Part SPO | UK Civil Aviation Authority
LOL The CAA keep changing the info on their web site. First they said if you operate a non EASA c of a aircraft for the purposes of aerial work, now known as part-SPO, you will need to make a declaration and you will still need a foreign aircraft operating permit from the D f T, now EASA has decreed they will not accept the declaration unless the aircraft has an EASA c of a. Therefore the D f T will no longer issue foreign aircraft operating permits.
If the activity is being conducted on a commercial basis then the operator is required to comply with EASA Air Operations regulations Annex VIII (Part-SPO) and Annex III (Part-ORO).
ORO.SPO.100(b), (copied below), specifically states that the aircraft shall have a CofA in accordance with EU Regulation 748/2012 that in effect says the aircraft shall be registered in an EASA state.
SUBPART SPO:
COMMERCIAL SPECIALISED OPERATIONS
ORO.SPO.100 Common requirements for commercial specialised operators
(a) A commercial specialised operator shall in addition to ORO.DEC.100 also comply with ORO.AOC.135, ORO.AOC.140 and ORO.AOC.150.
(b) Aircraft shall have a certificate of airworthiness (CofA) in accordance with Regulation (EU) No 748/2012 or shall be leased-in in accordance with (c).
(c) A commercial specialised operator shall obtain prior approval of the competent authority and comply with the following conditions, if:
(1) Wet leasing-in an aircraft of a third country operator:
(i) The safety standards of a third country operator with regard to continuing airworthiness and air operations are equivalent to the applicable requirements established by Regulation (EC) No 2042/2003 and this Regulation;
(ii) The aircraft of a third country operator has a standard CofA issued in accordance with ICAO Annex 8;
(iii) The duration of the wet lease-in does not exceed seven months in any 12 consecutive month period; or
(2) Dry leasing-in an aircraft registered in a third country:
(i) An operational need has been identified that cannot be satisfied through leasing an aircraft registered in the EU;
(ii) The duration of the dry lease-in does not exceed seven months in any 12 consecutive month period;
(iii) Compliance with the applicable requirements of Regulation (EC) No 2042/2003 is ensured;
(iv) The aircraft is equipped in accordance with Annex VIII [Part SPO].