How many people who have written on this threadhave applied for a rule 5 exemption from the CAA ?
The reason that I ask this is that it is not a blanket exemption from rule 5 , you have to apply for exemption from the specific parts of the rule . And the exemption you receive is specifically for what you asked, and you must still comply with all the other rules.
I have to say as a pplh I have sought and obtained many different rule 5 exemptions from the CAA, and they have always been very , very helpfull and efficient. I think you do need to demonstrate you know what you are doing through your paperwork and applications.
Without wishing to join this debate, I would very much doubt that they had an exemption, because part of the process and paperwork is that you must have contacted the relevant authorities in the area (fire, police etc) Although it is very annoying when you have spent days contacting the authorities etc only to turn up with all the permissions, for the local bobby on his bike (london city area) all very happy and pleasant but saying that they hadnt been told by there ops room!