Commission Regulation (EU) 748/2012 as retained (and amended in UK domestic law) under the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018, Sub-part P allows for the issue of a Permit to Fly to a Part 21 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.
There are four separate elements that may be required as part of the process that leads to the issue of a UK Part 21 Permit to Fly:
• the application for approval of flight conditions
• the application for a Permit to Fly
• the approval of the flight conditions
• the issue of the Permit to Fly
A permanent Permit to Fly may be issued or renewed where a Part 21 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 for non-commercial flying activity of individual non-complex aircraft types for which a C of A or Restricted C of A (R C of A) is not considered appropriate.
Pre-requisites
All applications should include the supporting documentation noted in the section on this page titled 'what do I need to include with my application?'.
For initial issues
The aircraft must be registered in the UK prior to the issue of any Airworthiness Certificate:
- Certification status of the aircraft (which may include CAA form 18b, manufacturers flight conditions, UK CAA AAN and so on).
- 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 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 do I apply?
The registered owner should complete the apply for a Permit to Fly or renew an existing Permanent Permit to Fly form, pay the appropriate fee and supply the relevant supporting documentation.
What do I need to include with my application?
For an initial issue, you will need to include a completed Permit to Fly Issue application form together with the appropriate fee.
Supporting documentation:
For Light Sports Aircraft (LSA) please provide copies of the following:
- The latest Approved Flight Conditions (EASA Form 18b issued before 31 December 2020 or CAA Form 18b, as appropriate) 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
Renewal documentation:
- Completed application for the renewal of a permanent Permit to Fly together with the appropriate fee.
- Supporting documentation as detailed under 'Issue application' above.
How long is it valid for?
A permanent Permit to Fly shall be valid for one year.
What else do I need to know?
- UK Regulation (EU) No 748/2012, Subpart P.
- Application for a temporary Permit to Fly for a Part 21 aircraft type (this may be required for the delivery flight and/or a check flight to qualify for the issue or renewal of the Permanent Permit to Fly).
- CAA Scheme of Charges (Airworthiness, Noise Certification and Aircraft and Aircraft Engine Emissions).
- CAA guidance on the requirements for check flights.
- CAA Form SRG1767 Application for the Approval of Safety of design related Flight Conditions for a Permit to Fly and CAA Form 18b.
Costs
| Aircraft Weight | Permanent Permit to Fly - Initial Issue | Permanent Permit to Fly - Renewal |
|---|---|---|
| Aircraft up to 500kg | £604.80 | £302.40 |
| Aircraft between 501kg and 2730kg | £1121.40 | £560.70 |
| Aircraft above 2730kg | £1485.00 | £742.50 |
In the event of a discrepancy between the information here and the Scheme of Charges, the Scheme of Charges takes precedence.
Same day services
The same day, special and customised delivery charges are available at an additional cost. This service is on request, which should be made at the time of initial application. Cases are worked the same day from receipt of customer request by 11:00 to completion of the processing of the application by 16:30 on the same working day.
Case completion is subject to all information being submitted and all queries answered.
How long will it take for my application to be processed?
Once instructions are issued to your local Regional Office or General Aviation Unit, you will be contacted to arrange a date for survey of the aircraft by our Resource Scheduling team. A permanent Permit to Fly will be issued when the aircraft has been shown to meet the applicable requirements and is deemed airworthy.
We are seeing an increase in aircraft certification applications (Certificate of Airworthiness, Temporary Permit to Fly and Flight Conditions), due to EU exit and Covid-19 pandemic business continuity planning.
This has presented challenges with meeting the service level agreement of 20 days (five days for Temporary Permit to Fly applications) for processing each application, before it is passed on to an available airworthiness surveyor to carry out any required oversight, and the certificate can be issued to the applicant.
We have allocated additional resource to process the application backlog as quickly as possible.
As a result of this increase in overall volumes, we have recently withdrawn the same day/fast track application process for all applications other than:
- Temporary Permit to Fly – for an AOC AOG aircraft or a State aircraft only.
- Overflight Permission – for operational aircraft only.
Applications are being processed in the order that they are received, and we are unable to expedite them.
While we aim to meet or improve on our service level agreement, however this depends on applications containing all of the required information.
Incomplete applications will result in the possible rejection or the application being put ‘on hold’ due to missing data. This will result in additional time to process the application and the issuing of the required licence or approval certificate.
What happens next?
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 Permit to Fly - Issues & Renewals
A Check Flight may be required, refer to CAA guidance on the requirements for check flights. If required, an application for the issue of a temporary Permit to Fly should be made.
Instructions to survey the aircraft will be processed to the Regional Office or General Aviation Unit, as applicable and you will be contacted to arrange a date for survey of the aircraft. A Permanent Permit to Fly will be issued when the aircraft has been shown to meet the applicable requirements and is deemed airworthy.
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