Ex-military Permit to Fly aircraft will now be able to carry up to four occupants, the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has announced.

The CAA said that the previous ambiguity as to the maximum number of occupants permitted for carriage in ex-military aircraft necessitated a review of CAA policy. Previously, the only permitted occupants of ex-military helicopters, for example, other than flight crew, were two ground crew required for maintenance of the aircraft away from base.

The CAA said the new policy would mean the maximum number of occupants in all ex-military aircraft would be limited to the number of seats fitted, or four persons, whichever is the more restrictive. In special circumstances, such as military versions of civil types, more passengers may be permitted.

Owners of some ex-military aircraft may now need to be issued with a new Airworthiness Approval Note (AAN) and Permit to Fly reflecting the change in policy. Whilst the AANs, and associated exemption to the Air Navigation Order, will be issued within the next month to supersede any current limitations, permits will be re-issued at the time of annual re-validation.
Also being introduced, following the consultation, is a requirement for ex-military aircraft to display a more readily understandable placard warning. This identifies that the aircraft should not be used for commercial passenger flights.

The original consultation document setting out the rule change can be found here www.caa.co.uk/consultation