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Apply for or renew a permanent EASA Permit to Fly

Guidance for registered aircraft owners

  • EU exit

    Please note that, in the event of UK participation in EASA and mutual recognition of licences and certificates ceasing, some CAA website content and application forms may continue to carry the EASA logo or reference the EU or EASA rather than the UK CAA in the short term.  These will be updated in due course following the outcome of the transition period negotiations on the long-term aviation relationship between the UK and the EU.  In the meantime, the guidance provided and the application forms accessed via the CAA website portal will continue to be valid.


  • Commission Regulation (EU) 748/2012 Sub-part P allows for the issue of a Permit to Fly to an EASA aircraft when the Certificate of Airworthiness (C of A) is temporarily invalid or when an aircraft is unable to comply with the regulations set for the issue of a C of A but is still capable of safe flight under defined conditions.

    An EASA Permit to Fly is valid in all EU Member States, however, national operational, airspace access and use requirements remain applicable.

    There are four separate elements that may be required as part of the process that leads to the issue of an EASA Permit to Fly:

    • The application for approval of flight conditions
    • The application for an EASA permit to fly
    • The approval of the flight conditions
    • The issue of the EASA permit to fly

    An EASA permanent Permit to Fly may be issued where an EASA C of A is not appropriate. It may be required for an indefinite or extended period of time. Permits of this type are normally issued for the purposes described under Part 21, point 21A.701 (a)15 i.e. for non-commercial flying activity of individual non-complex types for which a C of A is not considered appropriate.

    Pre-requisites

    All applications should include the supporting documentation shown below in the section called 'you will need to provide'.

    For initial issues

    The aircraft must be registered in the UK prior to the issue of any Airworthiness Certificate

    • Certification status of the aircraft (EASA form 18b, manufacturers flight conditions, EASA AAN or UK CAA AAN)
    • Pilot's operating handbook or Aircraft Flight Manual reference
    • CAA approved maintenance programme reference
    • Details of who will be presenting the aircraft for survey

    For renewals

    The aircraft must be registered in the UK prior to the issue of any Airworthiness Certificate and not have been removed from the register since the last permanent ESA Permit to Fly was issued.

    In addition to the requirements listed above for an issue application should include

    • Hours flown to 31st December of the previous year
    • Confirmation that the aircraft has been maintained by an individual holding a valid Permit Maintenance Release Authorisation (PMR) - you will need to supply their name and authorisation number

    How much does it cost?

    Aircraft Weight EASA Permanent Permit to Fly - Initial Issue EASA Permit to Fly - Renewal
    Aircraft up to 500kg £489.60 £244.80
    Aircraft between 501kg and 2730kg £905.40 £452.70
    Aircraft above 2730kg £1,202.40 £601.20

    In the event of a discrepancy between the information here and the Scheme of Charges, the Scheme of Charges takes precedence.

    How long will it take for my application to be processed?

    Once instructions are lodged with your local Regional Office, you will be contacted to arrange a date for survey of the aircraft by our Resource Management team. A Permanent EASA Permit to Fly will be issued when the aircraft has been shown to meet the applicable requirements and is deemed airworthy.

    Same day services

    Same day, special delivery and other customised services are available at an additional cost. This service is on request, which should be made at the time of initial application. Documents are worked to a same day turnaround from receipt of customer request by 11:00 to completion of the processing of the application by 16:30 on the same working day. The customer will be able to collect the documents by 16:30 on the same day or the documents shall be sent by Royal Mail special delivery, where this is included in the service.

    View same day, special and customised delivery charges

    How long is it valid for?

    A permanent EASA Permit to Fly shall be valid for one year.

    • Completed Permit Issue Form together with the appropriate fee.

    Supporting documentation:

    For Light Sports Aircraft (LSA) please provide copies of the following

    • EASA Approved Flight Conditions (EASA Form 18b) with at least 12 months validity remaining
    • latest approved manufacturer's flight conditions document.
    • the manufacturer's Pilot Operating Handbook (for new aircraft from the factory only)
    • the production flight test (for new aircraft from the factory only)
    • any build standard documentation

    For Russian Light Aircraft: Yakovlev Yak-54, Yakovlev Yak-55 and Sukhoi Su-26 please provide copies of the following:

    • the EASA Airworthiness Approval Note(AAN) - this must be obtained from EASA
    • copy of EASA Approved Flight Conditions (EASA Form 18b) with at least 12 months validity remaining

    Renewal documentation:

    • Completed application for the renewal of an EASA permit to fly together with the appropriate fee
    • Supporting documentation as detailed under 'Issue application' above.

    The registered owner should complete the relevant form, pay the appropriate fee and supply the relevant supporting documentation.

    Once a completed application form and applicable fee are received, your application will be reviewed. You may be requested to supply additional information if required.

    Permanent EASA Permit to Fly - Issues & Renewals

    A Check Flight may be required, in accordance with CAA Safety Notice SN-213/011. If required, an application for the issue of a temporary EASA Permit to Fly should be made.

    Instructions to survey the aircraft will be processed to the Regional Office and you will be contacted to arrange a date for survey of the aircraft. A Permanent EASA Permit to Fly will be issued when the aircraft has been shown to meet the applicable requirements and is deemed airworthy.