Today (Thursday 17th October) the EASA Committee voted on the Qualifications for Flying in IMC proposal (Competancy Based Modular IR, Enroute IR).
* The proposal was amended to include English Language Proficiency for both IR and EIR
* The Article 4(8) exemption text was modified to not require English Language Proficiency
* In addition, the deadline for converting third country licences was extended by 12 months to 2015.
The proposal as amended was passed with no votes against.
While there is still a legislative step to go (Parliamentary scrutiny), it is now highly likely that they will become law in the first part of next year.
PPL/IR Europe and Europe Air Sports are delighted by the news of this success, and offer their thanks to the UK CAA, EASA, the European Commission, IAOPA-EUR and AOPA UK, all of whom worked hard to make this happen.
The upshot of this is that European pilots will now have a practical method to obtain an instrument qualification (previously they required to complete extended ground studies at approved training organisation, with a complete day of more of written exams, and then complete a course of at least 50 hours flying).
Work continues with the FAA and EASA on the BASA to allow FAA licence holders to convert to an EASA licence in a more practical manner.
A great day for GA in Europe