I believe you have to:
- attend a CAA seminar on 'Flight Plan Filing in the UK FIR', 2 seminars a year are available, both at Gatwick. There is no on-line training tools, you MUST attend the seminar (cost £149 per person)
- Register as an Approved Flight Plan filer using CAA Form FP474b, pay the fee of £345 (£678 for a CPL holder), this fee is non-refundable
- If successful the named person/aircraft on the application will be granted permission to file flight plans for a four week period
- If you wish to file a flight plan for a different aircraft than originally designated on the initial application, or extend the four week period then you will have to submit form FP474c, and pay the (non refundable) fee of £245 (£678 for a CPL holder)
- After extensive consultation with the GA community the CAA believe this procedure was deemed a vast improvement to the previous system and it will enable a safer, more efficient system for filing flight plans in the Uk FIR
Don't forget "The CAA is commited to General Aviation"
(I am joking of course. But how many of you were fooled initially?)