Flight Schools with N-reg aircraft?

[Contacttower]

We all know that for many larger aircraft it is simply easier to keep them on the N-reg from a maintenance point of view.

For more common aircraft, at the PA28 level say, is there much advantage to keeping an aircraft on the N-reg, primarily from a maintenance cost point of view?

[DLT1939]

Very difficult in the UK. You need permission (now administered by the CAA) under Article 225 ANO to carry out aerial work, which is unlikely to be granted to a flight school.

[Contacttower]

Why do you say that the CAA wouldn't grant permission? Do you speak from experience?

Have done DfT permission a while ago for instruction in a private aircraft, it is a pain but there was no reason for them to turn it down.

[piperboy84]

I got a Department of Transport permit a few years back to receive training in an N reg. definitely doable

[S-Works]

It is no longer the DofT issuing the permits its the CAA and they are charging £70 to issue it where it was once free.

It has also always been stated policy that while they will allow a private owner permission to train in there own aircraft they will not give approval for a flight school to use N reg aircraft for training.

[Contacttower]

Thanks bose-x, when you say "stated policy" do you mean by the CAA/DfT?

Anything actually in the ANO or even EASA regs that I may have missed?

[BillieBob]

Try Article 225 of the ANO:

(1) Subject to paragraph (2), an aircraft registered elsewhere than in the United Kingdom must not fly over the United Kingdom for the purpose of aerial photography or aerial survey or for the purpose of any other form of aerial work unless:

(a) the CAA has granted permission to do so to the operator or charterer of the aircraft; and

(b) any conditions, to which such permission may be subject, are satisfied

(2) This article does not apply to an aircraft:

(a) registered in an EEA State

(b) registered in territory to which the Air Navigation (Overseas Territories) Order 2013 applies

(c) registered in the Isle of Man or Bailiwicks of Jersey or Guernsey

The default position, therefore, is that aerial work is not permitted but the CAA may grant exceptional permission. It is left up to the CAA to decide what conditions any permission may be subject to and, historically, the condition applied to permission to conduct flight instruction is that it has been restricted to the owner/co-owners or to pilots employed by the owner in the case of private exec aircraft.