Categories of aircraft
UK registered aircraft fall into one of two groupings: Part 21 aircraft and Non-Part-21 aircraft.
UK Part 21 aircraft
Aircraft in this category are those that are regulated under UK Regulation (EU) 2018/1139 (known as the UK Basic Regulation) and its implementing regulations covering airworthiness, operations, flight crew licensing, etc.
UK non-Part 21 aircraft
Aircraft in this category are managed nationally under the UK Air Navigation Order. Airworthiness requirements for these aircraft are set out in the provisions of British Civil Airworthiness Requirements (BCAR).
To be classified as Non- Part 21, an aircraft has to meet one or more of the following criteria:
1. Manned aircraft set out in UK Basic Regulation Annex I (known as ‘Annex I aircraft’):
Most categories of non-Part 21 aircraft are listed in Annex I of the current UK Basic Regulation. The details such as weight limits are set out in Annex I but broadly these categories could be summarised as follows:
- Vintage aircraft that meet specific criteria for date of design and manufacture
- Ex-military aircraft
- Replicas of the above two categories
- Microlight aeroplanes
- Light helicopters
- Light gyroplanes
- Amateur built aircraft
- Aircraft built or modified for scientific or novel purposes.
- Smaller balloons and airships
- Smaller sailplanes
- Certain tethered aircraft
- Manned sub-70kg aircraft such as self-propelled hang gliders.
2. Manned aircraft that have been ‘opted out’ by states pursuant to article 2(8) of the UK Basic Regulation, either:
a. Aeroplanes that the UK have ‘opted out’ of the UK Basic Regulation further to CAA General Exemption ORS4.1501 published on 19 August 2021. These are Non-Part-21 aeroplanes that are designed to carry not more than 2 persons and which have:
- An MTOM of not more than 600kg (landplanes) or 650kg (floatplanes/amphibians); and
– A stalling speed or minimum steady flight speed in landing configuration, at the maximum take-off mass, of not more than 45 knots calibrated air speed.
– Are of an approved design. See the microlight aeroplanes page for more details.
NOTE: certain types within this group of aircraft may be manufactured and certified to Part-21 regulations further to UK Basic Regulation article 2(9); finally
3. Manned or unmanned aircraft carrying out military, customs, police, search and rescue, firefighting, border control, coastguard or similar activities under the control and responsibility of the UK undertaken in the public interest by or on behalf of the UK government, further to article 2(3)(a) of the UK Basic Regulation.