The Air Navigation Order 2009

Issue and renewal of national certificates of airworthiness

18.—(1) Subject to paragraph (2), the CAA must issue for any non-EASA aircraft a national certificate of airworthiness if it is satisfied that the aircraft is fit to fly having regard to—

(a) the design, construction, workmanship and materials of the aircraft (including in particular any engines fitted in the aircraft), and of any equipment carried in the aircraft which it considers necessary for the airworthiness of the aircraft; and

(b) the results of flying trials, and such other tests of the aircraft as it may require.

(2) If the CAA has issued a national certificate of airworthiness for an aircraft which, in its opinion, is a prototype aircraft or a modification of a prototype aircraft, it may dispense with flying trials in the case of any other aircraft if it is satisfied that the other aircraft conforms to such prototype or modification.

(3) (a) Every national certificate of airworthiness must specify whether it is a Standard or Special Category certificate according to which is, in the opinion of the CAA, appropriate to the aircraft.

(b) A Special Category certificate must be issued subject to the condition that the aircraft may be flown only for the purposes indicated in Part B of Schedule 2 in relation to that category.

(4) The CAA may issue a national certificate of airworthiness subject to such other conditions relating to the airworthiness of the aircraft as it thinks fit.

(5) The CAA may issue a certificate of validation.

(6) Nothing in this Order obliges the CAA to accept an application for the issue of a national certificate of airworthiness or certificate of validation or for the variation or renewal of any such certificate if the application is not supported by such reports from such persons approved under article 244 as the CAA may specify, either generally or in a particular case or class of cases.

(7) In this article, a certificate of validation means a certificate rendering valid for the purposes of this Order a certificate of airworthiness issued for any aircraft registered elsewhere than in the United Kingdom under the law of any country other than the United Kingdom.