Night and IFR approval for Permit to Fly aircraft following CAA-LAA agreementAircraft operating under a Permit to Fly airworthiness approval, and overseen by the Light Aircraft Association (LAA), can now be authorised to fly at night or under Instrument Flight Rules (IFR).

The UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has announced that aircraft operating under a Permit to Fly airworthiness approval, and overseen by the Light Aircraft Association (LAA), can from today be authorised to fly at night or under Instrument Flight Rules (IFR). Such aircraft have previously been restricted to daytime flights under Visual Flight Rules (VFR).

The change of policy will allow owners of LAA ‘Permit’ aircraft to apply to the organisation for permission for night and/or IFR operations. The LAA will then base their decision on design criteria for the aircraft type and continuing airworthiness assessments.

The CAA said its decision will allow existing well-equipped aircraft access to the IFR environment and encourage other candidate aircraft to become better equipped. It should also result in more pilots undertaking training to obtain instrument ratings.