22 March 2018
About one-quarter of ELA1 aircraft operated privately have not yet transferred to a Self-Declared Maintenance Programme (SDMP) and will not be legal to fly after 31 May 2018, the CAA has warned.
ELA1 aircraft are EASA-regulated aircraft with a Maximum Take-off Mass of 1,200kg or less, non complex and not involved in commercial operations.
These aircraft were supposed to have transferred to a Part M compliant programme, such as Minimum Inspection Programme (MIP) or a programme based on manufacturer’s recommendations, by 30 September 2017. Owners were originally advised through the issue of CAP 1454 in October 2016.
“A recent CAA telephone poll of CAMO organisations indicated that transfer to an M.A.302 compliant programme was approximately 70-75%,” says a statement from the CAA.
“Owners, CAMOs, maintenance companies and authorised certifying staff must make every effort to ensure that all remaining eligible aircraft have transferred but in any case no later than 31 May 2018.
“Aircraft that are eligible and have not transferred after this date will have invalidated their Certificate or Airworthiness and shall not fly.
“Failure to transition may result in an aircraft being grounded and could lead to suspension of the Certificate of Airworthiness.”
