EASA PART-FCL New Syllabus implementation

Following a conversation with the UK CAA today:

A New theoretical knowledge Syllabus will be implemented in parallel with the existing Old Syllabus by CATS from 1st August 2020 and independently the UK CAA will offer New Syllabus exams utilising ECQB2020 from 1st August 2020.

From the 1^st January 2021 candidates will not be able to take Old Syllabus exams utilising ECQB06 for their first attempt.

ECQB06 will remain available in parallel with ECQB2020 until the end of June 2022 for candidates who have already started the Old syllabus series.

The latest date for a student to take their first exam utilising the existing Old Syllabus is 31st December 2020 permitting a full 18 months to complete their exam series on the Old Syllabus utilising ECQB06. 

The advice from CATS is that if you wish to remain with a familiar Old Syllabus and to take ECQB06 exams then enrol with CATS at least 3 months before the 31st December 2020 cut-off date to commence an initial attempt at the Old Syllabus series exams before 31st December 2020.

Dr Stuart E. Smith CATS

UK CAA exams will proceed at CATS Luton on 6-10 th July

We received today news that the Austro Control exams for July 2020 are cancelled

We are in frequent discussions with Austro Control regarding exam delivery and latest updates will be communicated via social media and via the CATS News section of our website.

You can now:

1. transfer without charge a booking to later in the year
2. request a refund which will incur a modest 2-3 euro charge

We are preparing procedures at CATS for the return to training and examinations as soon as practicably possible

Procedures will be employed for the safe delivery of exams which will include but are not exclusive to:

1. Self-declaration of lack of recent exposure to and lack of COVID-19 symptoms
2. Completion of a short information briefing of how to reduce COVID-19 exposure
3. Remote forehead temperature-sensing
4. Regular exam station sanitisation 
5. Deployment of PPE including face masks and hand sanitisers for use at each exam station
6. A limitation to the availability of the number of exam stations to 4
7. Directed entry and exit to the building and exam room

I wish you well in these times – Dr Stuart E. Smith

Austro Control exams are cancelled for 11-12th June 2020 in Luton

Due to UK Government COVID-19 restrictions Austro Control exams are cancelled.

The next available exam dates are 16-17th July 2020.

Austro Control have confirmed with CATS that the exams will be video-monitored should they proceed in the Luton exam centre at CATS.

Procedures will be employed for the safe delivery of exams which will include but are not exclusive to:

1. Self-declaration of lack of recent exposure to and lack of COVID-19 symptoms
2. Completion of a short information briefing of how to reduce COVID-19 exposure
3. Remote forehead temperature-sensing
4. Regular exam station sanitisation 
5. Deployment of PPE including face masks and hand sanitisers for use at each exam station
6. A limitation to the availability of the number of exam stations to 4
7. Directed entry and exit to the building and exam room

It should be noted that these exams could be cancelled as matters in the UK unfold regarding the UK government restrictions on travel. As such please note that bookings  for exams should be made with this in mind.

Refunds are subject to a modest 2-3 euro per exam fee. Alternatively bookings may be held on the system for a later date.

Further updates will be posted as they become available on CATS social media sites and in the News section of the CATS website

Dr Stuart E. Smith

Latest from the UK CAA:

Following an Exam Board meeting, the UK CAA will be cancelling sessions up to and including the 12th June.
 
From the 15th June the UK CAA are looking at reducing the number of seats available in all venues to a maximum of 10 (venue permitting). For smaller venues this will be adjusted accordingly.
 
The COVID-19 and exams page on the CAA website will be updated accordingly and can be found here:

https://www.caa.co.uk/Our-work/Newsroom/COVID-19-guidance-for-commercial-and-recreational-aviation/

CAA UPDATE

A New theoretical knowledge Syllabus will be implemented by CATS from 1st August 2020 and independently the UK CAA will offer New exams ECQB2020 from that date.

Existing students and any students who enrol with CATS up until 31st July 2020 will be on the existing Old Syllabus and the existing Old Syllabus will have exams available in parallel utilising ECQB06.

From the 1^st January 2021 candidates will not be able to book ECQB06 for their first attempt, but ECQB06 will remain available in parallel with ECQB2020 until the end of June 2022 for candidates who have already started the series.

The advice from CATS is if you wish to remain with a familiar Old Syllabus and to take ECQB06 exams then enrol with CATS before the 31st July 2020 cut-off date.

On another point nothing has changed with respect to further news from CATS that the UK CAA still have suspended exams in all UK and European venues until the 15^th May 2020.

At this time there is no further update on when the UK CAA we will be resuming testing, but the advice is that the UK CAA like us are closely monitoring Governmental guidance at all locations and are actively developing ‘return to service’ plans and processes including how to clear any backlog as effectively as practicable.  When they are confident that it is safe for both candidates and invigilators and that they can remain within the required Authority directions, they will assess all venues for their suitability to recommence examinations by mutual agreement with the venue operator.

Dr Stuart E. Smith CATS