Govt extends Electronic Conspicuity rebate... again

The UK govt scheme to refund 50% of the cost of purchase for an Electronic Conspicuity device has been extended again – this time until 31 March 2023.

The scheme was launched in October 2020 by the Department for Transport (DfT) and is open to the UK’s General Aviation (GA) and Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) communities.

The UK CAA’s website which handles the rebate scheme says it will remain open to applications until 31 March 2023 or until the funding is used. Those meeting the requirements can claim a 50% rebate of the purchase cost of an EC device to a maximum of £250.00 (including VAT), per applicant.

Requirements:

• Funding is for carry-on or aircraft-fitted devices only. Ground system components do not qualify for this scheme
• Applicants can claim once for a single rebate of 50% – up to £250 – on EC equipment purchased. Organisations/charities can claim for multiple devices on the same rebate terms
• Applicants to claim for equipment purchased up to 31 March 2023
• If the funding allocated (up to 3,500 rebates) is used before 31 March 2023 an earlier closing date will be agreed and published
• You must produce a proof of purchase receipt

In addition. you must hold at least one of the following UK issued pilot licences (UK or EASA part FCL):

• Private Pilot’s Licence (PPL)
• Commercial Pilot’s Licence (CPL)
• National PPL (NPPL)
• Sailplane Pilot’s Licence (SPL)
• Balloon Pilot’s Licence (BPL)
• Light Aircraft Pilot’s Licence (LAPL)

* Or be a registered member of the British Gliding Association (BGA), holding a current ‘Pilot’ or ‘Club Pilot’ rating, or a registered pilot of the Association of Paragliding Pilots and Instructors (APPI) and a UK resident.

* Alternatively, if you are UAS/UAV operator then you must hold an authorisation issued specifically to them by the CAA (i.e. a permission, exemption or “operational authorisation”). General Exemptions, permissions or authorisations which are aimed at a wider and non-specific group of operators are not included.

Acceptable equipment

The main equipment able to be used on an aircraft for EC purposes currently available (and that a refund can be claimed against) includes:

• ADS-B Out capable transponder inclusive of GNSS position source (Mode S ES Enabled)
• ADS-B Out capable transponder without GNSS position source (Mode S ES)
• Certified GNSS source for Mode S ES transponders (Including a GNSS position sources in line with the recently published AIC2019Y141, example being Trig TN72)
• FLARM
• Power FLARM
• Pilot Aware Rosetta
• Sky Echo 2

Requests from device manufacturers for alternative or newly developed equipment to be added on a case by case basis. At a minimum, devices need to be emitting and/or transmitting position and speed information on a dedicated frequency.

Full details

See also:
FLYER‘s Electronic Conspicuity device test from October 2020
Other news on Electronic Conspicuity