VLA, Group A, Microlight, Permit to Fly, C of A, Sport etc...

[Rod1]

“I'm also not allowed to overfly built up areas - is there a definition of what this means? When does a house, or collection of houses, become a built up area?”

Real world answer is that nobody has ever been prosecuted for this and the PFA are in an advanced stage of negotiation to get this restriction removed.

“Are there restrictions on CAS entry?”

None that would not apply to a C of A machine

Would a VLA be classed as a microlight for those airports/airfields which don't allow microlights?

I fly a VLA, which has an almost identical Micro version. The airfields which only accept micros welcome me, the airfields which only accept SEP (Group A) accept me, but the really good bit is that I often get charged the micro landing fee at airfields which accept both Micro and SEP!

Rod1

[slim_slag]

Originally Posted by MyData

Reason for the questions: I'm currently toying with the thought of diving in and making an outright purchase or joining a group and want to get to know what's what.

Ah, in that case you question you should be asking is what the "various classifications of GA aircraft" are going to be like in five years time, and what the regulatory burdens are going to be on each.

[Rod1]

I thought that PFA maintenance had to be based on LAMS unless a manufacturer schedule was available which was approved by the PFA?
Rod1

[Genghis the Engineer]

Originally Posted by Rod1

I thought that PFA maintenance had to be based on LAMS unless a manufacturer schedule was available which was approved by the PFA?
Rod1

It is, but there's a difference between the owner maintaining the aircraft to LAMS, and the inspector deciding to do a duplicate LAMS annual at permit renewal time.

Of-course, there's much to be said for co-inciding them: i.e. asking the inspector to come along and inspect just as you're finishing the annual, then he gets a much better view of the maintenance practices on that aircraft than otherwise. But, you need a reasonably local and patient inspector for that.

G

[Mike Cross]

What the heck is a PFA inspector doing removing rocker covers ???????

Well he's not, we are. There's an AD on the C85 that requires the cast lugs on the cylinder heads through which the rocker shafts pass to be inspected for cracks. Someone has to do it! BTW I missed off removing the heater jackets so the exhaust can be inspected for cracks. Also on the Luscombe the prop has to come off to remove the cowling so that has to be to re-torqued and safety wired.

Fair do's, I'm 57 and the aeroplane was born a year before me so it's had time to accumulate the odd AD. It's also more likely to need fettling than something only a year or two old. This time it was a couple of baffle braces and we were going to replace the tailwheel pivot bush but guess who ordered the wrong size?

Mike

[Sam Rutherford]

Anyone know a 'simple' page that explains what each machine is/can do?


Thanks, Sam.

[Genghis the Engineer]

World Dir. Light Aviat. - Flying pages

or, in a book, for microlights only,

Microlight Flyers Handbook (spiral)

G

[xrayalpha]

Sam,

You revived an ancient thread, which also drifted a little.

As GtE gave the details for how to get details on specific aircraft, let me generalise, since I think that might be what you are after.

Two types of airworthiness in UK: Certificate of Airworthiness (CofA) and Permit to Fly (PtF)

ps. There is also some sort of EASA non-expiring things, which everyone seems to think is going to expire sometimes! That's EASA for you! So I will ignore it.

Three types of aircraft: big ones, medium sized ones (ie light aircraft) and little ones (ie microlights) Of course, some microlights have bigger wings than their light aircraft equivalents, but hey, let's keep things simple!

All big ones are on CofA, medium ones can be CofA or PtF, and microlights are all PtF.

All big ones are factory built.

Some medium ones are factory built, and if manufacturer is still around then they are all CofA. If manufacturer is not around, or has surrendered them - like with De Havillands for example - then they may be CofA or PtF. If kit/plans/home built, they will be PtF.

If a little one (ie microlight), they may be factory-built or kit/home/plans built. All are on PtF, and you can only use for "commercial" purposes - ie flight training for cash or hiring - factory-built ones There are, as always, some small print exceptions with this and all the above.

EASA has simplified matters with Annexe 1 and Annexe 2.

If it has a CofA it is in Annexe 1. That means it is too expensive to maintain ;-)

If it is in Annexe 2, it is a warbird, historic, home/plans/kit built, or microlight. It is on a PtF, so maintainance is affordable.

But you can't - at the moment - fly a PtF aircraft IFR or at night.

And then there are balloons (other than EASA), gliders, airships, helicopters, gyros etc.


Other terms, such as light sport etc, are foreign to the UK - often used in the USA.

[Sam Rutherford]

Thank you GtE for the link - I'll get a stiff Whiskey before launching in there.


Thank you XA for the summarised version!


I hope my resurrection of an old post was useful to more than just myself?


If not, my apologies (but thank you again, for me).

[Genghis the Engineer]

Very nice summary xray.

G

[BabyBear]

Indeed, xrayalpha, thanks it made it clearer for me too.

BB