UK aircraft groups? Which am I allowed to fly with a US-PPL?

[German guy]

Hi everybody,

I am German, live in Germany and am just about to get the US-PPL.
My initial intention was to fly N-registered aircraft or German registered ultralights here in Germany, as it is here very easy to get a ultralight license based on the US-PLL.

I know heard that the UK also accepts the US-PPL instead of a JAR-PPL and that it is also possible to register a aircraft in the UK for all European citizens!? Is this true?

The other thing I am wondering about is what aircraft groups there are in the UK and which I could fly with the US-PPL? I read in some classifieds something about 'Group A' and 'microlight' - am I guessing right that 'microlight' is like our German 'ultralight' a national class, while 'Group A' planes are certified aircrafts?

I am looking forward to your answers.

Cheers,

Oliver

[IO540]

You can fly a G-reg plane on any ICAO PPL, VFR worldwide (reference: UK Air Navigation Order, article 26).

A G-reg plane can be owned by anybody in the world. The only issue is that you have to get it maintained and signed off...

[German guy]

Hi and thanks for the information. 'Air Navigation Order' was the relevant hint which lead me to the relevant document, as I could not find it on the CAA's website before. It's really very difficult to find something there if you're not sure what exactly you are looking for.

Cheers,

Oliver

[Tim Dawson]

That's interesting. We don't get the same allowance in America for hiring a N-reg though, do we?

[IO540]

And when you are inside the USA, the FAA will more or less give you an FAA license validation based on your ICAO license. Same with an IR (just 1 exam). Europe doesn't get within a mile of this concession; JAA specifically bans IR validation like that.