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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.



UK Regulation (EC) 785/2004 - "Insurance Requirements for Air Carriers and Air Operators" defines the minimum level of insurance cover required for all air carriers and air operators.

Comprehensive information regarding insurance requirements can be found in the Insurance FAQs in the aircraft registration section.


The Maximum Take-Off Weight (MTOW) and insurance

Insurance bands are determined by the MTOW of the aircraft. The CAA has received a number of requests from aircraft owners and operators to reduce the MTOW of their aircraft in order to take advantage of lower insurance premiums.

The embodiment of an approved modification is the only means of permanently changing the declared MTOW of an aircraft. The CAA Applications and Approvals Department must be notified in the even of such a modification.


Air Operator Certificate (AOC) holders

A scheme exists for AOC holders to vary the Maximum Declared Take-Off Weight (MDTOW) for their aircraft for operational reasons. Further information is available on the MDTOW Scheme Webpage and in FODCOM 20/09 - "Variable Maximum Take-off Weight".


Further information