Electric Trim runaways

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Published: 23 September 2025

CAA Licensing & training simplification

There are changes to Pilot licensing in the UK with effect from 1 October 2025.

The CAA have published a number of videos and publications to explain the changes. These can be accessed from this CAA webpage: https://www.caa.co.uk/general-aviation/pilot-licences/licensing-training-simplification/

CAP 3155 summarises the key changes:

General Aviation Pilot Licensing Review - Key summary of aeroplane category changes

If you are a general aviation pilot, instructor, examiner or training organisation, there are some changes coming soon to UK pilot licensing that you need to know about. The fixed wing PPL, NPPL, LAPL licence and the associated flying ratings are all affected. There are also changes for sailplanes and balloons.

Most changes come into force on the 1st October 2025, and pilots should familiarise themselves with any changes that may affect them.

More information can be found at www.caa.co.uk/ga – Licensing & training simplification | UK Civil Aviation Authority.

Discontinuation of issuing the LAPL (A)

From 1st October 2025 the CAA will only issue NPPL(A) and Part FCL PPL(A). Any UK issued Part-FCL LAPL(A) licences already issued will remain valid. The LAPL(H) will continue to be issued. For those on an existing LAPL (A) course, all training completed so far will be credited.
The CAA is shortly to publish the NPPL(A) CAP which will be communicated to training organisations.

NPPL (Aeroplanes) requirements

The NPPL(A) requires at least 32 hours flight time which must include at least 10 hours of supervised solo. Pilot medical declaration will be acceptable for the initial issue of the NPPL.

For the NPPL(A), either the Part FCL exams or Microlight NPPL Exams may be taken. Where the Microlight NPPL Exams have been passed, if an NPPL(A) holder subsequently wishes to upgrade to the PPL(A), a set of five bridging exams will need to be sat.

SSEA/SLMG to SEP/TMG

The SSEA (Simple Single Engine Aeroplane) rating on the NPPL(A) will be replaced by the SEP (Single Engine Piston) rating to align with other UK-issued licences. While the privileges remain the same (2000 kg MTOW) holders of the new SEP rating will now also be allowed to fly microlight aeroplanes after completing appropriate differences training, without needing a separate microlight rating. Those who obtain an SSEA rating before 1/10/25 will automatically be deemed to hold the SEP rating, with no need to update their licence. Training completed before that date will still count toward gaining SEP privileges afterward. The SLMG rating will also become the TMG rating.

Flying abroad

Remember that both the NPPL and the LAPL are sub-ICAO licences, meaning they are not automatically valid for flight outside the UK. The same goes for pilots operating on a Pilot Medical Declaration for any licence, as this is a sub-ICAO medical. Pilots must check with the state they plan to fly in (or over) the acceptance of any sub-ICAO qualifications.

Changes to the Part-FCL PPL(A)

The Part FCL PPL(A) will require at least 40 hours of flight time as pilot of aeroplanes. This will include 10 hours of supervised solo flight time and a qualifying cross-country flight, as per existing requirements. We are permitting more flight time to be credited from three axis control system microlight aircraft. However, the supervised solo flight time and the licence skill test must still be completed in an SEP or TMG.

The practical syllabus is also seeing the introduction of training in partial engine power loss scenarios and the use of VFR moving map devices.

Revalidation requirements 

Minor changes will apply to revalidating class ratings for single engine piston aeroplanes, touring motor gliders, microlights, and ratings endorsed as simple single-engine aeroplanes or self-launching motor gliders:

• For Part-FCL ratings, up to 6 of the required 12 flight hours may now be flown in the first year of validity.
• A standard minimum of 6 hours as pilot-in-command now applies to both PPL and NPPL holders.
• The requirement for 12 take-offs and landings remains unchanged.

LAPL holders (aeroplane category) will move to a fixed validity system by October 2026, in line with the Part FCL PPL.

New guidance will also apply to help pilots make the most of biennial refresher training to maintain skills and knowledge when revalidating by experience.

Aerobatic rating

For licences issued under the Air Navigation Order (Including NPPL) after 30th September 2025 it will be a requirement to hold an aerobatic rating before conducting aerobatic manoeuvres.

Use of non-Part 21 Aircraft for training towards Part-FCL licences

Where a non-Part 21 aircraft has a Certificate of Airworthiness, or a permit to fly  accompanied by permission (www.caa.co.uk/ors4 - ORS4 1585) for commercial operations under Article 42 of the Air Navigation Order, there will not be a requirement in for a separate CAA safety assessment of the aircraft before use at an Approved Training Organisation (ATO) or Declared Training Organisation (DTO).

The Head of Training at the ATO or DTO is still required to assess aircraft is suitable to be used for flight training.

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Published: 04 July 2025

FAA US AGENT FOR SERVICE or USA Address - Deadline July 7 2025

A certificate holder that does not register an agent for service by the July 7, 2025, deadline is not able to exercise the privileges of their certificate(s) and is subject to an enforcement action, which can, and most likely would, include up to certificate revocation.

An applicant who has not registered an agent-for-service before they apply for a certificate will not be issued said certificate.

BE AWARE that:

Pursuant to 14 CFR. 3.303, individuals who hold a certificate, rating, or authorization issued under 14 CFR Part 47, 61, 63, 65, 67, or 107, who fail to timely designate a U.S. agent for service and comply with the requirements under 14 CFR Part 3, subpart C, may not exercise the privileges of any certificate, rating, or authorization issued under 14 CFR Part 47, 61, 63, 65, 67, or 107, and an individual aircraft owner's aircraft registration certificate will be considered ineffective. The FAA may take enforcement action against these individuals consistent with FAA Enforcement and Compliance Order 2150.3.

The regulation also provides that after the deadline for compliance passes, applicants of any certificate, rating, or authorization issued under 14 CFR Part 47, 61, 63, 65, 67, or 107, who fail to designate a U.S. agent for service and comply with the requirements under 14 CFR Part 3, subpart C shall not be issued a certificate, rating, or authorization under 14 CFR 47, 61, 63, 65, 67, or 107.

If you wish to continue to exercise the privileges of an FAA Certificate, or be issued with a certificate or ratings, the steps needed to comply are:

If you have a physical US Mailing Address:

Login to the FAA Airmens Service https://amsrvs.registry.faa.gov/amsrvs/Home/ and update your mailing address.

If you don't have a physical US Mailing Address:

1. Sign up to an FAA approved Agent for Service in the USA.  AOPA US has been working on a Registered Agent for FAA Mail Service and the service is now available here: https://www.aoparegisteredagent.com/
2. Login to the FAA Airmens Service https://amsrvs.registry.faa.gov/amsrvs/Home/ and make a note of your FAA Tracking Number (FTN).
3. Inform the FAA of your appointed Agent for Service: https://usas.faa.gov/disclaimer and register/login (see also https://usas.faa.gov/documentation-external-designate )

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Published: 02 June 2025

sGAR: Expired BRPs and expired EUSS BRCs no longer acceptable for evidencing permission to travel to the UK.

If a passenger has an eVisa, they may no longer have a physical visa or other permission document to inspect. The sGAR web user service will return a ‘Valid Permission to Travel’ message when the Home Office is able to automatically confirm a valid digital permission (whether an eVisa or an ETA) for the passenger. Pilots, operators, and agents should rely on this message as satisfactory evidence that a passenger has a valid UK immigration permission, and no further visa checks are necessary to establish the passenger’s permission to travel. However, pilots, operators, and agents should continue to check that all passengers are in possession of a valid passport, and that all documents are genuine and held by the rightful holder.

Some passengers may still only have a physical document proving their visa or permission to travel. In these cases, the sGAR web user service will return a ‘Authority to Carry Granted’ message from the Home Office. However, presenting a valid, genuine, physical proof of permission also remains satisfactory evidence of a passenger’s permission to travel to the UK.   

Where a Valid Permission to Travel Found’ message is not received, the passenger may still have a valid immigration status and carriers will need to perform alternative checks to satisfy themselves that the individual has a permission to travel to the UK.

For further advice on a passenger’s permission to travel, the UK Border Force Carrier Support Hub is available 24/7 if further advice is required on 0 300 369 0610 or +44 204 619 6020.

Additional resources including the Information Pack can be found here.

Acronyms:

BRP: Biometric Resident Permit

BRC: Biometric Resident Card

EUSS: EU Settlement Scheme

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Published: 22 May 2025

AIP GEN 3.4 - 3.2.6 Common Air-to-Air Channels for General Aviation

Two channels 123.065 and 123.135 have been assigned for Air-to-Air communications. These channels should be used to share important safety information between pilots, where information is not provided by other services, such as ATC or FIS, mainly in uncontrolled airspace.

• Sharing Weather Issues
• Formation Flights
• Flights in Areas without ATC (Airspace Classes Golf and Echo)
• Flights in Areas without FIS Coverage
• Local Competitions (within Flying Clubs)
• Self-Coordination

The channels will eventually be allocated European-wide to enable cross-border communication without the necessity to retune to other channels. The use of 123.450 should be stopped.

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Published: 12 May 2025

EASA SERA amendments - Effective date 1 May 2025

The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has introduced several significant amendments to the Standardised European Rules of the Air (SERA), effective from 1 May 2025. These changes aim to align with updated International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) standards, enhance safety, and accommodate emerging aviation technologies.

If flying in Europe you should familiarise yourself with the changes, especially changes to flight plan requirements. Also note that the Channel Islands have adopted EASA SERA standards.

Article 5 has been removed to streamline the regulatory framework and eliminate outdated provisions.

Regulations (EU) 2023/1772 and 2024/1111 have revised flight planning procedures:

Submission Requirements: Flight plans must be submitted for any flight requiring air traffic control services, crossing international borders, or operating at night beyond the vicinity of an aerodrome.

Content Enhancements: Flight plans now require detailed information, including aircraft identification, flight rules, equipment capabilities, and emergency equipment.
Regulation (EU) 2024/1111 establishes requirements for the operation of manned aircraft with vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) capabilities, facilitating the integration of AAM into the existing airspace structure.

Updates have been made to align SERA with the latest ICAO provisions, including the completion of radio communication failure procedures and the removal of outdated supplements.

ED Decision 2024/007/R provides updated AMC and GM to support the application of the new regulations, offering clarity on compliance expectations.

Implications for UK Aviation:

While the UK has departed from the EU, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) continues to reference and adapt SERA regulations within domestic law. UK SERA applies to all aircraft operating in UK airspace, with supplementary rules to accommodate national requirements, such as VFR flight at night and specific exemptions.

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Published: 28 April 2025

AOPA Response to CAP3094:GA Pilot Licensing & Training Simplification Phase 3 Consultation

The AOPA response to CAP3094 has been submitted to the CAA as follows:

Q5  Do you agree with our proposed changes to the PPL(A) syllabus regarding partial loss of engine power?: Yes

Please share any comments you may have: Partial power loss should be discussed prior to first solo, but should be handled as total loss of power until completion of circuit consolidation.  Students would be unlikely to be able to deal with partial power loss until completion of Ex 16.

Q6  Do you agree with our proposed changes to the PPL (A) and (H) syllabi regarding the use of moving map devices?: Yes

Please share any comments you may have:Training should also include action in the event of the failure of a moving map device in flight and the use of alternatives/back-ups.

Q7  Please enter any comments you may have on the NPPL(A) to PPL(A) theoretical knowledge bridging requirements.

Please share any comments you may have: NPPL(A) SEP/TMG students should normally sit the PPL(A) exams so that NPPL(A) theoretical knowledge is equivalent to EASA LAPL(A) requirements of EASA Part-FCL 'AMC1 FCL.115; FCL.120 LAPL training course and theoretical knowledge examination' in order that potential future mutual recognition of UK NPPL(A) and EU LAPL(A) is not compromised.

Q8  Do you agree with our proposed changes to the PPL (A) and (H) skill test schedules regarding the use of moving map devices? Yes

Please share any comments you may have: Skill Test should include action in the event of degradation / failure of optional moving map devices and the use of alternatives/back-ups.

Q9  Do you agree with our proposed AMC1 to the revised FCL.210.A regarding crediting previous aeroplane experience towards the PPL(A)? Yes

Q10 Do you agree with our proposed GM to the revised FCL.210.A regarding crediting previous aeroplane experience towards the PPL(A)? Yes

Q11 Do you agree with our proposed AMC to facilitate a 35-hour PPL(A) course? Yes

Please share any comments you may have: We agree, but consider it unlikely that many applicants will be able to cope successfully with a 35hr course.

Q12 Please enter any comments you may have on the proposed GM for differences training.

Please share any comments you may have: In GM1 FCL.710(b), delete 'training'.

Q13  Do you agree with our proposed AMC1 and GM1 to the revised FCL.740.A? No

Please share any comments you may have: We partly disagree:

3.2 first bullet point should be amended to ‘Six hours of flight time must be flown in the second year of validity’ for clarity and should be as stated in OID 157-1-12 FCL.740.A(b)(1)(ii).

AMC1 FCL.740.A(b)(1)(ii) is directly from EASA AMC and GM to Part-FCL Issue 1, Amendment 13 and is OK.

GM1 FCL.740.A is excessively verbose for inclusion in UK Part-FCL. The section from “It is recommended [...]” to “[...] from personal experience.” is directly from EASA AMC and GM to Part-FCL Issue 1, Amendment 13 and is OK; however the section from “The following is [...]” to “[...] TEM and decision making” should be deleted and moved to a suitable CAA Standards Document. The bullet point which starts “If the instructor considers [...]” should be amended so that “[...] does not need to[...]” reads “[...] should not [...]”.

Q14  Do you agree with our proposed AMC2 to the revised FCL.740.A? No

Please share any comments you may have: It should not be stated that refresher flight training should normally be conducted as a single flight. As flight time experience can now be spread over 24 months, it would be reasonable for pilots to elect to receive refresher flight training as suits them throughout the period. Both bullet points should be deleted and the following inserted:

• The refresher flight training for the purpose of refreshing knowledge and skills applicable to the privileges of the rating may be satisfied by receiving instruction totalling at least 1 hour, which may be over the course of several flights. In this case, the instructor may only certify the training in accordance with FCL.945 after the required flight time has been completed.

Q15 Do you agree with our proposed AMC3 to the revised FCL.740.A? Yes

Please share any comments you may have: We agree only as a temporary expedient pending formal amendment of FCL.740.A(b)(1)(ii) to include the IMCR/IRR exemption introduced over 15 years ago in LASORS2010, so that it will then read:

“— refresher training of at least 1 hour of total flight time with a flight instructor (FI) or a class rating instructor (CRI). Applicants shall be exempted from this refresher training if they have passed a class or type rating proficiency check, skill test or assessment of competence in any other class or type of aeroplane or by a flight test for the issue/revalidation or renewal of a UK IMC / IR(R) rating.”

This exemption is widely applied throughout the industry and it is imperative that it remains so. If it is not possible to include it in the forthcoming 1^st October 2025 SI release, then an ORS4 exemption should be issued.

Q16 Do you agree with our proposed AMC and GM to the revised DTO.GEN.240 and ORA.ATO.135? Yes

Please share any comments you may have: To avoid any confusion regarding the alternative use of non-Part 21 training aircraft issued with a national permit to fly, ORA.ATO.135/DTO.GEN.240(aa)(1) should be amended to include the word ‘or’ as follows:

(1) hold a certificate of airworthiness issued in accordance with Annex 8 to the Chicago Convention; or

Q17  Please enter any comments you may have on the proposed removal of the AMC/GM listed above.

Please share any comments you may have: We agree with the proposals.

Details

Published: 13 April 2025

Ban on personal imports of meat and dairy products extended to cover all EU countries

The Government has taken measures to prevent the spread of foot and mouth disease (FMD) following a rising number of cases across Europe.   

From Saturday 12th April 2025, travellers will no longer be able to bring cattle, sheep, goat, and pig meat, as well as dairy products, from EU countries into Great Britain for personal use, to protect the health of British livestock, the security of farmers, and the UK’s food security.    

This includes bringing items like sandwiches, cheese, cured meats, raw meats or milk into Great Britain – regardless of whether it is packed or packaged or whether it has been bought at duty free. 

For full details see here.

Details

Published: 08 April 2025

ETA Travel Requirement for eligible European visitors to the UK from 2nd April 2025

Following the opening of the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) scheme to eligible Europeans on 5th March, from the 2nd April they will now need an ETA to travel to the UK.

This means that all non-visa national visitors who do not need a visa will need an ETA. More information about eligibility and when individual nationalities will need an ETA is available at GOV.UK.

Eligible visitors should apply for their ETA through the UK ETA app, which is quick and simple to use and enables most applicants to receive a decision within hours. For more information see: Apply for an electronic travel authorisation (ETA).

Please note: as you are aware, during the current pre-enforcement period, visitors from countries whose citizens currently do not require a visa for short-term visits will still be permitted to travel to the UK even if they do not hold an ETA and must not be refused carriage on this basis. You will not be liable for a penalty charge related to ETA checks (permission to travel), and passengers will not be refused at the border solely for failure to hold an ETA.

People who require a visa to visit the UK will continue to do so and should not obtain an ETA. Those who are exempt from immigration control will not require an ETA.

The introduction of the UK ETA is a significant change for many travellers who previously did not need to interact with the Home Office prior to travelling. The UK Government continues to work closely with the travel industry, international businesses, short-term education providers and other organisations that attract visitors to the UK, to ensure visitors understand the steps they need to take before they travel to the UK.

Please refer to the sGAR Knowledge Hub for more information.