Flying N Reg with EASA licence? (2025)

Irv Lee - (R/T & Flight Examiner)
Deconfusion & Preflight Aide-Memoire:

http://tinyurl.com/pilotpal

UK GA Twittering not Tw@ering: @irvleeuk

No change - ref FAR 61.3

http://www.peter2000.co.uk/aviation/mis ... index.html

http://www.euroga.org

FAA CPL/IR
JAA PPL/IR
Banned from Flyer 2020

I return fresh from asking a number of questions at the CAA licensing counter today, one of which was flying N-reg twins, some of which are now classed as annex II.

I was told quite categorically, a EASA license does not confer privilege to fly annex II aircraft UK or foreign registered. A UK national license does however.

According to staff one would need a UK national license to fly annex II in UK airspace.

So I await for the answer in writing as I requested with baited breath as this was the opposite to what I have understood, I thought EASA licenses gave rights to fly UK registered annex II aircraft.

The next question- for the FAA is if I have a 61.75, based on my UK national license, with an appropriate class rating (an MEP) in this case - will this suffice to validate my 61.75 as valid (obviously reliant upon an up to date BFR?)

If the answer is no, then I will be asking AOPA how, exactly one is expected to own and operate an N-reg twin which has now been relegated to Annex II status in UK and Europe as a whole legally.

It is my opinion that this legislation is confusing, too complex, bureaucratic and down right dangerous from the point of view of the average private pilot making sure they have the relevant licensing requirements to fly in some of the more "unusual" situations. Actually is it that unusual to find someone wanting to fly an N-registered twin which is now considered annex II by EASA??

My heart goes out to the CAA staff who are no doubt having a tough time trying to answer all these issues and questions.

Rant over.

Ian

PPL(A), Night, SEP, MEP, IR-ME SP
FAR61.75
AME: https://northwestaeromedical.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/nwam.co.uk

Ian,

I'm happy to answer the question: however, you have presented the same request on two threads.

If you answer the aircraft type question on the other thread, it will help me to check that it is indeed Annex II. I can then give you a full answer on how best to proceed.

All the best,

Cookie

Cookie, the type in question is a PA23-150.

We wanted to know if it was on the UK register can a EASA license holder with MEP class rating fly one.

The other question and hence also posting on this topic was to also answer the question, if the PA23 is on the N-reg (it currently is!) does the EASA UK license with MEP rating allow flight in UK airspace like the JAR-FCL once did?

Finally, a FAA61.75 based on the EASA license above needs to be considered. Would it be valid? The EASA license is valid, RT and medical valid and the MEP class rating revalidated and in date.

Ian

PPL(A), Night, SEP, MEP, IR-ME SP
FAR61.75
AME: https://northwestaeromedical.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/nwam.co.uk

UPDATE

Had a phone call from CAA Personal Licensing half an hour ago, correcting the advice I was given yesterday...

Verbally I have been told....

"A UK EASA PPL allows one to fly Annex II aircraft which do not need a specific type rating, and are covered under appropriate class ratings (e.g SEP or MEP) alone, within UK airspace"

"It appears the ANO allows a UK EASA PPL holder to fly foreign registered Annex II aircraft [presumably those that if on the G-reg the same UK EASA PPL would confer ability to fly] within UK airspace"

"This is national legislation, based within the ANO - and not a EASA directive, designed to help prevent those who may fly Annex II aircraft not requiring type specific ratings from having to hold and maintain two licenses (a EASA PPL and a UK National PPL)"

The authority are kindly looking at the wider picture including what happens if one leaves UK airspace, and flies within another EASA states airspace (we can guess!), and whether the FAA61.75 is valid based on this national-only legislation.

I will update you when I know more.

Ian

PPL(A), Night, SEP, MEP, IR-ME SP
FAR61.75
AME: https://northwestaeromedical.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/nwam.co.uk

The only caveat is the status of sub-ICAO licences such as the LAPL. The CAA didn't know whether FAR61.3 included such licences, neither did the FAA people to whom they spoke.

So the FAA is now investigating further. Until then, anyone flying an N-reg aircraft on anything less than a PPL should note that they do so at their own risk - and could be liable for £M lots should they jump the gun, have an accident and then find that their sub-ICAO licence was deemed non-compliant with FAR 61.3.

Freshly received from the CAA FCL Dept. today:

I have examined the ANO and Cap804 but remain confused as to the following items.

I would be very grateful if you could please clarify whether I am entitled to fly the following aircraft in UK airspace:

I live and work in the UK and am British. I renewed my UK JAR-FCL(PPL) in September 2011. I have a valid EASA Class 2 Medical, valid RT license and Night, IR(R), and MEP ratings applied to the license which are valid. I understand that my JAR-FCL license document is accepted as a EASA-FCL. I also, incidentally, hold a valid FAA FAR61.75 (based upon my JAR-FCL) license which gives me night and multiengine privileges.

The aircraft in question is a US registered (N-reg) Piper PA23-150 Apache, which I believe is classed as an Annex II (non-EASA) aircraft. It has numerous STCs applied and would be virtually impossible to bring onto the UK G-register I believe from advice I have had, hence it is maintained upon the FAA's N-register and to appropriate standards of airworthiness.

Does my UK JAR-FCL license allow me to fly (for private non-commercial flights) foreign registered, Annex II aircraft in UK airspace?

A. Yes

Does my UK JAR-FCL license allow me to fly (for private non-commercial flights) foreign registered, Annex II aircraft in other EASA states' airspace?

A. No – because of FAR 61.3

Am I also correct in assuming that my valid FAA based on license (based on my valid UK JAR-FCL license, medical and ratings) affords me privileges to fly a US-registered (FAA) aircraft, of Annex II category, in UK and other EASA states' airspace?

A. If the 61.75 allows this, however you should ask the FAA

Do I need to renew my license again before the expiry date shown upon it? A number of people are telling my I should renew it right now, but as far as I can understand it is already classed as a EASA-FCL and so changing it is pointless?

A. You should renew/convert your JAR-FCL before the expiry date shown on the licence, the EASA Part-FCL licence that will be issued will not have an expiry date; however the Licence Number will change, so the FAR61.75 will need to be re-issued.

Ian

PPL(A), Night, SEP, MEP, IR-ME SP
FAR61.75
AME: https://northwestaeromedical.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/nwam.co.uk

Does anyone know if this is correct

In order to work that out, you need to tell us:

1) what the aircraft type is
and
2) where you are resident