New SSDR regulation

For discussion on all aspects of the Single Seat De-Regulated, sub 115kg microlight aircraft category.


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John Riley
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New SSDR regulation

Post by John Riley » Mon Dec 02, 2013 10:01 am

The expected announcement at the week-end of the new regulations for SSDR's was not made.
The CAA have announced that it will be in the new year.
I do hope the original idea of just two parameters, MTOW <300kgs and a stall speed of < 35kts will not be complicated.
There are many issues such as insurance and who could control Permits, that could be looked at later if they are desired, but those issues should not effect the legislation.
I think the best result would be to deregulate as the CAA proposed, and let the industry find its own solutions, if wanted or required.
We are in danger of letting a golden opportunity vanish under a pile of paperwork.
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Ian Melville
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Re: New SSDR regulation

Post by Ian Melville » Mon Dec 02, 2013 9:01 pm

and who could control Permits
What permit?

I very much doubt anyone is letting this one slide under the paperwork.
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Re: New SSDR regulation

Post by skizzydo2 » Fri Jan 10, 2014 2:09 pm

Being in possession of an odd minimax ( a rotax 508 fitted on a metal engine mount) and with the near advent of the minimax being SSDR, I wonder how much of a redesign can be carried out now. As I'm thinking of replacing the engine with a 503 for a start but adapting the existing engine mount rather than a rebuild of the fuselage. Due to weights of the existing engine installation not everything is in quite the same place as a standard minimax.
Question is how much fiddling and fettling will we be allowed to do ?
I have the original drawings plus the amended ones for the new engine installation so that is no problem. Being a retired aircraft engineer carrying out structural repairs etc with the proper paperwork supplied, doing your own thing comes as a bit of a no no for safety reasons.
:shock:
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Brian Hope
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Re: New SSDR regulation

Post by Brian Hope » Fri Jan 10, 2014 4:55 pm

Hi Timothy, if you read the bit about SSDR in the Jan issue of the magazine you will see that 300kg SSDR is expected to come in early Spring (possibly April 1) and will initially be for new machines. It is anticipated that there will be a mechanism for moving existing microlights that fit the new SSDR specification into the category as well, but that has yet to be confirmed by the CAA. So, assuming your Minimax is currently registered and on a PtF (not necessarily current), any mods you intend to make must be cleard with LAA Engineering. If you commence the actual work assuming you can move to SSDR and for some reason existing microlights are not allowed to move to the SSDR (there are no guarantees at this time), you could end up with a major headache.
If, as hoped, SSDR does become an option for existing PtF machines and you transfer you aircraft to the new category, you can pretty well do as you please as long as you remain within the SSDR limits. However, making changes without fully considering the potential effects on airworthiness is a very risky business, you're better off seeking advice on the feasibility of what you intend doing if you are not fully conversant in aeronautical engineering.
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Re: New SSDR regulation

Post by John Riley » Sat Mar 29, 2014 8:38 am

I have been waiting for the new rules for SSDR to be published (300kg MAUW), but still no news. First it was end of 2013, then it was 1st April 2014.
Maybe I missed it, but as I have a previously registered SSDR I would have thought I'd have been contacted.

waiting in hopeful anticipation.

John
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Re: New SSDR regulation

Post by cardiffrob » Mon Mar 31, 2014 2:35 pm

Can anyone give me some advice?

Having read some of the 'proposal' paperwork, am I right in assuming that...

"300 kg for a single seat landplane, (or 390 kg for a single seat landplane of which at least 51% was built by an amateur, or non-profit making association of amateurs, for their own purposes and without any commercial objective, in respect of which a permit to fly issued by the CAA was in force prior to 1st January 2003);"

...would cover something LAA (not BMAA) weighing 352kg MTOW that was plans built? I can't find the old magazine article and there isn't a vast amount of info on the internet as to what the final proposal will be.

Just wondering.

Thanks

Rob
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Re: New SSDR regulation

Post by ColinC » Mon Mar 31, 2014 10:06 pm

Hi,

What you describe was part of the original proposal, but I don't think that it can be relied upon. Hopefully, we will get more news soon?

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Re: New SSDR regulation

Post by cardiffrob » Tue Apr 01, 2014 10:10 am

Fingers crossed!

I've just been dumped from the 757/767 fleet onto the 737. I need something to cheer me up. :cry:
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Re: New SSDR regulation

Post by John Riley » Fri Apr 04, 2014 9:45 am

I've heard some positive news, it could be announced in a couple of weeks.
The main parameters of the proposal won't change, 300kgs MAUW and 35kts stall.
The devil is in the detail,
Looks like existing single seaters will have the chance to continue with their Permits if they wish,
and some form of approval for manufacturers who wish to export,
New single seaters to be SSDR, The ANO will have to change, so an Exemption looks likely until that can happen.

I'm now feeling more hopeful,

John

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Re: New SSDR regulation

Post by John Riley » Fri May 09, 2014 9:22 am

Latest date I have heard is 14th May 2014, the last sticking point is over whether permits should be allowed to carry on for existing single seaters.
My view is they should drop the permits for all this category, why have a dual system, seems like there would not be any savings in bureaucracy, if anything there would an increase.
I understand the LAA would lose some revenue from Permit renewals, but if the CAA are offering a reduction in bureaucracy maybe we should embrace it.
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Re: New SSDR regulation

Post by Brian Hope » Fri May 09, 2014 12:43 pm

Sorry John but I disagree. When the CAA deregulation proposal was made the LAA asked its single seat microlight owners if they were happy for an across the board deregulation, and some were not. They preferred to continue with the Permit to Fly regime and have the LAA overseeing the continuing airworthiness of their aircraft. Some liked the fact that an Inspector was checking their aircraft, others were concerned about the value of their investment, considering that an SSDR was an unknown quantity regarding its maintenance history and thus was devalued. Some manufacturers also wanted a Section S single seat regime because it gave their aircraft added credibility in foreign markets.
The BMAA did not want a blanket deregulation either, but that was the only option originally on the table.
As the LAA and the BMAA try their best to serve the interests of all their members, discussions have been on-going to reach a position where existing owners have the option of staying as they are or moving into a de-regulated category, and surely that is as it should be.
I should add that the LAA does embrace SSDR, the 300kg MAUW, 35kt stall offers very real opportunities of useful single seat designs with good performance, something the 115kg/wing loading criteria all but stifled. That, and the potential for an 'LAA aeroplane' design, is why we are encouraging designers and would be desgners with Francis Donaldson's articles on wing design.
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cardiffrob
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Re: New SSDR regulation

Post by cardiffrob » Thu May 15, 2014 9:05 am

Still no news? I can't find anything on Google, etc.
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Ian Whetton
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Re: New SSDR regulation

Post by Ian Whetton » Thu May 15, 2014 1:04 pm

Any News yet, I cant take this waiting game anymore haha!

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Re: New SSDR regulation

Post by Ian Pearson » Thu May 15, 2014 1:20 pm

Spoke to CAA representative yesterday who told me, as the chap dealing with the new regs. is on holiday, that exemptions should be available at the end of May. If that is of any comfort!!
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Re: New SSDR regulation

Post by Ian Whetton » Thu May 15, 2014 1:38 pm

Thanks Ian that will do, my permits up on the 13th June so fingers crossed :-)

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