LMA Article 16 Authorisation Improved & Upissued by CAA
The big news is that the LMA has been issued with an undated Article 16 operating authorisation by the CAA. Hooray!
The LMA now has the delegated authority from the CAA for-
Test flights of over 25kg model aircraft
In place of a CAA authorisation for flight test, the LMA will be issuing Flight Test Permits, and test flights can only be carried out with a valid Flight Test Permit, and in accordance with the limitations listed on it. Once the test flights are completed, a full authorisation will need to be applied for with the CAA.
Flights over 400ft of model aircraft over 7.5kg
Due to a change in policy by the CAA, flights over 400ft of model aircraft over 7.5kg at defined flying sites will no longer be approved by the CAA. That means that the LMA and / or the BMFA must now issue a permit for flying model aircraft over 7.5kg over 400ft. BMFA can permit over 400ft flying with up to 25kg model aircraft and the LMA can permit over 400ft flying with up to 25kg model aircraft and over 25kg model aircraft. If you need a site permission, please reply to this email.
Flights of model aircraft at flying displays
Due to a change in policy by the CAA, flying model aircraft at a display* must be under an article 16 authorisation and with the permission of the authorisation holder, not the CAA. That means that the LMA and / or the BMFA must now issue a permit for model flying displays. The BMFA can permit display flying with up to 25kg model aircraft and the LMA can permit display flying with up to 25kg model aircraft and over 25kg model aircraft.
If you are an operator / remote pilot at a flying display, it is your responsibility to be satisfied that a permission is in place before you fly / allow your aircraft to fly and only fly within the terms of that permission.
The new article 16 authorisation can be downloaded here
