23 July 2008
The CAA has issued two exemptions which will make life easier for pilots of some light aircraft.
The first is to expand “an exemption to allow the holder of a UK issued pilot’s licence to continue flying microlights, self launching motor gliders (SLMG) and simple single engine aircraft (SSEA) if they hold a medical declaration from their general practitioner (GP).” Previously pilots would have required a full JAA medical from an AME. NPPLs can already fly with a medical declaration from a GP.
Ben Alcott from the Personnel Licensing Dept made it clearer: “Prior to the exemption any pilot that could no longer meet the international medical requirements, and wished to continue flying, would have had to obtain a National Private Pilot’s Licence (NPPL) that requires the lesser medical declaration from their GP. We’ve now removed that step from the process and made it easier for pilots to retain their licence.”
If a pilot chooses to follow this route then their existing pilot’s licence will remain valid until it expires. If the pilot then chooses to renew their licence it will revert to an NPPL.
As soon as a pilot moves from a full international medical to a medical declaration from their GP then their pilot’s licence will assume the freedoms and restrictions of the NPPL. The revised general exemption does not allow the privileges of a PPL, BCPL, CPL or ATPL to be exercised on the basis of a medical declaration.
Click <a href=’http://www.caa.co.uk/docs/33/ORS4_689.pdf’ target=’_blank’>here</a> to read the full exemption.
The second exemption deals with flying over built-up areas. Certain aircraft flying on a Permit to Fly may now “operate over congested areas, provided that such flights are conducted within the rules of the air.” Previously all aircraft that operated on a Permit to Fly rather than a C of A were banned from overflying built-up areas.
“The exemption applies to microlights, amateur-built aeroplanes with a maximum take-off mass not exceeding 1,500kg, and factory-built aeroplanes with a take-off mass not exceeding 1,500kg that have previously been eligible for a C of A. The exemption does not apply to any aircraft being flown on a test, permit renewal or modification approval flight. Other aircraft that operate on a permit to fly and aircraft above 1,500kg, such as ex-military aircraft, are still prohibited from overflying congested areas.”
Padhraic Kelleher, Head of the Airworthiness Division in the CAA’s Safety Regulation Group, said: “We are pleased to have been able to accept the case made by the Light Aircraft Association and others that this restriction can be removed without increasing the risk to the public.”
Read the full exemption <a href=’http://www.caa.co.uk/docs/33/ORS4_691.pdf’ target=’_blank’>here</a>.
