The Aviation Safety (Amendment) Regulations 2021

The Aviation Safety (Amendment) Regulations 2021 have been published. The amendments include:

Rules of the Air - Visual Flight Rules come into force on 20th May 2021:

A VFR flight in airspace class D is also deemed to have complied with the Rules of the Air if the aircraft is flown:

(a) during day;

(b) at or below 900 m (3 000 ft) AMSL, or 300 m (1 000 ft) above terrain, whichever is the higher;

(c) at an indicated airspeed of 140 kts or less to give adequate opportunity to observe other traffic or any obstacles in time to avoid collision; and

(d) remaining clear of cloud, with the surface in sight and:

(1) for aircraft other than helicopters, with a flight visibility of at least 5 km;

(2) for helicopters, with a flight visibility of at least 1 500 m.”

A VFR flight in airspace class F or G is also deemed to have complied with the Rules of the Air if the aircraft is flown:

(a) during day;

(b) at or below 900 m (3 000 ft) AMSL, or 300 m (1 000 ft) above terrain, whichever is the higher;

(c) at an indicated airspeed of 140 kts or less to give adequate opportunity to observe other traffic or any obstacles in time to avoid collision; and

(d) with a flight visibility of at least 1 500 m.”.

Pilot Medical Certificates come into force on 28th January 2021:

A Pilot who has made and holds a valid Pilot Medical Declaration (PMD) in accordance with ANO 2016 Articles 163(3) and 163(4) may fly a Part 21 Aircraft in UK Airspace subject to these conditions:

(a) in an aircraft with a maximum take-off mass of *5,700kg or less ;

(b )with not more than three passengers on board;

(d) in visual meteorological conditions or when exercising the privileges of an instrument meteorological conditions rating; and

(e) within the United Kingdom unless the holder has the permission of the competent authority for the airspace in which the aircraft is being flown.

* 2,000kg or less with LAPL or NPPL licence