31 October 2014
The UK CAA has announced it will withdraw the ‘overflight restriction’ from the ‘Permit Operating Limitations’ of factory-built, type-approved gyroplanes. The move comes after careful consideration of the risks, which the CAA said had left it confident that the appropriate levels of safety could be achieved.
Unlike many aircraft currently operating on Permits, gyroplanes have not previously been allowed to overfly congested areas at any height. From today that restriction will no longer apply. Pilots must however, be able to demonstrate they can manoeuvre their gyroplane clear of a built up area should it suffer a failure preventing continued safe flight, such as an engine failure.
A general exemption has now been issued and the CAA will write to individual aircraft owners confirming the new policy.
Putting the decision in context, the CAA’s Richard Craske, Head of the Gyroplane Panel of Examiners, said, “This is a positive recognition of the safety standards now being achieved by the Gyroplane community. The introduction of new airworthiness standards, adopted by manufacturers, helped generate a growth in gyroplane activity that necessitated a review of the CAA’s oversight, with respect to training standards.
“Gyroplane instructors and examiners have worked hard to raise standards and to adopt new procedures. With the improvements in airworthiness, the CAA now has the confidence to support the community with the removal of the over flight restriction.”
Endorsing the new policy, Phil Harwood, the Training Liaison Officer for the British Rotorcraft Association, and a gyroplane instructor and examiner said, “The gyroplane industry has been growing extremely rapidly over the past few years since the introduction of factory-built approved gyroplanes. The gyroplane community is extremely enthusiastic and it has been a pleasure for all parties to work together and evolve in terms of standardisation of training. It is great that the CAA recognises this and is working to help us grow and offer the same privileges as traditional general aviation.”
More details can be found at <a href=’http://www.caa.co.uk/ors4no1054′ target=’_blank’>www.caa.co.uk/ors4no1054</a>
