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Check flights

Check flight schedules (CFS)

  • When are check flight reports required?

  • EASA aircraft

    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.

    EASA has agreed that UK oversight of light sport aircraft with an EASA Permit to Fly will include Check Flights as part of the EASA process. Consequently, for initial issue of the Permit to Fly for the first-of-type on the UK Register, or subsequent aircraft with significant differences, a Check Flight will be required.

    Non EASA aircraft

    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.

    For the initial issue of a C of A or Permit to Fly to be issued to a non-EASA aircraft it is necessary for the CAA to determine that the individual aircraft conforms to its type certification standard and is airworthy. To establish this, a Check Flight is required to be completed satisfactorily prior to the initial issue of the C of A or Permit to Fly.

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

    The responsibility for deciding when a check flight is required falls upon the aircraft pilot-owner, maintainer or continuing airworthiness management organisation (as applicable).

    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:

    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.

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