Part NCO
UK Regulation (EU) No 965/2012 Annex VII, Part-NCO, applies to non-commercial flights other than complex motor-powered aircraft.
Annex VII (Part-NCO) to UK Regulation (EU) 965/2012 (the UK Air Ops Regulation) contains the regulations applicable to other than complex motor-powered aeroplanes and helicopters when used for non-commercial operations or flight training. All pilots conducting such operations in Part 21 aircraft should be familiar with Part-NCO requirements.
Part-NCO was originally introduced as European Regulation in 2016. The CAA produced at the time a short guide for pilots and operators, highlighting key regulations to be familiar with.
External to the CAA, Julian Scarfe of the PPL/IR Europe group produced an online guide designed as 'an informal introduction to the EASA operations regulations Part-NCO applicable to most light GA aircraft within EASA scope from 26 August 2016.' Please note whilst the contents remains broadly applicable, some changes to Part-NCO in the UK have been made since EU Exit – reference should always be made to UK regulations, which may be found within the Aviation Regulatory Library.
Who is affected?
Operators of other-than complex motor-powered Part-21 aircraft flying non-commercial flights:
- with an aircraft which is registered in the UK; or
- with an aircraft which is registered outside the UK but where the operator is established or residing in the UK
Part 21 aircraft are aircraft which are required by the UK Basic Regulation and any associated implementing rules to hold a Part 21 certificate of airworthiness, restricted certificate of airworthiness or permit to fly. Further information can be found on our Regulatory framework UK Part 21 aircraft and UK non Part 21 aircraft page.
Operator means any legal or natural person, operating or proposing to operate one or more aircraft or one or more aerodromes.
The term complex motor-powered is defined in Article 3, paragraph (j) Regulation (EC) No 216/2008:
Other than complex motor-powered aircraft means an aircraft that is not:
an aeroplane:
- with a maximum certificated take-off mass exceeding 5700 kg, or
- certificated for a maximum passenger seating configuration of more than nineteen, or
- certificated for operation with a minimum crew of at least two pilots, or
- equipped with (a) turbojet engine(s) or more than one turboprop engine, or
a helicopter certificated:
- for a maximum take-off mass exceeding 3175 kg, or
- for a maximum passenger seating configuration of more than nine, or
- for operation with a minimum crew of at least two pilots, or
*A derogation in the UK Air Ops regulation provides that non-commercial operations and flight training with multi-engine turboprop aeroplanes, with a MTOM of 5,700 kg or less, are to be operated under Part-NCO rules, rather than Annex VI (Part-NCC).
*A derogation has been agreed to allow non-commercial operations of twin turboprop aeroplanes, with a MCTOM of 5,700 kg or less, to be operated under Part-NCO rules.
What is required from you?
You need to be familiar with the UK Basic Regulation and the Air Operations Regulations, particularly Annex VII (Part-NCO).
More information
Under Part-NCO operators can use an alternative means of compliance (AltMoC) to comply with an implementing rule without informing or gaining approval from the competent authority.
NCO.GEN.101 allows an NCO operator to use AltMoCs without any further requirements or limitations. The rules in Part-NCO were written to preserve a proportional approach to the level of risk for this type of operation. We can verify an AltMoC used by an NCO operator during oversight activities.
Under Part-NCO an emergency locator transmitter (ELT) or personal locator beacon (PLB) needs to be carried on every aircraft for every flight.
NCO.IDE.A.170 sets out the requirement to have an ELT installed in the aircraft or carry on a.
Part-NCO no longer contains regulations for balloons or sailplanes – these are now detailed in: