OK. Published on CAA website today- see below. Only thing I am not clear about is the implementation date 24/4/17 or 5/5/17?
Supplementary Instruction (SI) CAP 493 MATS Part 1 Safety and Airspace Regulation Group Intelligence, Strategy and Policy
Page 1 of 23
Number: 2017/02 Issued: 21 April 2017 Version: 5 Effective Date: See Paragraphs 3.1 & 3.2
6A. Class D
6A.1 When the reported meteorological conditions at aerodromes in Class D airspace reduce below a ground visibility of 5 km and / or a cloud ceiling of 1500 ft, both by day or night, ATC shall advise pilots of aircraft intending to operate under VFR to or from such aerodromes, and request the pilot to specify the type of clearance required.
6A.2 Except for helicopters using Police; Helimed; Rescue; Electricity; Grid; Powerline, or Pipeline callsigns, or a SAR training flight operating in accordance with MATS Part 2, controllers shall not issue any further VFR clearances to aircraft wishing to operate in accordance with VFR to or from an aerodrome, or enter the aerodrome traffic zone, or aerodrome traffic circuit, of an aerodrome within Class D airspace when the official meteorological report at that aerodrome indicates, by day or night, a ground visibility less than 5 km and / or a cloud ceiling less than 1500 ft (SERA.5005(b)(1)&(2)
Note 2: UK General Exemption ORS4 No. 1195 enables the pilot in command of an aircraft to transit Class D airspace in accordance with VFR by day, remaining clear of cloud with surface in sight and an indicated airspeed of 140 kt or less, with a flight visibility of 5 km or for helicopters, a flight visibility of 1500 m. Except for commanders of a Powerline, Pipeline, Police, Helimed, or SAR helicopters, which operate in accordance with their respective ORS4, this exemption does not enable the pilot in command of an aircraft to transit an aerodrome traffic zone or aerodrome traffic circuit within a control zone, when the official meteorological report at that aerodrome indicates the values specified in paragraph 6A.2.
6A.4 Procedures for operations into subsidiary aerodromes will be found in MATS Part 2.
Note 1: For the purpose of observing the meteorological conditions at an uncontrolled and/or unlicenced aerodrome or operating site located within a control zone, and assessing whether those conditions satisfy the minima specified in SERA.5005(b) and SERA.5010(c) as appropriate, the Civil Aviation Authority deems the following to be competent to act as ‘accredited observers’ as required within Regulation (EU) 923/2012 Article 2(82) for their flight:
(a) The holders of valid EASA Flight Crew Licences, valid National Flight Crew Licences and Certificates issued by, or on behalf of, the United Kingdom Civil Aviation Authority, and third country licences deemed valid in accordance with Article 150 of the Air Navigation Order 2016; and
(b) A student pilot-in-command (SPIC) who has passed the theoretical knowledge examination in meteorology toward the grant of a EASA Flight Crew Licence or National Flight Crew Licence or Certificate issued by, or on behalf of, the United Kingdom Civil Aviation Authority within the preceding two years.