BOOST FOR UK FLYING AS CAA OPENS NEW UNIT

01 Apr 2014

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• UK CAA opens dedicated GA unit
• Determined to be a 'better regulator'
• More responsibility devolved to LAA and BMAA
• IFR flying for Permit aircraft

The UK's Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has opened its new General Aviation Unit for business. The unit is the latest demonstration of the CAA’s determination to being a better regulator, reducing and improving our regulation of this key part of aviation in the UK.

The unit will be dedicated to effective regulation that supports and encourages a dynamic GA sector. It will make a key contribution to fulfilling the Government’s aspiration for the general aviation sector to enjoy a safety regulation system that imposes the minimum necessary burden and empowers individuals to make responsible decisions to secure acceptable safety outcomes, to make the UK the best country in the world for general aviation.

Andrew Haines, Chief Executive of the CAA, said, “I have been the first to admit that the way the CAA has regulated the UK’s GA sector has sometimes been disproportionate, and is in need of reform.

"The launch of the unit is a genuine indication of our commitment to regulate in a sensible and proportionate way. Of course, where there are clear safety justifications, the CAA will regulate to protect UK citizens. However, we also recognise that we need to do that in a way that equally encourages a vibrant GA sector for the UK.”

He added, “The new unit will improve efficiency and create greater transparency and accountability. The GA Unit has been set up in conjunction with government ministers Grant Shapps and Robert Goodwill in direct response to the coalition Government’s GA Red Tape Challenge which has made us take a long, hard look at how we regulate the GA sector.

"I am delighted that our work in this area is being strongly supported by such key government ministers and by Patrick Ky, the new Executive Director of EASA, all of whom are key partners in this important transformation.”

Commenting on recent achievements and future work, Tony Rapson, Head of the GA Unit, said, “We have been working with both the Light Aircraft Association and British Microlight Aircraft Association to delegate oversight and support of nationally regulated Permit to Fly aircraft. This will devolve our airworthiness tasks and introduce a more proportionate approach. I expect the transitional work to be completed by September this year.

"We also plan to reduce the burden on maintenance organisations under Part M by removing the requirement for an approval to work on individual aircraft types, saving £1,600 for each type. And we propose to allow many Permit to Fly aircraft to fly at night and in instrument conditions giving them the freedom they have wanted for so long.

“We also recognise that much of the regulatory burden imposed on the GA sector originates in Europe. That is why my team and I will actively engage with the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) to achieve better outcomes for UK GA. Specifically, we will work with EASA to deliver its general aviation road map which will reduce regulatory burdens on EASA aircraft.

Work already completed to reduce the regulatory burden includes:

• A project to de-regulate single seat microlights
• Allowing hand held radios in permit to fly aircraft
• Changing the requirement to reduce the amount of classroom training required for student pilots
• Allowing gyroplanes to be used for self-hire 
• Other proposed changes are:
• Reducing the requirements for flight testing prototype or modified aircraft to encourage innovation
• Allowing balloon pilots over 65 to continue as the single pilot of commercial balloon flights
• Submitting to EASA a new alternate training syllabus for private pilots that is more in keeping with current needs
• Reducing the number of questions in initial pilot exams to the minimum required.

Later this year the CAA will also publish a review of the last 10 years worth of GA safety data. This will influence a wider public consultation on our overall approach to the sector. The results of this will help to develop the implementation of a proportionate and risk-based approach to our wider regulation of the GA community and act as the principle foundation for all future work and decisions.

Tony Rapson added, “I am very grateful for the support the GA community has given to me and my team in setting up the unit and helping us set our priorities. This has to be a partnership if we are to deliver real change.”

The GA Unit will also be holding a major briefing event at this year’s AeroExpo at Sywell Aerodrome on Sunday 1 June 2014 with Government ministerial presence also planned. 

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