Light Aircraft Association

Just had a chat with aircraft sales for a new aircraft and he mentioned that the Permit to Fly may change under EASA with something called Enduring Permit to Fly. He said that a Permit to fly aircraft may need to upgraded (physically and legislatory) to continue flying.

This is new to me. I would be pleased if anyone could enlighten me on this topic.

Regards John (EGCV)

Hi John, sorry for the delay in responding but I wanted to make sure of some facts with LAA Engineering, so thanks to them for the info.

Some years ago there was a situation where European manufacturers were building and selling LSA category aircraft into the US but could not sell them in the EU because EASA had not finalised changes to the European regulations for this class of aircraft. A temporary solution allowed the aircraft to operate on an EASA Permit to Fly, the ultimate intention being that these aircraft would be modified as necessary once the EU regulations were in place and the manufacturers' products had been EASA approved, and they would transfer onto an EASA Certificate of Airworthiness. Several years down the line it has transpired that a number of these aircraft on an EASA PtF cannot viably be brought up to a CofA standard, and it is understood that EASA may decide that they can remain permanently on an EASA PtF. It is not intended that any further aircraft be put on a PtF that cannot quite quickly be moved onto a CofA.
In the normal way of things, EASA uses the Permit to Fly as a very temporary means of allowing an airworthy aircraft that is out of CoA to fly for the purposes of getting to a maintenance facility, not as a permanent airworthiness approval system.

Isnt it also true to say that none of this has any relevance to LAA Permits to fly.
I believe the aircraft involved were/are factory built Remos G3, CSA Sportcruiser/Piper Sport and a couple more types.

Yes Nigel that's right, the aircraft in question are Remos, ready to fly (as opposed to kit built) SportCruisers etc. I believe, but am by no means certain, that there are about 30 such affected aircraft in the UK. It isn't really a LAA PtF issue, unless of course EASA decide to make the aircraft 'orphans' and those on the UK register might then be able to come onto an LAA Permit. The EASA PtF for these aircraft was seen from the outset as a rather 'make do and mend' option that was likely to land them with a problem, and that is exactly what has happened.