Europe is an intersting patchwork of different cultures and way of seeing and doing things. The European Union and other bodies tend towards harmonization and this is working well. Regarding aviation regulation, the Joint Aviation Authorities made an amazing job. They even achieved to have the very neutral, non-EU member Switzerland to join.

National authorities have not been replaced by the JAA – this could be the case with the upcoming EASA – but they all apply the same rules. For example, my license has been issued by Switzerland, according to JAA rules. I renewed my instrument rating in France, few years ago. I got in contact with the Swiss Federal Office for Civil Aviation (FOCA) and the licensing division of the French DSNA to know how to proceed. I simply had to send the French form to the Swiss authority. It went like a breeze – my license was reprinted within a week.

When I started my MEP training, the question of using the checkride to renew my IFR as well popped up naturally. Getting a combined MEP / IR test flight results in an MEP class rating and corresponding Instrument Rating. If the pilot has a single engine instrument rating, passing an MEP / IR flight test revalidates it as well.

Because of a bad combination of weather and planning, my MEP / IR checkride took place one week after expiry of my SEP / IR rating. My SEP CR is still valid but the IFR was no longer. My German instructor told me that in Germany, passing the MEP / IR test would renew the SEP / IR as well. But this is now how the Swiss authority interprets the JAA regulations.

I received my reprinted license last week, with a new MEP rating and an IFR on top of that, but the IFR on top of my IFR has NOT been renewed. I checked with them, but I’ll have to re-take an SEP / IFR checkride to regain it. If I had converted my license to a German JAA one, this would not be an issue.

On the other hand, getting a German JAA license with instrument rating is not that easy. PPLs are managed by local, state managed offices. All higher ratings are managed by a nationwide agency. I would also need to get a German medical certificate, as it’s not possible to use a German JAA license with a Swiss JAA medical. Not sure the whole operation would have been cheaper than the required extra flight.

Shall we rename JAA to AJAA ? You know, the Alomst Joined Aviation Authorities ?