CAA AND LAA LAUNCH NEW FLIGHT TESTING COURSE

rogcal · Post by **rogcal** » Sat May 07, 2011 12:00 am

Excuse my concern but could we be heading in the direction of not being able to carry out our own permit renewal flight tests at some point in the future with a requirement for only suitably qualified pilots to do so?

http://www.lightaircraftassociation.co. ... Course.pdf

Or am I just being my usual pessimistic self!

Nigel Hitchman · Post by **Nigel Hitchman** » Sat May 07, 2011 9:48 am

my understanding is that this is more aimed at the pilots doing test flight and evaluation on new types rather than permit renewal flight tests or even first flights of already approved homebuilts.

I agree we certainly want to keep our ability to do our own first flights (if suitably checked out) and definitly permit renewals.

I understand that for BMAA aircraft there are only certain pilots who can do first flights and they are difficult to get hold of and expensive! (well probably not expensive for what you get, but expensive when you have to pay for a day of someones time to travel across the country then fly your aircraft when you could have done it yourself!)

Brian Hope · Post by **Brian Hope** » Sat May 07, 2011 8:04 pm

Absolutely no reason to worry rogcal. Designs submitted or UK approval have to have a comprehensive flight test and report as part of the approval process. Many of the ex military and civilian test pilots are retiring and/or getting quite elderly so CAA suggested we get together to organise some training courses. Six experienced pilots will have a week with CAA test pilots to take them through the flight test requirements and how the written reports should be prepared.
There are no plans to stop owners carrying out their own post permit inspection flights.