Cylinder Head
18th Dec 2018, 08:58
I probably missed the memo but since the CAA passed responsibility for aircraft radio licences over to Ofcom in November, direct debit mandates previously set up are no longer valid and aircraft owners will need to make new arrangements. It's easy to overlook the expiry dates, particularly if you have previously set up automatic renewals with the CAA with a direct debit mandate and renewals used to just turn up in the post. To renew expiring licences, one must now apply to Ofcom and set up new a direct debit mandate to ensure seamless transition - see https://www.ofcom.org.uk/manage-your-licence/radiocommunication-licences/aeronautical-licensing. Upshot is that this takes at least a week to apply and there is no shortcut - you can't do it over the phone - meanwhile your aircraft may be grounded. Itinerant pilots / instructors / examiners travelling to fly an unfamiliar aircraft might want to check validity in advance to save themselves wasted journeys. Flying schools might also want to make sure that they are ahead of the game by applying for renewals to prevent loss of business.