JAR-VLA is a set of safety rules for non-aerobatic light aircraft up to 750kg MTOW. (It's actually based upon Section S, the UK microlight requirements, but more complex.)
I'd suggest that probably they have claimed compliance with JAR-VLA, and as a result obtained local certification equivalent to that used for issue of a UK Permit to Fly. For you to get a CofA, certification has to have been done to ICAO standards, proving compliance with the safety standard to the national authority (as opposed to the national aero-club).
Same works here, PFA issue a permit on an aeroplane using JAR-VLA as a guide; CAA issue a CofA on an aeroplane using JAR-VLA as an absolute and immutable requirement. There's also the need for a national authority or JAR certified manufacture holding the type certificate, maintaining parts release, etc. etc. which is all additional to the actual safety standards applying to the aeroplane per ce.
It's only at ICAO standards level that national authorities reciprocate approval, below that every nation has it's own way of doing things.
P
Last edited by Pilotage; 28th Apr 2003 at 22:28.