⚠️ What is MEP(land) Renewal ✈️
MEP(land) proficiency check or license proficiency check is the term also associated with class rating renewal procedure. The renewal checkride - with an EASA examiner for re-validation of your current MEP(land) class rating for next period of validity. We are talking about MEP(land) classrating renewal proficiency check when the class rating has been expired - even for 1 day. Renewal of class rating MEP(land) may also be combined with renewal of class related instrument rating.
MEP(land) Renewal Proficiency check may also be combined with the prof check required and directed by Operational suitability data for the particular variant of multi-engine aeroplane.
EASA MEP(land) renewal procedure
Common procedure called proficiency check or license proficiency check - LPC applies for both revalidation and also renewal of the class rating MEP(land). Proficiency check for renewal of the multi-engine MEP(land) class rating is subject of paragraph FCL.740(b). The proficiency check has to be done by either class rating examiner - CRE MEP(land) or by Flight Examiner - FE(A) with MEP(land) privileges. MEP(land) renewal LPC is subject of recommendation by the flight school. The ATO has to establish the renewal procedure to re-gain the skills and proficiency required for MEP(land) holder. That means it is necessary to involve flight school (ATO) to renew MEP(land) privileges.
In order to renew class rating MEP(land) you have to fulfuill the requirements of FCL.740(b) as follows:
- complete a MEP(land) proficiency check in accordance with Appendix 9 to Part FCL with EASA examiner;
- prior to the MEP(land) proficiency check referred to in point, complete a refresher training at an ATO if deemed necessary by the ATO to reach the level of proficiency to safely operate the MEP(land) class, except if it holds a valid rating for the same class or type of aircraft on a pilot licence issued by a third country in accordance with Annex 1 to the Chicago Convention and if it is entitled to exercise the privileges of that rating.
This means, if you have your MEP(land) class rating expired in your EASA flight crew license and at the same time you hold valid MEP(land) class rating in your ICAO flight crew license (e.g. FAA license) you. are exempted from attending refresher training.
Refresher training for MEP(land) renewal
FCL.740(b) requires to attend the renewal refresher training in flight school as a part of the MEP(land) renewal procedure. Than AMC1 FCL.740(b) describes furhter the content and purpose of refresher training required for class rating renewal.
The objective of the MEP(land) refresher training is for the applicant to reach the level of proficiency necessary to safely operate the particular variant constituted in MEP(land) class rating endorsement. The amount of refresher training needed is determined on a case-by-case basis by the flight school, taking into account the following factors:
- the experience of the applicant;
- the amount of time elapsed since the privileges of the rating were last used;
- the complexity of the aircraft;
- whether the applicant has a current rating on another aircraft type or class; and
- where considered necessary, the performance of the applicant during a simulated proficiency check for the rating in an FSTD or an aircraft of the relevant type or class.
It should be expected that the amount of training needed to reach the desired level of proficiency will increase analogously to the time elapsed since the privileges of the rating were last used. Nevertheless taking into account the factors listed iabove, the flight school may also decide that the applicant already possesses the required level of proficiency and that no refresher training is necessary. In such a case, the certificate or other documental evidence should contain a respective statement including sufficient reasoning.
After having determined the needs of the applicant, the flight school should develop an individual training programme based on the initial MEP(land) training, focusing on the aspects where the applicant has shown the greatest needs.
With the exception of MEP(land) refresher training referred to in point FCL.740(b)(2)(i), refresher training should include theoretical knowledge instruction, as necessary, such as for type-specific system failures in complex aircraft. The performance of the applicant should be reviewed during the training and additional instruction should be provided to the applicant, where necessary, to reach the standard required for the MEP(land) proficiency check.
After successful completion of the training the flight school should issue the applicant with a training completion certificate or another document specified by the competent authority, describing the evaluation of the factors essential for the scope of the refresher training, the refresher training received, and a statement that the refresher training has been successfully completed. The training completion certificate should be presented to the EASA examiner prior to the proficiency check. Following the successful renewal of the MEP(land) class rating, the training completion certificate or the other document specified by the competent authority and the examiner report form should be submitted to the state of license issue - SOLI.
Scope of ✈️ MEP(land) proficiency check
EASA proficiency check MEP(land) for revalidation of class rating for multi-engine aeroplanes is subject to the paragraph FCL.740.A(a)(1). The scope of the flight training as well as the checkride with examiner is described in Appendix 9 of Part-FCL, Regulation (EC) 1178/2011.
MEP(land) holder has to demonstrate ability to perform maneuvers, procedures on that particular variant of multi-engine piston aeroplane with competency appropriate to the privileges granted as an pilot in command (PIC) to the flight examiner - FE(A), or to the class rating examiner - CRE MEP(land).
The duration of entire MEP(land) license proficiency check takes approximately 2 up to 3 hours total. The flight with the EASA flight examiner takes approximately 1 hour up to 1 hour 30 minutes of the block time. The rest of the time is used for the preparation of the check flight (route planning, briefing, debriefing and any oral theoretical knowledge examination).
The MEP(land) LPC includes following items:
- general handling of the aeroplane (normal procedures)
- general handling of the aeroplane (abnormal and emergency procedures)
- flight with one engine inoperative (asymmetric flight)
- cross country VFR or IFR flight via planned route (1 track segment of at min. 15 minutes)
- use of radio navigation aids (VOR, LOC, ILS, GNSS)
Route of the cross-country flight will be chosen by the flight examiner. The candidate is responsible for flight planning and he is also responsible to ensure that all equipment and all documents, certificates and materials required for the flight are on board of the aircraft during the EASA checkride. When instrument rating is being revalidated, the route sector usually consists of the IFR enroute flight.
Pass criteria ✅ of EASA MEP(land) renewal prof check
Conditions for pass of the MEP(land) renewal LPC are the same as for any other EASA class rating proficiency check for single pilot aeroplane and exactly the same like for MEP(land) revalidation LPC.
EASA MEP(land) proficiency check is split into different sections representing the different phases of flight at the appropriate category (aeroplanes) and specific class of the aeroplane - multi engine piston - MEP(Land) of the aeroplane used for the prof check.
We are authorised to provide an EASA LPC for revalidation of the multi-engine piston class rating in various variants of MEP(land) class for example:
- Diamond DA-42 Twin Star
- Piper PA-34 Seneca
- Tecnam P2006T
- Cessna C414 Chancellor
- Cessna C421 Golden Eagle
- and many other
Validity of MEP(land) class rating
Validity of the EASA multi-engine piston MEP(land) class rating in accordance with FCL.740(a) is 12 months (1 year). The validity period starts by the day of the EASA MEP(land) prof check and ends up by the last day of the month plus 12 months. The validity of the MEP(land) class rating can be again revalidated 90 days prior expiry date with keeping current expiry pattern.