In a formal exemption published on 20 March, the CAA is allowing UK EASA PPL and LAPL holders to continue for another year to fly G-reg EASA SEP aircraft of less than 2,000kg on a medical declaration

Specifically, General Exemption E 4655 states:

‘i) The [relevant EASA PPL or LAPL aeroplane or helicopter licence]… must have been issued by the CAA before 8 April 2018;

ii) Licence holders must have previously made a medical declaration in accordance with Article 163(3) of the Air Navigation Order which remains valid and has not been withdrawn;

iii) Licence holders must only operate flights:

a) in a United Kingdom (G) registered EASA aircraft (as defined in Schedule 1 to the Air Navigation Order);

b) within the United Kingdom;

c) in day or night Visual Flight Rules (‘VFR’); and

d) which are not:

• commercial operation flights (as defined in Schedule 1 to the Air Navigation Order); • pilot training flights;

• introductory flights (as defined in article 2 of Commission Regulation (EU) No 965/2012 of 5 October 2012 laying down technical requirements and administrative procedures related to air operations pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 216/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council); or

• cost-shared flights.

iv) LAPL(A) and PPL(A) holders must only exercise the privileges stated in Part-FCL.105.A(a), that is to act as Pilot-In-Command (‘PIC’) on single-engine piston aeroplanes-land or Touring Motor Gliders (‘TMG’) with a maximum certified take-off mass of 2000Kg or less, carrying a maximum of 3 passengers, such that there are never more than 4 persons on board the aircraft.

v) LAP(H) and PPL(H) holders must only exercise the privileges stated in Part-FCL.105.H on a single-engine piston helicopter, that is to act as PIC on single-engine piston helicopters with a maximum certified take-off mass of 2,000kg or less, carrying a maximum of 3 passengers, such that there are never more than 4 persons on-board.’

“The objective of the Exemption is to meet an operational need of limited duration to reduce the significant regulatory burden that will be placed on the UK General Aviation (GA) sector after 8 April 2018, by allowing an additional group of UK pilots to fly using pilot medical declarations rather than medical certificates in the UK,” says CAA Head of GA Tony Rapson.

“The essential requirement of pilot medical fitness remains. The UK will continue to monitor the Exemption effect closely and gather and analyse safety data (fatal accidents with medical/cause contribution) and medical declaration use in the UK GA sector. The data and analysis will be shared with EASA and other Member States.

“The Exemption reflects the intent of EASA’s roadmap for GA with the aim of ‘simpler, lighter and better rules for General Aviation’ and the revised draft Basic Regulation amendment which provides for proposals for future amendments to the Implementing Rules, including the Aircrew Regulation, regarding aircraft operations intended primarily for sports and recreational use.”

Image(s) provided by: