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UK Civil Aviation Regulations

These are published by the CAA on our UK Regulations pages. EU Regulations and EASA Access Guides published by EASA no longer apply in the UK. Our website and publications are being reviewed to update all references. Any references to EU law and EASA Access guides should be disregarded and where applicable the equivalent UK versions referred to instead.



Applying for National Permit to Fly

We may issue a National Permit to Fly when it is satisfied on the basis of its own investigations, that in respect of its design and construction and all other relevant matters, an aircraft meets the foregoing requirements.

The Permit to Fly will include any conditions and limitations under which the aircraft must be flown and in certain cases any relevant maintenance requirements that are to be met. We may restrict the number of occupants that may be carried in the aircraft operating in accordance with a Permit to Fly.

A Permit to Fly issued in accordance with BCAR (CAP 553) Chapter A3-7, other than for ferry or test purposes will be rendered valid by the periodic issue of a Certificate of Validity.

Temporary National Permits to Fly

For non-Part 21 aircraft holding a Certificate of Airworthiness or Permit to Fly, there is not normally a requirement for the issue of a temporary National Permit to fly because “A” and “B” Conditions remain in force for these aircraft which allow them to fly for the purposes of ferry, revalidation of a C of A and flight testing, and so on, provided the flight is solely within UK Airspace. Schedule 3 of the Air Navigation Order (ANO) 2016 provides further information.

To enable a non-Part 21 aircraft to fly in circumstances where ‘A’ and ‘B’ Conditions are not applicable, a temporary National Permit to Fly will be required.

Pre-requisites

National Permits to Fly - Issues

The aircraft must be fully registered on the UK register

Temporary National Permits to Fly

The aircraft must be on the UK register and either have qualified for/or be in the process of qualifying for a UK National Permit to Fly or UK National Certificate of Airworthiness.

National Permits to Fly - Renewals

The aircraft must have remained on the UK register and hold a UK CAA National Permit to Fly. BCAR approved organisations holding the appropriate privilege may use the Permit Online system to issue a new Certificate of Validity (C of V).

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Who can apply?

National Permits to Fly - Issues & Renewals

  • registered aircraft owner
  • a BCAR approved maintenance organisation
  • a BCAR approved CAMO
  • operator
  • any individual authorised by the aircraft owner

Temporary National Permits to Fly

  • registered aircraft owner
  • a BCAR approved maintenance organisation
  • a BCAR approved CAMO
  • operator
  • any individual authorised by the Aircraft Owner
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How much does it cost?

Aircraft weight Non-expiring permit to fly and initial issue of Certificate of Validity Annual renewal of Certificate of Validity People / Organisations approved by the CAA to issue National Permit to Fly Certificates of Validity renewals online
Aircraft up to 500kg £624.00 £312.00 £248.00
Aircraft between 501kg and 2730kg £1,156.00 £578.00 £462.00
Aircraft over 2730kg £1,532.00 £766.00 £612.00

Temporary National Permits to Fly

When applying for the issue of a temporary national permit to fly where the national certificate of airworthiness is temporarily invalid, there is a charge of £240.

In the event of a discrepancy between the information here and the Scheme of Charges, the Scheme of Charges (Airworthiness, Noise Certification and Aircraft and Aircraft Engine Emissions) takes precedence

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How do I apply?

Issue of a National Permit to Fly

  • Where the application is for an ex-military aircraft, the applicant shall supply acceptable evidence of compliance of the design in accordance with the relevant paragraphs of BCAR Section A (CAP553), chapter A3-7 as part of the Permit to Fly issue process.
  • Complete and submit the Permit to Fly issue form with the relevant fee.
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Issue of a Temporary National Permit to Fly



Email apply@caa.co.uk declaring the following details:

Please note this application is to be submitted by a person authorised by the registered owner, legal owner or operator of the aircraft to act on behalf of the Company. Proof of that authority must be provided with this application.

  • confirmation of aircraft details:

    • manufacturer
    • type
    • serial number
    • engine type
    • Maximum Take-Off Weight (MTOW)
  • the purpose of flight:

    • dates required
    • departure airfield
    • arrival airfield
  • confirm overdue/outstanding:

    • Airworthiness Directives (AD’s) and Mandatory Permit Directives (MPD)
    • maintenance
    • service life items
  • confirm any unapproved modifications:

    • any damage outside of approved limitations
  • does the aircraft have a previous/current maintenance programme?

    • is the aircraft in compliance with the maintenance programme
  • confirm the last flight

  • confirm maintenance carried out since the date of the last flight, such as daily, weekly checks

  • confirm if the aircraft was parked outside exposed to the elements or in a hangar since the date of the last flight

  • provide a copy of the previous registries Permit to Fly/Flight Authorisation

  • confirm who will be providing the release to service and providing engineering support to depart the aircraft:

    • Company Approval Number
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Renew a National Permit to Fly Certificate of Validity

  • Complete and submit the Permit Renewal form with the relevant fee.
  • Include a request for a temporary national permit to fly for positioning and / or check flight if required.
Close Renew a National Permit to Fly Certificate of Validity

What happens next?

  • Your application will be reviewed by the technical team.
  • You may be asked to supply additional information and this could include a visit by a CAA Surveyor.
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