2 July 2010
The CAA has announced that owners of a part share in an aircraft operating under a Permit to Fly can now use it to receive paid flying training. Following discussions with GA organisations, the CAA has undertaken measures that allow pilots with an existing licence, who are group owners of an aircraft, to pay for training or tests in that aircraft – providing the training does not contribute to the granting of a licence or rating. The new rules do not cover ex-military aircraft or gyroplanes.
Previously, only group owners of factory built ‘type approved’ microlight aircraft were allowed to pay for training in their own aircraft. The new rules extend this to all part owners of Permit to Fly aircraft and could allow, for example, a group owner to pay an instructor for a refresher flight if they have not flown for some time, or a familiarisation flight in a new aircraft they have not flown before, or even to learn a new skill like short field landings.
Chris Finnigan, of the CAA’s Flight Operations Inspectorate (General Aviation), said: “Until now, owners of jointly-owned aircraft have not been able to pay for flying training in their own aircraft. This meant either hiring another aircraft or finding an instructor who was willing to work for free. We believe that allowing joint owners to pay for training in their own aircraft is a positive step towards improving General Aviation safety.”
The CAA is currently reviewing the policy on training in ex-military aircraft and gyroplanes.
The permission, published in the Official Record Series as 802 and 803 can be found here <a href=”http://www.caa.co.uk/ors4″>Click here for more</a>
