WRITTEN QUESTION E-1846/00

by Christopher Huhne (ELDR) to the Commission

(9 June 2000)

Subject: Licensing and supervision of aircraft pilots

Does the Commission regard the present arrangements for the licensing and supervision of aircraft pilots in the Member States as satisfactory?

In particular, does it see any potential conflict of interest in the fact that examiners responsible for testing pilots are employed by industry rather than by a government agency (as is normal in connection with the licensing of car drivers)?

To what extent have qualifications now been mutually recognised by Member States?

Answer given by Mrs de Palacio on behalf of the Commission

(24 July 2000)

There is no Community legislation at the moment on the licensing and monitoring of the professional ability of aircraft pilots.

The Commission does not consider that there is a gap in the existing arrangement in the Member States in this area but, rather with a view to introducing joint rules and requirements for the licensing of pilots, it plans to put forward, during the last quarter of the year, a legislative proposal on the basis of the Joint Aviation Requirement-Flight Crew Licensing (JAR-FCL), which was developed by the Joint Aviation Authorities (JAA) and has already been adopted by some Member States. This text is the result of consultations with the participation of both representatives of the industry and the professions concerned and also includes provisions on instructors and examiners.

With regard to the specific question of examiners responsible for testing pilots being employed by industry rather than by a government agency, there might be a certain conflict of interest; however, this situation arises from the need for such examiners to have the experience and high number of flying hours which they can only acquire by exercising their profession. When the above specific joint rules are being considered, care will have to be taken to ensure a fair balance between the two requirements of independence and expertise by laying down clear, strict rules for the exercise of the profession of examiner.

With regard to the mutual acceptance of personnel licences for the exercise of functions in civil aviation, there is Council Directive 91/67/EEC of 16 December 1991(1), but this is concerned only with personnel performing duties essential to the operation of an aircraft during flight time. This therefore excludes examiners and instructors, for whom, depending on the level of training required in the Member States, the mutual recognition of qualifications is dealt with either by Council Directive 89/48/EEC of 21 December 1988 on a general system for the recognition of higher-education diplomas awarded on completion of professional education and training of at least three years' duration(2), or Council Directive 92/51/EEC of 18 June 1992 on a second general system for the recognition of professional education and training to supplement Directive 89/48/EEC(3).

(1) OJ L 373, 31.12.1991.

(2) OJ L 19, 24.1.1989.

(3) OJ L 209, 24.7.1992.