Paperwork required for LAA aircraft purchase?

[cluttonfred]

Hi, I have decided to take the plunge and purchase a small, single-seat, amateur-built airplane in Engand, but I have never actually owned a plane before and don't know where to start. To complicate matters further, I am currently outside the UK and so need to do all the administrative steps via long distance. What sorts of paperwork do I need to check/receive/file with the CAA or LAA when buying an aircraft on an LAA permit? Thanks and regards, Matthew

[johnmichie]

Hi Matthew

you have to be a Full Plus Member of the LAA. That's about it; see the link below.

John

http://www.lightaircraftassociation.co. ... pfees.html

[Chris Martyr]

Hi Matthew,
I'm sure there are plenty of people who lurk around here with infinitely more knowledge than I, but first, you have to remove a few holes from this swiss-cheese.
Is the aeroplane to which you refer, currently on the UK register ? If it is , then does it have a valid Permit to Fly ? If its PtF has lapsed , how long ago ?
How long are you out of the country for and do you subsequently intend to operate the aeroplane from the UK.
But I think the most important thing you need to do is commission the services of a suitable Inspector and what would make the whole thing really painless, would be if your Inspector was familiar with the aircraft.
I'm sure that our chums at Turweston could shed some light on this. I take it from your post that it's a Clutton Fred. If so then you'll have some great flying coming your way.
If I remember correctly, isn't there a chap with a beautiful little Austin Seven Special who could give you some handy FRED tips ? Good Luck Mate

[cluttonfred]

Thanks, Chris. I know the plane, not surprisingly a Clutton FRED, and it is current and permit valid on the CAA and LAA rolls, for sale only because the current owner has completed another homebuilt plane. That chap with the Austin Seven used to own this exact one, as a matter of fact, and we are in touch. I am not a UK resident but the aircraft will remain so for the time being, so I'll simply be tranferring ownership within the UK system. I have now identified a place to store it complete with a resident LAA inspector who I trying to contact now. More to follow when all the loose ends come together. Cheers from Nairobi, Matthew

[Ian Hoolahan]

You also need to do the CAA paperwork to transfer it - Certificate of registration should be filled in and sent to the CAA by the previous owner and you send a FormCA1, you probably also need to change the radio licence over, which I think is a £25 fee.

[Ian Hoolahan]

Also this form that I have just found!
http://www.lightaircraftassociation.co. ... etails.pdf

[cluttonfred]

Thanks, all. The process turned out to be a little more complicated in some ways and simpler in others as my nationality and country of residency meant that Clutton FRED G-BMSL could not stay on the UK register once in my name. So FRED is already deregistered (shhh, don't tell him) and in storage in the UK until I sort out where in the world my work will take me next. I am in contact with the LAA office to sort out their end of it, so no worries, just different. Cheers, Matthew