IMPORTANT NOTICE FOR PROFESSIONAL PILOTS HOLDING LICENCES ISSUED BY THE IRISH AVIATION AUTHORITY

Urgent Notification re IAA Medicals

This is an urgent notification for professional pilots with licences issued by the IAA (Irish Aviation Authority) and who depend upon a validation of their Irish licence for employment. (Obviously this group does include those A330 pilots currently considering positions with Arik Air).
A recent unannounced and unexplained change to IAA aeromedical administration may result in an apparently irreversible administrative endorsement of your licence. Initial pilot feedback suggests this will not be accepted by certain employers and aviation administrations, particularly outside of Europe. To date three pilots have reported problems and serious risk to their continued employment.
The following is the new endorsement in the limitations section of licenses:

” REV: medical certificate issued after review procedures, special instructions may apply, AMS may be contacted.”

It is most important to note that this endorsement can be applied even though there has been a satisfactory medical assessment and the pilot’s medical licensing status has not changed since the previous medical examination. There is no indication of this endorsement given in advance and, to date, no written explanation has been given to the pilots affected.
The Aeromedical Section of the IAA did not consult with IALPA prior to the introduction of this change. All indications are that this action is an independent (and unexplained) initiative of the Irish Aviation Authority. It apparently does not relate to any EASA (European Aviation Safety Agency) requirement, nor is it used/applied by any other Aviation Authority of which we have knowledge.
The initial response of the IAA indicates they will not be in a position to address this matter in a period of less than three weeks. A final resolution may take considerably longer, based on previous experience.
It is difficult to provide advice about a matter that has not been explained or clarified. However, the endorsement to licenses seem to relate to prior (pre-existing) medical matters/status (not necessarily illness) at least one of which goes back to childhood. (It must be emphasised that this is a description based on information provided by pilots to IALPA; it may be an incorrect assessment).
However IALPA suggests that:

ALL PILOTS WHO RELY ON A VALIDATION OF THEIR IRISH LICENCE FOR EMPLOYMENT PURPOSES ARE RECOMMENDED TO INFORM THEMSELVES ABOUT THIS MATTER.

SOME MAY CONSIDER IT APPROPRIATE TO SERIOUSLY CONSIDER ALTERNATIVE LICENSING ARRANGEMENTS PRIOR TO LICENCE RENEWAL.

 
Updates and information on developments will be posted on the IALPA website. This will be the primary means of communication regarding this matter
For further information members should contact: +353 1844 5272
IALPA will respond to the maximum extent possible by e-mail queries from non-members; e-mail: admin@ialpa.net