*This letter contains very important information that affects you.*
Since the creation of the new European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) all newly registered gliders (and self sustaining sailplanes) since September 28, 2003 are affected by EU Regulation 1592/2002.
This means that any newly registered gliders in the UK require by law to be registered in the home European state by the National Airworthiness Authority (NAA) and hold a National Certificate of Airworthiness (C of A) issued by that authority. The UK CAA is a NAA.
In practical terms all gliders registered in the UK since 28.9.03 require CAA registration and a CAA C of A. All will require to display a G-XXXX registration and have a fireproof identification plate fitted inside the aircraft. The CAA C of A will be replaced by an EASA C of A in due course.
Since the summer of 2003, the BGA has been actively seeking an exemption to exclude all gliders in the UK from these new regulations. Unfortunately for newly registered gliders, we have not been able to achieve this and hence all affected gliders will require to comply with the EU regulation at some time in the near future. All newly BGA registered gliders are currently flying legally under a temporary exemption issued by the DfT.
The situation regarding existing BGA gliders (pre September 28, 2003) is still in detailed discussion. There is a possibility that all gliders, apart from those exempted under Annex II, will be required to be retrospectively issued with a CAA registration and C of A. It is appreciated that this will cause significant problems for UK glider owners as the majority will be unable to conform to the requirements for the issue of a CAA C of A. The main problem is the non-compliance with the Type Certificate by incorporation of non approved modifications.
Modifications approved by the BGA are largely deemed unapproved, as the BGA is neither the design authority nor an NAA. The procedure for approving such modifications, if required, has yet to be determined.
The BGA is actively seeking to either exempt existing gliders by way of a general exemption for the existing fleet and by inclusion into Annex 11 (2) for aircraft that fall into certain categories.
It is envisaged that the vast majority of vintage gliders, prototype and very limited production run aircraft, and those involved with a significant historic event in gliding, will be included into Annex 11 and be able to remain under BGA control as before.
The process of obtaining a national C of A issued by the CAA is still in detailed discussion with representatives from the BGA, the DfT and CAA. Once a practical process has been agreed with significant BGA involvement on behalf of the CAA, effected glider owners will be advised.
A period of grace will be allowed. This will probably be until the current BGA C of A expires. Aircraft issued with a CAA or EASA C of A will have some advantages over those holding a BGA C of A.
Flying your aircraft in other countries will be far easier as all other EU countries will be obliged to accept the UK C of A and it will be ICAO compliant. At present the BGA C of A is only accepted by way of mutual recognition and is some cases (France for example) you have to apply in advance to have the BGA C of A endorsed. This will still be the case for gliders exempted and those included into Annex 11.
Selling a glider overseas will be easier as you will be able to obtain an ICAO recognised C of A for export.
*In the meantime, for those gliders registered with the BGA after 28.9.03, it is very important that your glider remains compliant with the Type Certificate. This means that no modifications may be carried out unless they have been approved by either the manufacturer by way of a Service Bulletin (SB, TN, TB, TM etc) or approved by a European NAA. The BGA is not a NAA.*
*Please also ensure that ALL maintenance and flights are correctly recorded in the logbook. This includes any Airworthiness Directives applicable to your glider.*
*Manuals such as Flight and Maintenance manuals must be kept up to date with manufacturers revisions incorporated.*
As advance notice, undoubtedly there will be some costs involved.
First for registration, the CAA charge for issuing a registration and for changing the details after sale or transfer of ownership. Final details are yet to be agreed.
The C of A fees will probably be similar to the BGA fee for gliders under 500kg max weight, but gliders over 500kg will most likely see an increase. The normal CAA C of A for aircraft under 2730kg normally is valid for three years, so the C of A fee will probably be three times the annual fee but of course valid for three years.
Once the detailed discussions on all the above matters have been completed and agreed by the relevant authorities, the results will be published.
*Jim Hammerton, BGA Chief Technical Officer *
-- Leigh Bunting Colonel Light Gardens South Australia <Open Windows and let the bugs in>
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