Under the current circumstances, following the outbreak of “COVID-19” virus, EASA has informed the member States, Latvia among others, about the possibility of exemptions being issued under the “Exemption” arrangements. The exemptions gives Latvia the possibility to extend the period of validity of the rating, certificate, training and checking and the certificates if there is not possible to comply with the requirements of Regulation No 1178/2011 related to “COVID-19”.
An extension is possible by 4 months on valid rating/certificates and it may be extended by a further period of 4 months if necessary, but the last validity date must not be beyond November 22nd, 2020.
The exemption is applicable only to a holders of pilot licences whose ratings expire between 23.03.2020 and 31.07.2020.
1. Extension of type and instrument ratings.
Annex I (Part-FCL) to Regulation No 1178/2011, type and instrument ratings associated with a commercial licence (CPL, MPL & ATPL) and excersising privileges in accordance with Annex III (Part ORO) to Regulation (EU) No 965/2012 can be extended by 4 months, but not beyond November 22nd, 2020.
Risk mitigation actions:Operators shall organise refresher training, which shall include normal and abnormal procedures for the specific aircraft type, and instrument rating (IR) if applicable. After completion of the training the operator shall assess the knowledge of licence holder in question by means acceptable by the operator (i.e. multi-choice questions, interview with a TRI or similar).
An operator shall be required to keep records of training and knowledge assessment.
Implementation, if licence is endorsed by TRE/SFE : after risk mitigation action successfully has been completed, a licence shall be endorsed with new date of rating validity by TRE/SFE holding relevant privileges. The examiner is allowed to extend validity of the ratings by the period not exceeding 4 months, i.e. if previous validity date was 30.04.2020, new validity date shall not exceed 31.08.2020. TRE/SFE has to check completion of risk mitigation action as stated above. Licence entry and reporting to CAA of Latvia shall be accomplished using standard rating revalidation and examiner’s reporting procedure. Examiner shall submit following documents by e-mail to REPORTS@caa.gov.lv:
- confirmation of refresher training and knowledge assessment signed by the operator;
- copy of endorsed licence;
- examiner’s documents.
Implementation, if licence endorsement by examiner is not possible: after the risk mitigation action successfully has been completed, a licence holder shall submit following documents by email to REPORTS@caa.gov.lv:
- confirmation of refresher training and knowledge assessment signed by the operator;
- copy of licence;
In case if submitted documents satisfy the requirements of this Exemption, the CAA of Latvia will send a confirmation email to the licence holder with new validity date of the rating. When exercising licence privileges, the licence holder shall have with him a printed copy of Exemption together with this confirmation email.
2. Extension of instructor and examiner certificates.
Annex I (Part-FCL) to Regulation No 1178/2011instructor and examiner certificates which are directly involved in training and assessment of the competences mentioned in paragraph 1 can be extended by up to 8 months, however not beyond November 22nd, 2020.
Risk mitigation actions: not applicable.
Implementation (for an instructor):TRE/SFE with appropriate privileges or the CAA of Latvia may extend instructor privileges by making an entry into the instructor's pilot licence. The new validity date shall not exceed 22.11.2020. The entry shall be made and notified to the CAA of Latvia as specified in paragraph 1.
Implementation (for an examiner):The operator shall provide information to the CAA of Latvia on TRE/SFE certificates expiring at or before 31.07.2020 accompanied by copies of TRE/SFE certificates, copies of the pilot licence and evidece of the tests/checks performed by the examiner during the period of validity of the examiner's certificate, including the tests and checks performed during last 12 months of validity. The CAA of Latvia will assess the applicability to compliance and, if applicable, issue new TRE/SFE certificates with new validity date. The new validity date will not exceed 22.11.2020.
3. Extension of English language proficiency validity.
Annex I (Part-FCL) to Regulation No 1178/2011English language proficiency validity is extended till November 22nd, 2020.
Risk mitigation actions:not applicable.
Implementation:No entry is required in the licence. The pilot must be accompanied by a copy of the LV exemption 711/20/0154.
4. Abbreviated procedure for extension of ratings’ validity
