Light Aircraft Association

The latest "Flyer" newsletter contains the following statement.

"On 25 August 2016, new European-wide regulations covering flight operations come into force. They are known as Part-NCO (Non-Commercial operations with Other than complex motor-powered aircraft) and will apply to all aircraft with an EASA certificate of airworthiness. The UK Air Navigation Order (ANO) which regulates Permit aircraft is also be revised from that date, to bring it into line with Part-NCO. There is an article in the next edition of FLYER magazine about Part-NCO with more detail."

Part NCO requires carriage of a ELT or PLB in all a/c.
I am unclear if this will apply to a/c on a LAA permit
Can someone please comment.

You beat me to it as I was about to ask the very same question.

Looks like it will apply to permit aircraft.

"The UK Air Navigation Order (ANO) which regulates Permit aircraft is also be revised from that date, to bring it into line with Part-NCO. "

It does indeed look that way, so what do I need to buy to ensure I am flying legally before 25th August

At the present time it is unlikely that National PtF aircraft will be affected by the alignment of the ANO with EASA Part NCO, other than perhaps glider tugs, although LAA has sought to get those excluded from the requirement because they are involved in sporting activity rather than Air Operations.
Whilst PLBs and ELTs could be considered useful equipment, I would certainly not go rushing off and buying one of either just yet, unless you are considering doing so for personal safety reasons.
Rgds, Brian

Brian
Thank you for that Clarification.
Perhaps I am reading too much into your post but I get the feeling that you are saying that all is not yet carved on tablets of stone and the interpretation may yet change.
Cheers
Colin

Thanks Brian

The problem with announcements like this is that they just state 'Permit aircraft' as if they was only one type. CAA Permit, EASA Permit or LAA permit?

After receiving several explanations which proved as clear as mud, indebted to Mark Charlwood, Manager of GA Operations at the CAA, for this clarification:

All UK registered aircraft are regulated by the ANO 2009 until 25th August 2016 when the EASA Air Operations Regulations come into force. Under the ANO 2009 all aircraft are required to carry a PLB/ELT, however, an exemption has been in place for many years relieving aircraft operating for other than Public Transport or CAT from the requirement.

On 25th August 2016 the new ANO for Annex II aircraft will come into force and the requirement to carry a PLB/ELT has been removed from the equipment schedule for Annex II aircraft. This means that the exemption is no longer required.

For EASA aircraft the EASA Air Operations Regulations come into effect on 25th August 2016 so EASA aircraft will need to comply with those regulations and thus will need to carry and ELT/PLB as per NCO.IDE.A.170. The exemption will no longer apply because the CAA can only apply for an exemption from the requirement to comply with the regulations for a limited period of two months, in order to address an immediate safety issue. As this has been in law for 3 years, and the full derogation period was applied, no further extensions are possible.

In summary:
- On 25th August 2016 all EASA aircraft will have to carry a PLB or an ELT.
- On 25th August 2016 non-EASA will still not have to carry a PLB/ELT but an exemption is no longer required.


Don't forget though, if you take your LAA Permit aircraft overseas, the requirement to carry PLB/ELT will still apply!

Steve