General aviation news archive for May 2014

The CAA has today launched a consultation on its future policy for General Aviation (GA) regulation. It builds on the recent GA Red Tape Challenge and the formation of the CAA's first dedicated GA unit and will define how the CAA regulates GA on a day-to-day basis.

The LAA has released a press release about the CAA's highly-anticipated temporary exemption for the deregulation of single-seat microlights (exemption E3795), which in effect expands the SSDR category to include a significantly broader range of microlights. Owners of any single-seat microlight are now able to opt in to the exemption issued by the CAA which allows them to operate without a Permit to Fly. The temporary exemption will be replaced by a permanent change to the Air Navigation Order in 2015. The LAA points out, however, that those who have been following the debate will notice that the final outcome is different from what was proposed earlier. In a move that has disappointed the LAA and BMAA, CAA has decided that once the ANO has been changed to incorporate the content of the exemption they intend that there will be no option to continue holding a Permit. This means that unlike many other changes to the regulations, there will be no ‘grandfathering rights’ offered to existing aircraft, and those members who were keen to continue operating in the permit regime will no longer have that option.

Two more UK International airports, Belfast International and Leeds/Bradford International have just joined the AOPA "Strasser Scheme". This is timely news as General Aviation celebrates the 16th Anniversary of the AOPA "Strasser Scheme". Only 5 airports remain, Bournemouth, Cardiff, London Luton, Lydd and Manchester, who refuse to join this potentially life saving CAA recommended scheme.

The LAA has announced that they have been granted permission by the CAA to carry out actual proving trials in night and IMC conditions to validate the work that has been done to develop the additional requirements necessary for night/IFR approval in permit aircraft.

Effective immediately, single-seat fixed wing microlight aeroplanes no longer need to be regulated for airworthiness purposes, the CAA has confirmed. The move, which follows an extensive consultation exercise, means qualifying aircraft no longer need a Permit to Fly to operate in the UK.