Hi
Dumbledore
The UK law is relatively specific, and applies to all aircraft flying within UK territorial airspace (as well as other examples for UK registered aircraft/pilots overseas) and the relevant portions are shown below:
Extra-territorial effect of the Order(a)
149 (1) Except where the context otherwise requires, the provisions of this Order:
(b) in so far as they apply as aforesaid to other aircraft shall apply to such other aircraft when they are within the United Kingdom or on or in the neighbourhood of an offshore installation;
(e) in so far as they prohibit, require or regulate as aforesaid the doing of anything in relation to any aircraft on or in the neighbourhood of an offshore installation, shall apply to every person irrespective of his nationality or, in the case of a body corporate, of the law under which it was incorporated and wherever that person or body may be.
Articles 16(9) and 19(2)
Aircraft Equipment
1 Every aircraft of a description specified in the first column of the Table in paragraph 5 of this Schedule and which is registered in the United Kingdom shall be provided, when flying in the circumstances specified in the second column of the said Table, with adequate equipment, and for the purpose of this paragraph the expression “adequate equipment” shall mean, subject to paragraph 2, the scales of equipment respectively indicated in the third column of that Table.
(2) Aeroplanes
(a) flying for purposes other than public transport; A(1) and (2) and
B(1), (2), (3), (4), (5) and (6)
(b) flying for the purpose of public transport; A, B(1), (2), (3), (4), (5), (6) and (7), D and F(1)
6 The scales of equipment indicated in the foregoing Table shall be as follows:
Scale A
(2) Maps, charts, codes and other documents and navigational equipment necessary, in addition to any other equipment required under this Order, for the intended flight of the aircraft including any diversion which may reasonably be expected.
So the fact that you don't have the relevant charts to allow you to complete a flight safely could mean you (or the foreign IFR pilot) is breaking the law. The fact that Farnborough gives you a 'clearance' which stops you busting Controlled Airspace is neither here nor there. As a pilot you should have the appropriate data in front of you, and know the boundaries and airspace rules. ATC will of course help out and hold your hand, but it's not their responsibility to do everything for pilots. Sometimes you need to take the responsibility for being a Captain and make sure you and your crew are fully briefed
Sadly, as with most things in the world, the dumbing down of professionals, coupled with a blame everyone else culture, is well and truly established in the world
God help us !!