6 August 2013
The UK CAA has confirmed that it is engaging with the Light Aircraft Association to enable amateur-built and ex-type certified Permit aircraft – having agreed airworthiness characteristics and suitably equipped – to be relieved of their day/VFR limitation on a by-aircraft basis.
This accompanies the CAA’s announcement of an easing of operating restrictions on the UK’s sole airworthy Vulcan aircraft. The move allows the former RAF bomber to be now operated under daytime IFR rules and in IMC, it was previously limited to VFR daytime operations.
The VFR limitation had been a significant restriction to this historic aircraft built in 1960, and designed, as it was, from the outset to operate at high level in all-weather conditions and with a fatigue-limited airframe not suited to turbulence levels associated with low-level operation. The aircraft may now operate at altitudes and under flight rules which permit a greater degree of safety, fuel efficiency and longevity.
The Vulcan will become the first UK aircraft with a Permit to Fly to be allowed to operate under daytime IFR and in IMC, overturning the previous blanket VFR restriction on all ‘Permit’ aircraft.
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