We use necessary cookies to make our website work. We'd also like to use optional cookies to understand how you use it, and to help us improve it.

For more information, please read our cookie policy.

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.



There are three basic routes from which to choose if you wish to build your own aircraft:

  • Design and build your own aircraft from scratch
  • Construct an aircraft from plans designed by someone else
  • Assemble a kit

CAP 659: Guide to Approval, Construction and Operation of Amateur Built Aircraft is a comprehensive guide to the rules around amateur built aircraft.