Hour Building Aircraft Requirements
 

Hi,

I've emailed the CAA about this but they're quoting a 4 week wait for replies "of a technical nature", so in the mean time I'll pick PPRuNe's brains.

I've got 15 hours of flight time before I can start my CPL (MEIR is done) but I really don't want to hire a C152 or 172 etc, but something more fun like a 3 axis microlight.

Can these be hour built on? I've heard rumours that A/C have to come up to some sort of specification to be counted as "real" hours. Is it based on MTOW, or the type of certification?

Some of these Rotax powered A/C far outperform any older spam whilst being cheaper to run, but of course I don't want to waste my money on useless hours.

Thanks

If I remember correctly:

• Anything registered as a microlight cannot be used to build hours toward cpl/ sep
• Anything registered as single-engine landplane that could be classed as a microlight also doesn't count - generally speaking anything <= 450kg MTOW, although there are a few other caveats like stall speed and wing loading
• Everything else counts

There are a few models that exist in both UL and LSA version (exactly same airframe and performance, different certification), the latter having a 600kg MTOW - that would count. A22 comes to mind.

Most Jabirus are under 450kg but some are not, e.g. J400.

MCR-4S would also work.

However, I think you will find that most of these are on a Permit to Fly in order to cut costs, and therefore cannot be rented out legally.

If you're looking for fun, why not rent a Decathlon?

Thanks for the reply. I'm looking at a Flight Design CTSL, MTOW is 475kg and is registered as a Microlight, so I'm assuming I'll have to look elsewhere.

Hopefully the CAA can give an official answer in less than 4 weeks.

You will, which is a shame for you as the CT is a lovely aeroplane to fly and also requires good piloting skill.

There is a clause in the ANO permitting hiring of single seaters up to 910 kg, so you could for example hire one of the Tiger Club's Turbulents.

Or join an LAA permit aeroplane syndicate - which is not hire and there are a lot of really nice little aeroplanes that way. Just make sure that the rest of the syndicate are happy with your plans, as generally you join a syndicate for the long term, not short term hour building.

Or even buy one of the cheaper LAA aeroplanes outright - you'll learn lots, save money compared to renting, and at the end will also still own an aeroplane!