Primarily for general aviation discussion, but other aviation topics are also welcome.
#1931590
Good write up and although I can't help but feel sorry for the owner he should have realised that past TL aircraft experiences in the UK had shown that all the warning signs were there.
The TL line of aircraft in the UK has history in this respect.
Back when the Sting first came to the UK approximately 10years or so ago a number of people back then bought Sting kits but couldn't get them through the LAA/CAA process and had to sit on them for a number of years and just wait before the Sting aircraft finally got approved in the UK!
The TL line has a history of struggling to get through the approval process in the UK mainly I guess because of it being of fibreglass/carbon construction.
Last edited by Shoestring Flyer on Fri Sep 30, 2022 4:10 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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By Sir Morley Steven
FLYER Club Member  FLYER Club Member
#1931591
Its always somebody else’s fault.
When we bought the first Sonaca 200 into the country I did all the work myself apart from the maintenance programme which delayed it by a few weeks.
The whole process was quite frustrating and the CAA didn’t cover themselves in glory being so inept and slow. A subsequent complaint blamed our maintenance organisation. As I said, always somebody else.

Having said that it was all done inside six weeks. The second one took a week.
The third one has been here almost a month and nothing yet, it’s due Brexit/pandemic/Ukraine/the Queen/ being incompetent. Take your pick.
Loco parentis, johnm, Flyin'Dutch' and 2 others liked this
By mpk
FLYER Club Member  FLYER Club Member
#1931597
£240,000 for a microlight LOL. So the 2nd, 3rd etc aircraft off the production line might get permits cos they can be done by the BMAA yet the 1st (and surely the most important) might follow later, have I read that right?
By PeteM
#1931601
But you have to remember - the air in the UK is so much more complicated than that in the rest of the world - this is why the approvals are so difficult!

Given the best place in the world for GA statements - one has to wonder - just Boris boosterism or so actual intent - the answer seems obvious.
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By Loco parentis
#1931603
The following is worth a try:

Gather as much manufacturers data regarding build standard and quality of construction to an internationally accepted design process. Czech production has a fine reputation. Apply to the Isle of Man for registration and certification. There are certain caveats which might place you outside of qualification. It's worth a try especially if you use an approved applicant such as Monro to act for you.

You might have to show some kind of maintenance agreement such as LAMS operated by an approved facility.
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By CloudHound
FLYER Club Member  FLYER Club Member
#1931631
These new aircraft are not microlights. They are small 600kg aircraft the DfT/CAA lawyers insisted be called Microlights in order for some UK licence holders to have a pathway to transition to fly them.

Or so I think I heard.
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By Sooty25
#1931635
CloudHound wrote:These new aircraft are not microlights. They are small 600kg aircraft the DfT/CAA lawyers insisted be called Microlights in order for some UK licence holders to have a pathway to transition to fly them.

Or so I think I heard.



And what a mess of the licence they made!
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By Miscellaneous
#1931640
An interesting, but nevertheless, sad story. All so unnecessary. :(

On the lighter side; this increase in MTOM for microlights should result in some amusing debate on the next landing fees thread with 'Group A' pilots with equivalent (or even lower) MTOM having to pay more than a 600kg microlight. :shock: :wink:
By JodelDavo
#1931663
Miscellaneous wrote:An interesting, but nevertheless, sad story. All so unnecessary. :(

On the lighter side; this increase in MTOM for microlights should result in some amusing debate on the next landing fees thread with 'Group A' pilots with equivalent (or even lower) MTOM having to pay more than a 600kg microlight. :shock: :wink:


Our local charges landing fees per engine, so the microlights still pay the same. Oh, the whining that generates :lol: