Another chapter of European harmonisation
The introduction of the European licensing system is one of the biggest changes in general aviation in recent decades. Whereas previously almost every country had its own pilot licences, training standards and ratings, Europe is now pursuing the goal of uniform aviation law.
Since the introduction of EASA licences, millions of flight hours have been completed under a common regulatory framework. Nevertheless, numerous pilots who completed their training under older national regulations and still hold historical German licences continue to exist.
To continue to offer these licence holders a clear path into the modern European system, the Federal Ministry of Transport has comprehensively updated the existing conversion procedures. The new notice replaces several older regulations and takes into account the currently applicable European regulations for aeroplanes, helicopters, gliders, motor gliders and balloons.
Which pilots are affected
The new regulation is primarily aimed at holders of older German pilot licences, which were obtained before the full introduction of EASA licences.
This includes, in particular:
- National Private Pilot Licences for Aeroplanes
- National helicopter licences
- Gliding licences under former German law
- Motor sailer licences
- Balloon pilot licences
- previous teaching qualifications
- Night flight ratings
- Aerobatic ratings
Many of these licences still date from a time when the LuftPersV formed the central basis for pilot training in Germany.
Although the number of affected pilots is continuously decreasing, there are still numerous licence holders, particularly in air sports clubs and among long-serving private pilots, who began their flying careers decades ago.
Conversion of pilot licences
The new regulations are particularly relevant for holders of older national private pilot licences for aeroplanes.
Anyone who holds a historic PPL(A) ICAO or a national PPL(A) can still have it converted into a European licence. There are fundamentally two ways to do this.
For one thing, a conversion to a LAPL(A) is possible. This licence is specifically tailored to the needs of leisure pilots and permits the flying of light aircraft within the European system.
Alternatively, a full PPL(A) can be applied for under European law. However, this requires additional prerequisites. In addition to language skills and knowledge of current European regulations, minimum flight experience and a practical examination must also be demonstrated.
It is worth noting that the practical test does not merely assess flying skills. Knowledge of aviation law and human performance is also explicitly tested.
Old teaching qualifications remain valuable
Many long-serving flight instructors still hold national instructor ratings that were issued before the current FI(A) ratings were introduced.
The new regulation continues to allow their conversion into European flight instructor qualifications. However, certain conditions must be met for this. These include, among other things, up-to-date flying experience, training hours as a flight instructor, and proof of ongoing professional qualification.
It is interesting to note that, initially, older instructor ratings are often restricted to training for the LAPL. Anyone wishing to make full use of a modern FI(A) rating must provide additional evidence.
This ensures that flight instructors not only have historical experience but are also familiar with today’s training standards.
Night flying and aerobatics will continue
There is some good news for many experienced pilots regarding the conversion of existing night flying and aerobatics ratings.
Anyone who has previously obtained a corresponding national qualification can generally have it transferred to the corresponding European qualifications.
This is particularly important for aerobatic pilots, as many of those currently active completed their training long before the EASA regulations were introduced.
Recognising prior learning prevents unnecessary duplication of assessment and acknowledges the experience already gained.
New clarity for helicopter pilots
Helicopter pilots also benefit from the updated notice.
The requirements for converting older national PPL(H) licences into LAPL(H) or PPL(H) licences under European law are now clearly set out.
As with pilot licences, flying experience, language skills and knowledge of current European regulations play a key role in this regard.
As the helicopter sector is traditionally more heavily regulated and often involves professional applications, the new regulations provide additional legal certainty, particularly for experienced private pilots.
Gliding is being given a modern foundation
The regulations for glider pilots are particularly extensive.
Gliding has a long tradition in Germany. Many pilots active today completed their training under regulations that predate the current European rules by a considerable margin.
Conversion to the modern SPL licence will still be possible, but it requires knowledge of current gliding regulations and, in some cases, additional examinations. At the same time, existing privileges and take-off types will largely be retained.
For clubs, this means greater planning certainty, as older licence holders can continue to be integrated into the European system without having to effectively start their flying careers from scratch.
Motor glider pilots benefit from special regulations
Historical motor-sailer licences are a special case.
This licence category was a firm fixture of the German aviation landscape for many decades and was treated differently in other European countries.
The new notice takes account of the various previous entries and provides several options for conversion. Depending on the nature of their existing rights, motor glider pilots will in future be able to obtain either a glider licence or an aeroplane licence.
This provides a practical solution, particularly for pilots of older touring motor gliders, enabling them to continue flying.
Balloonists will be fully integrated
Balloonists and hot air airship pilots have also been included in the new regulation.
Historical German balloon pilot licences can be converted into the European BPL licence. Existing classes and experience levels will be taken into account as far as possible.
This is particularly important as ballooning is traditionally heavily influenced by experienced pilots, who often acquired their licences decades ago.
The new regulation ensures that this experience can continue to be utilised while meeting the requirements of modern European aviation law.
Why the update was necessary
At first glance, the publication may appear to be a purely administrative measure.
However, it actually reflects the ongoing development of European aviation law. Since the original introduction of EASA licences, numerous regulations have been adapted multiple times. New licence categories have emerged, existing rules have been clarified, and additional requirements have been introduced.
Without an update to the transformation procedures, numerous references to outdated regulations would have arisen. The new notice therefore ensures that old national licences can continue to be transferred into today's system in a legally secure manner.
Significance for general aviation
For the majority of active private pilots, little will change in the short term. Those who already hold an EASA licence are not affected by the new regulations.
Nevertheless, the publication holds considerable significance for General Aviation. It ensures that experienced pilots with historical licences continue to have a clear path into the modern European system. At the same time, it prevents valuable flying experience from being lost.
Especially given the increasing pilot shortage in many areas of aviation, this is an important contribution to the preservation of flying competence.
Conclusion
The updated conversion procedures create clarity for a generation of pilots whose flying careers began under national regulations. Aeroplane, helicopter, glider, motor glider and balloon pilots will continue to have the opportunity to convert their historical ratings into modern European licences.
The announcement also shows how consistently European harmonisation is being implemented. While national peculiarities are increasingly disappearing, there still remains scope to recognise previously acquired qualifications and to enable experienced pilots to make a straightforward transition to the current licensing system.
Source references:
NFL
