Are the approvals of Flight Conditions issued by EASA before January 1, 2021 with respect to UK-registered aircraft still valid after December 31, 2020?
Answer
No, approvals of flight conditions (EASA Form 18B ‘Approval of Flight Conditions for a Permit to Fly’) issued by EASA before January 1, 2021 with respect to UK-registered aircraft are no longer valid. EASA issues approval of flight conditions only as regards aircraft registered in EU Member States or other European States participating in the work of EASA. As of January 1, 2021, UK is no longer part of the EASA system and the EU aviation safety legislation, including Regulation (EU) 2018/1139, no longer applies to the UK. Owners of aircraft registered in the UK which do not have a valid certificate of airworthiness should contact UK CAA for further advice.
Annex AVSAF-1 (Airworthiness and Environment Certification) to the EU UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement does not cover Flight Conditions (FC) (FC are not design certificates)
Consequently,
- in accordance with UK Part 21, UK CAA or UK 21J approved design organisations can approve FC only for UK-registered aircraft
- in accordance with EU Part 21, EASA (for safety of design-related FC) or State of Registry NAA (for non-safety of design related FC) or EASA 21J design approved organisations can approve FC only for EU Member State-registered aircraft