Flight Crew Licensing

HC Deb 02 March 1999 vol 326 cc621-2W

Mr. Bob Russell

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what action he will take to ensure that all EU countries implement the Joint Aviation Authorities' Requirements on Flight Crew Licensing by 1 July 1999, with particular reference to pilots in the age group 60 to 65 years. [73487]

Ms Glenda Jackson

This Government take very seriously the implementation of the Joint Aviation Requirements on Flight Crew Licensing (JAR-FCL,) in order to harmonise the standards for licensing pilots in the 29 member states of the Joint Aviation Authorities (JAA). The requirements will enable pilots to operate aircraft up to the age of 65 years either as Pilot-in-Command or Co-Pilot, provided that only one pilot in the crew is 60 or over.

It will be for individual states to decide how to implement JAR-FCL with respect to their airspace, but we have urged JAA states to apply it consistently.

We understand that the European Commission aims to bring forward, this year, proposals to incorporate the JAR-FCL provisions into EU legislation.