Extension of Deadlines

This is a message from Austrocontrol:

Dear Ladies and Gentlemen,

With reference to the constant changes and restrictions in connection with the outbreak of Covid-19, we would like to inform you about the current developments regarding our examination centres. Austro Control has submitted to EASA an “Exemption” based on Article 71(1), which we would like to add accordingly:

https://www.austrocontrol.at/jart/prj3/ac/data/dokumente/ZPH_LFA_LSA_026_2020-03-23_1603694.pdf

The content of this “exemption” is an exception in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2018/1139 Art 71 (1) to prevent negative consequences for civil aviation due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the associated restrictions on individual freedom. This automatically extends by 4 months all deadlines set out in Regulation (EU) No 1178/2011, Regulation (EU) No 1321/2014 Annex III and Regulation (EU) 2015/340 and implementing acts adopted on the basis thereof, which expire within 4 months of the entry into force of this derogation. 

As a result, all candidates who would have had the 18-month period to complete the theory test within the next four months will benefit from an automatic extension for a further four months. Should candidates continue to be affected by restrictions after this period, we will evaluate this and, if necessary, extend the period accordingly. All other affected deadlines will also be extended accordingly by the aforementioned period.

Furthermore, we are currently together with EASA evaluating the possibilities of compensating for an eventually longer-term cancellation of examination events and will inform you of any opportunities that arise.

We wish all our partners a soon end to the crisis and that we will see each other again in good health.

Exams and Coronavirus – Updated

CATS is in contact with several aviation authorities. This is the response from Austro control.

On the occasion of the decrees published by the Austrian Federal Government containing measures to contain the spread of the coronavirus, our invigilator staff is subject to a travel ban at the moment. Due to the recommendation of the Federal Government and the current situation, we also felt compelled to close our examination room in Vienna. Please be assured that we will try to develop and offer appropriate alternatives for the continuation of examination events.

As a first step, the upcoming examination events will be monitored by camera, if appropriate support can be offered by the respective flight school. In this way we try to avoid a cancellation of exam events, but are dependent on technical and personnel support. In this regard, the respective invigilator planned for the event will contact you immediately to discuss details. We ask you to inform your students accordingly and to encourage them to follow the information on our homepage.

In conclusion, we would like to ask for your understanding and help to deal with this situation in a professional and rational manner.

There follows a message from our Head of Training, Dr Stuart E. Smith:

If you are booked in for examinations at CATS LUTON please be assured that refunds will be processed should you require it.

• Do follow our social media posts for updates.
• We will also contact you directly on this matter.

From a technical point of view we can support these exams however Austro control will be informing me shortly of whether we get the go-ahead or not.

Update: Following communication with Austro Control on Monday 16th March 2020, it is the intention for the exams at Luton to proceed. Technical arrangements are currently been made with regard to invigilation this week.

That said, please be assured that the safety and health of the public is the utmost priority. 

CATS is currently taking precautions concerning examinations conducted at the Luton venue.

Candidates will be unable to enter the examination room if they have:

• have any symptoms that could be Coronavirus. The symptoms are a cough, or a high temperature or shortness of breath.
• been in contact with someone with confirmed Coronavirus in the last 15 days.

Candidates will be required to review and complete a declaration in accordance with the above when arriving at the venue for an examination.

At all times, candidates will follow the instructions of CATS staff including when a candidate may be declined entry to any examination should CATS staff conclude that there is a risk to safety and public health, including for that candidate and others. 

The Austro Control examinations may be cancelled (including at short notice) in response to an unforeseen or change in public health circumstances.  Such cancellations will be at the sole discretion of Austro Control and CATS.

Any travel and related expenses incurred by the candidate to attend examination(s) will not be refundable by CATS in the event a candidate is declined entry to an examination or if CATS or Austro Control cancels any examination.

The decision of a candidate to attend an examination is at the discretion of the candidate (and candidate consultation with their Approved Training Organisation, if applicable). We urge candidates to take this decision with care and with account to these extenuating circumstances and protecting public health. 

For a period of 3 ½ months, from 16 March 2020 to 1st July 2020, cancellation will incur a modest fee of 2 Euros per examination or free transfer to a future CATS Austro Control Luton examination sitting

Should there be any changes to the current status, CATS will take account of any recommendations from the relevant authorities and implement all appropriate instructions accordingly.