With the European Union Commission nearing a vote on adopting EU-wide pilot certification rules, AOPA is warning that the package — which does not include acceptance of third-country pilot credentials — would erect trade barriers with consequences felt in the U.S. flight training and manufacturing sectors, according to a report at AOPA.org.
The story notes that pilots who complete their flight training in the United States would be required to repeat most of the same training upon returning to an EU state, and it would render the FAA instrument rating useless in Europe. U.S. aircraft manufactures and flight training schools will suffer from a downturn in business from Europe as it is unlikely anyone would invest getting a U.S. aircraft or license which lasts for one or two years, said Craig Spence, AOPA vice president of operations and international affairs. Read the full report here.
