When are check flight reports required?

EASA aircraft being imported from Non-EU Countries (currently referred to as SHINE (Second Hand Imported aircraft from a Non-EU state)) require an airworthiness review to be carried out and presented to the CAA at the time of survey. EASA Part M, M.A.904 and AMC include a check flight report as part of the documentation needed to support the airworthiness review.

Used non-EASA aircraft being imported into the UK will require a check flight as part of the national CofA / permit to fly issue in accordance with BCAR, section A, chapter A3-1 and A3-7 as applicable.

Who is responsible for making sure the check flight is carried out?

The responsibility for satisfying the requirements of M.A.904 rests with the Continuing Airworthiness Maintenance Organisation (CAMO), or for ELA1 aircraft, the appropriately authorised ELA1 licensed engineer, or certifying staff from a Part 145 or Part M subpart F organisation approved to carry out airworthiness reviews and to make recommendations to the CAA. These organisations and individuals will therefore need to arrange for the check flight to be carried out.

Check Flight Schedules

Due to the increasing number of different aircraft standards and large number of Supplemental Type Certificates appearing on both EASA and non-EASA aircraft types, the CAA will no longer provide check flight schedules for the majority of aircraft types. Where a check flight is required it is recommended the operator contacts the applicable Type Certificate holder to obtain the appropriate schedule.

At this time the CAA will continue to publish the following check flight schedules applicable to light aircraft:

• CFS 2 – Single piston-engine aeroplanes up to 2730 Kg MTOM
• CFS 2, Appendix 1 – Loading
• CFS 2, Appendix 2 – For pressurised / turbocharged aeroplanes
• CFS 2, Appendix 3 – For floatplanes / Seaplanes / Amphibian aeroplanes
• CFS 162 – Single piston-engine helicopters under 2730 Kg MTOM
• CFS 301 – Single / twin seat piston engine light gyroplanes

Completed Check Flight Schedules

The completed CFS (Check Flight Schedule) should be provided to the CAA Surveyor at the time of the aircraft survey, along with the recommendation for the issue of the Certificate of Airworthiness and Airworthiness Review Certificate.