7 August 2005
The Department for Transport has published a consultation document which proposes changes to rules governing foreign registered aircraft based permanently in the UK. If successful the move would signal the end of N registration operations for UK GA.
The DfT says it has become apparent that there is a growing trend for UK residents to acquire foreign registered aircraft and base them in the UK .The exact number is unknown but estimates range from 500 to 1,500. This equates to between 11% and 21% of privately operated aircraft based in the UK. For turbine engined business aircraft the percentage appears to be much higher.
They argue that that private and corporate aircraft based in the UK have been placed on foreign registers to take advantage of what are perceived as less onerous regulatory requirements.
They are proposing to amend the Air Navigation Order to prevent foreign registered aircraft from being based in the UK by limiting the time (e.g. to 90 days) such aircraft may spend in the UK in any 12 months. This would not apply to aircraft which are registered in a state subject to EASA’s requirements, or to public transport aircraft.
The closing date for all responses is 28 October 2005.
Details at <a href=”http://www.dft.gov.uk/stellent/groups/dft_aviation/documents/page/dft_aviation_039540.hcsp”>the DfT website</a>
