Permit To Fly Rules....where are they?

[Genghis the Engineer]

Everything should be, nay is, in a new CAA publication called "CAP 733". I know this because I helped write parts of it.

Snag is, they've not got around to issuing it. So, there isn't a single document on permit rules - although there is quite a lot in the current issue of the ANO, particularly paras 8, 9, 129, 130. Also, there are a wide variety of conditions applying to individual permit aircraft, these are usually printed on the permit but sometimes are in an approved operators manual that go with it.

But for a quick summary of the main rules:-

1. day VMC, sight of surface at-all times, and never over built up areas except for taking-off and landing at a licensed or government airfield (the latter exemption doesn't apply to some permit aircraft which can't overfly built-up areas under any circumstances, this is mostly only microlights).
2. Minimum essential crew plus one.
3. Permission required from overseas authorities before leaving UK airspace.
4. Maintenance as per the schedule for the aircraft, which usually is owner maintenance.
5. Annual inspection and check flight for permit revalidation.
6. Not permitted for aerial work, except for...
(a) flying displays and associated practice
(b) instruction (but apparently not examination) of the sole owner or members of their immediate family
(c) Commercial instruction on certain classes of microlight.
(d) Flight testing prior to approval.
7. Can't be hired, except for solo occupancy of certain microlights, and single-seaters with an MTOW under 910kg (2002 lbf).

G