The microlight manufacturer is the first to be given design, production and flight test approval under a new UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) authorisation system.
The move will allow the Light Aircraft Company (TLAC) to sell its aircraft as finished ‘factory-built’ types. Previously, the company, based at Little Snoring airfield in Norfolk, could only sell its products as amateur-build kits.
Mark Shortman, from the CAA’s GA Unit, said: “This is the first approval of its kind to be assessed using a more pragmatic and proportionate interpretation of the microlight company approval requirements which we hope to develop further with the manufacturing community in due course. I’m also pleased with our ongoing collaboration with the British Microlight Aircraft Association (BMAA), who assisted us in reviewing this application as part of a project to assess the viability of the BMAA obtaining delegation from the CAA to oversee the manufacturers on our behalf.”
Speaking of their new approval, Paul Hendry-Smith, Chief Executive said: ”This approval presents new opportunities for my company in being able to supply complete ready-to-fly microlights to customers who, for whatever reason, do not want to build their own but previously did not have the option of buying a factory-built machine from TLAC.”
The certificates of approval will be presented to TLAC at the Flying Show at Telford this coming weekend.
