CAP 1823 - Consultation - Conducting paid-for initial pilot training in UK National Permit to Fly Aeroplanes

Sep 29, 2026

Consultation by the UK Civil Aviation Authority proposing to extend paid-for initial (ab initio) pilot training in aeroplanes holding UK national Permit to Fly (PtF). The proposal would allow training for pilots who are not aircraft owners, changing current eligibility requirements. The document explains current regulations, differences between Certificate of Airworthiness (CofA) and PtF systems, potential benefits and risks, and LAA safety mitigations, supported by occurrence data comparisons. Feedback is requested by 17 February 2020.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages27

Reading Time1 h 8 min

AccessFree to download

Chapter 1 : Executive Summary

1.1-1.8 Key proposals and scope

Chapter 2: Next Steps and how to respond

2.1-2.5 Consultation questions, submission, timelines

Chapter 3: Background

Our approach to GA regulation

Chapter 4: How the UK National PtF and CofA systems work

Chapter 5: Current Regulations

Paid for Flight Training

Chapter 6: Background to PtF and CofA safety levels

Chapter 7: Proposal

Chapter 8: Benefits and Risks

Benefits

Risks

Appendix: A Consultation Questions

Appendix B: Technical Occurrences

Appendix C: Types of Permit to Fly Aeroplanes

Appendix D: Safety Mitigations

Appendix E: Glossary of Terms

Consultation: Conducting paid-for initial pilot training in UK National Permit to Fly Aeroplanes CAP 1823 Published by the Civil Aviation Authority, 2020 Civil Aviation Authority Aviation House Beehive Ring Road Crawley West Sussex RH6 0YR You can copy and use this text but please ensure you always use the most up to date version and use it in context so as not to be misleading, and credit the CAA. Published January 2020 Enquiries regarding the content of this consultation should be addressed [to:](to: GA@caa.co.uk)[ ](to: GA@caa.co.uk)[GA@caa.co.uk](to: GA@caa.co.uk) The latest version of this document is available in [electronic format at:](electronic format at: www.caa.co.uk)[ ](electronic format at: www.caa.co.uk)[www.caa.co.uk](electronic format at: www.caa.co.uk) Contents Contents 3 Chapter 1 : Executive Summary 4 Chapter 2: Next Steps and how to respond 6 Chapter 3: Background 7 Our approach to GA regulation 7 Chapter 4: How the UK National PtF and CofA systems work 8 Chapter 5: Current Regulations 10 Paid for Flight Training 10 Chapter 6: Background to PtF and CofA safety levels 12 Chapter 7: Proposal 14 Chapter 8: Benefits and Risks 16 Benefits 16 Risks 16 Appendix: A Consultation Questions 18 Appendix B: Technical Occurrences 19 Appendix C: Types of Permit to Fly Aeroplanes 21 Appendix D: Safety Mitigations 23 Appendix E: Glossary of Terms 26 Chapter 1 Executive Summary 1.1 In keeping with our approach to make the regulation of General Aviation (GA) more proportionate, we are launching a consultation to propose extending paid-for initial (Ab initio) pilot training to be conducted using certain aeroplanes which hold a UK national Permit to Fly (PtF) . Furthermore, we are proposing that this training can now be undertaken by those pilots who are not owners of the aircraft. Currently, to undertake initial training in PtF aeroplanes, the student would need to be an owner or part-owner for this to be acceptable. 1.2 Within this consultation we explain: 􀂃 The current regulations surrounding pilot training 􀂃 The difference between Certificate of Airworthiness (CofA) aeroplanes and National Permit to Fly (PtF) aeroplanes 􀂃 The potential benefits and risks of this proposal 􀂃 A comparison of occurrence data comparing the PtF aeroplane fleet with the Certificates of Airworthiness (CofA) fleet, and 􀂃 The safety mitigations proposed by the Light Aircraft Association (LAA) to provide a comparable level of safety. 1.3 The CAA believes this consultation represents a comprehensive yet proportionate set of requirements and, by implementing the safety mitigation proposed by the LAA, provides a sound basis for maintaining appropriate safety standards of airworthiness as well as ensuring that training and testing for pilots is more accessible. The change could have a positive impact on the flight training sector, including potential cost savings that could encourage greater student up-take. 1.4 Permit to Fly aeroplanes covered within this consultation are: a) Aircraft which have not been built by an approved aircraft manufacturer such as amateur-built aeroplanes including those that are kit-built b) Aircraft which do not have Certificates of Airworthiness (CofA) because they have either never been Type Certificated, or the Type Certificate holder has withdrawn its support for the aircraft type c) Aircraft which have not been designed and manufactured to specified civil standards, such as ex-military aeroplanes with a maximum total authorised weight below 2730kg and a piston engine rating of less than 400hp 1.5 Input from the GA community has been directly included in this consultation as the working group developing the proposal was comprised of key stakeholders from the sector including: flight training organisations, manufacturers, Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA), the BMAA and the LAA. 1.6 This consultation considers a range of futur

FAQs

What is the main proposal in CAP 1823?

Extend paid-for initial (ab initio) pilot training to be conducted using certain aeroplanes that hold a UK national Permit to Fly (PtF).

How would the proposal change who can undertake initial PtF training?

It would allow pilots who are not owners of the aircraft to undertake the training, whereas currently the student needed to be an owner or part-owner.

What information and deadlines are included for responding to the consultation?

A consolidated list of consultation questions is provided in Appendix A, and responses were requested by 17 February 2020 via the CAA consultation portal or by email.

Sep 29, 2026

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