Civil Aviation Authority INFORMATION NOTICE Number: IN–2013/191 Issued: 29 November 2013 Guidance for Owners of Light Sport Aircraft (LSA) with an EASA Permit to Fly This Information Notice contains information that is for guidance and/or awareness. Recipients are asked to ensure that this Information Notice is copied to all members of their staff who may have an interest in the information (including any ‘in-house’ or contracted maintenance organisations and relevant outside contractors). Applicability: Owners of Light Sport Aircraft and Aircraft Maintenance Organisations Aerodromes: Not primarily affected Air Traffic: Not primarily affected Airspace: Not primarily affected Airworthiness: Aircraft Maintenance Organisations Flight Operations: Not primarily affected Licensed/Unlicensed Personnel: Aircraft owners, engineers 1. Introduction 1.1 The CAA has previously published AIRCOM 2010/11 and Information Notice IN-2011/57 to provide guidance to owners and potential owners of Light Sport Aircraft. This Information Notice supersedes both AIRCOM 2010/11 and IN-2011/57, and is for owners of LSA aircraft that operate under an EASA Permit to Fly. It provides updated information on the current EASA position regarding transition and on the CAA’s relaxation of the requirement for a check flight at Permit renewal. 1.2 A Light Sport Aircraft is defined as: An aircraft having a maximum take-off mass of not more than 600 kg; a maximum stalling speed in the landing configuration of not more than 45 knots Calibrated Air Speed (CAS); a maximum seating capacity of no more than 2 persons; single, non-turbine engine fitted with a propeller; a non-pressurised cabin. 1.3 It is intended that LSA aircraft currently on an EASA Permit to Fly will be certificated against a defined EASA standard (CS-LSA). This will make it possible for LSA aircraft types to qualify for an EASA restricted type certificate and for each aircraft of that type to merit an EASA restricted certificate of airworthiness. Aircraft holding such certificates may legally be used for a range of activities denied to aircraft holding Permits to Fly. 1.4 CS-LSA has been published by EASA and the first Restricted Type Certificates have been issued allowing those aircraft types to qualify for a Restricted Certificate of Airworthiness. Page 1 of 5 Civil Aviation Authority Information Notice 1.5 IN-2013/191 Although CS-LSA has been published, EASA has yet to finalise the process by which an aircraft with an EASA Permit to Fly will be certificated. A transition plan has been provided on the EASA website; it is recommended that owners make themselves aware of the content of this document, which can be viewed via this link: http://www.easa.europa.eu/certification/faq/docs/LSA%20Transition%20period.pdf 1.6 This Information Notice sets out the procedures to be used for the temporary issue of an EASA Permit to Fly, renewable each year, prior to transition to an EASA Restricted Certificate of Airworthiness. 2 Design and Production Standards 2.1 EASA’s current method for indicating its approval of the design of an LSA is to approve a document entitled ‘Flight Conditions’ (EASA Form 18b). The ‘Flight Conditions’ document indicates that EASA is satisfied that the specified aircraft is capable of safe flight under certain defined conditions. This provides a basis upon which an LSA aircraft may qualify for an EASA Permit to Fly only. The Permit is issued by a European State of Registry such as the UK, on receipt of the EASA approval. 2.2 When EASA has established its transition process to certification against a recognised design code, LSA aircraft may be eligible to be issued with an EASA Restricted Certificate of Airworthiness. Unfortunately, it is not certain that LSA aircraft already issued with an EASA Permit to Fly under the current arrangements will be eligible to transfer to a Restricted Certificate of Airworthiness. It is important that owners of these aircraft ensure that their aircraft remain in conformity with the latest approved ‘Flight Conditions’ and that all supporting paperwork is retained. This will help to ensure that, when the full suite of EASA regulations is in place, the best possible chance of a straightforward transition to a Restricted Certificate of Airworthiness has been secured. 3 Application for the issue of an EASA LSA Permit to Fly 3.1 Applications for the issue of an EASA LSA Permit to Fly can be made by applying via the CAA website, using this link: http://www.caa.co.uk/application.aspx?catid=1413&pagetype=65&appid=54&mode=deta il&appproc=46 The applicant will be asked to provide a copy of the EASA approved ‘Flight Conditions’ specific for the aircraft, a copy of the manufacturers post production test flight and a copy of the Pilots Operating Handbook (POH). The CAA will arrange for a Surveyor to survey the aircraft prior to issuing its Permit to Fly. To help owners ensure that the process runs smoothly, the CAA recommends that owners arrange for an appropriately authorised person or aircraft maintenance organisation to prepare and present the aircraft and its paperwork. NOTE: It is the owner’s responsibility to ensure that the aircraft is correctly presented; this should not be done through a commercial (sales) agent. Page 2 of 5 Civil Aviation Authority Information Notice IN-2013/191 4 Maintenance and Continuing Airworthiness 4.1 The European continuing airworthiness and maintenance requirements set out in Part M do not, at present, apply to Light Sport Aircraft. Until it has established the appropriate regulatory framework, EASA has agreed that National continuing airworthiness and maintenance requirements for Permit to Fly aircraft should be followed. For the UK, the current requirements are set out in CAP 553, British Civil Airworthiness Requirements (BCAR) Section A Chapter A3-7 and can be accessed via the following link: http://www.caa.co.uk/CAP553 5 Routine Maintenance requirements 5.1 All routine Maintenance should be carried out in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations but must include the information specified in the EASA approved ‘Flight Conditions’ as well as that provided by the airframe, engine and propeller manufacturers. The CAA is prepared to agree to the use of alternative information, provided it takes full account of the manufacturer’s documentation; such alternates need to be agreed with the CAA. 5.2 Except for maintenance permitted to be carried out by the pilot, appropriately authorised personnel shall certify as fit for flight all maintenance by issuing a Permit Maintenance Release in accordance with BCAR A3-7. 6 Aircraft Records 6.1 Aircraft, Engine and Propeller logbooks shall be kept in accordance with Article 34 of the Air Navigation Order 2009, until such time as EASA implements Part M for this class of aircraft. 7 Configuration Control 7.1 Any changes to the aircraft configuration such as fitting a different radio or installing additional equipment must be EASA approved. Approval of any change is achieved by EASA approving a revision to the ‘Flight Conditions’. It should be noted that a replacement Permit to Fly will be required, as reference is made to the Flight Conditions document on the Permit to Fly. Further information on obtaining a replacement Permit to Fly can be obtained by contacting CAA Applications and Approvals by telephone on +44 (0)1293 768374, or electronically using the following e-mail address: apply@caa.co.uk 7.2 Where a manufacturer’s Service Bulletin has been published and embodied, the CAA (supported by EASA) may accept that a revision to the EASA approved ‘Flight Conditions’ can be delayed until the next renewal of the Permit to Fly. NOTE: 7.3 The CAA has identified a number of examples where differences exist between the EASA approved ‘Flight Conditions’ and the Pilot’s Operating Handbook. Owners are advised to check their documentation to identify if there are any differences. Should any discrepancies be identified, owners should notify the aircraft manufacturer. In all cases, the EASA approved ‘Flight Conditions’ are to be considered to be definitive. Any discrepancies discovered during the initial issue process may hold up the issue of the Permit to Fly until the discrepancies are resolved. The content of any required placards and markings must also reflect the pertinent data set out in the EASA approved ‘Flight Conditions’, if it differs from the information contained in the Pilot Operating Handbook (POH). Page 3 of 5 Civil Aviation Authority Information Notice IN-2013/191 7.4 The configuration of the aircraft must be maintained to the approved standard. Changes should only be made in accordance with manufacturers approved data and recorded in the aircrafts records and certified by the issue of a Permit Maintenance Release as required by BCAR A3-7. 8 Check flights 8.1 For initial issue of the Permit to Fly a check flight will be required to be performed either by the CAA Flight Department or a CAA briefed pilot. 8.2 It is now no longer mandatory for a check flight to be conducted for the annual renewal of an EASA Permit to Fly, see Safety Notice SN-2013/011. 8.3 The responsibility of deciding when a check flight is required, as part of the continuing airworthiness oversight of the aircraft, falls upon the aircraft pilot-owner, maintainer or continuing airworthiness management organisation (as applicable). Guidance material to assist in the decision making process can be found in CAP 1038 Check Flight Handbook. 9 Occurrence Reporting 9.1 Reportable occurrences should be submitted to the CAA in accordance with CAP 382 and the completed form should be sent to the following address: Safety Investigation and Data Department, Aviation House, Gatwick, RH6 0YR, or in electronic form to the following mailbox: SDD@caa.co.uk 10 Renewal of the EASA Permit to Fly 10.1 EASA Permits to Fly are valid for a maximum period of one year. Applications to renew the Permit to Fly can be made by applying via the CAA website using this link: http://www.caa.co.uk/application.aspx?catid=1413&pagetype=65&appid=54&mode=deta il&appproc=46 10.2 Where the EASA approved ‘Flight Conditions’ have an expiry date of less than a year from the date of expiry of the current Permit to Fly, it will be necessary for the aircraft owner to apply and obtain from EASA replacement ‘Flight Conditions’, or send written confirmation at the time of application that the owner is happy to receive less than one year validity on the Permit to Fly to be issued, before the Permit to Fly can be renewed. 10.3 Where a change has been made to the aircraft through embodiment of a modification, it will be necessary for the aircraft owner to apply and obtain from EASA replacement ‘Flight Conditions’ before the Permit to Fly can be renewed. 10.4 An application should be made to the manufacturer for the revised ‘Flight Conditions’ document to be submitted to EASA for approval using EASA Form 37, available from the EASA website at http://easa.europa.eu/certification/permit-to-fly.php A copy of the updated EASA approved ‘Flight Conditions’ must be provided. 11 Aircraft Documentation and Manuals Owners and operators are reminded of the need to ensure that they are using or referring to the latest manufacturer supplied documentation and manuals. Regular checks should be made by the owner to ensure that they have the latest revision of the documentation for the aircraft. Page 4 of 5 Civil Aviation Authority Information Notice IN-2013/191 12. Queries 12.1 Any queries or further guidance required as a result of this communication should be addressed to Airworthiness Strategy and Policy at the following e-mail address: Requirements@caa.co.uk 13. Cancellation 13.1 This Information Notice shall remain in force until further notice. Page 5 of 5