The Air Navigation Order 2016

Flight crew licence requirement – exception for solo flying training in non-EASA aircraft

140.—(1) A person may act as pilot in command of a non-EASA aircraft for the purpose of becoming qualified for the grant or renewal of a pilot’s licence or the inclusion or variation of any rating or certificate in a pilot’s licence within the United Kingdom, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man, without being the holder of an appropriate licence granted or rendered valid under this Order, if the conditions in paragraph (2) are satisfied.

(2) The conditions referred to in paragraph (1) are that—

(a) the person is at least 16 years of age unless the aircraft is a balloon or a glider, in which case the person must be at least 14 years of age;

(b) the person satisfies the requirements of paragraph (3);

(c) no other person is carried in the aircraft;

(d) the aircraft is not flying for the purpose of commercial air transport, public transport or commercial operation other than commercial operation which consists of the giving of instruction in flying or the conducting of flying examinations; and

(e) the person acts in accordance with instructions given by another person holding a pilot’s licence granted under this Order or a Part-FCL licence, in each case being a licence which includes a flight instructor rating, a flight instructor certificate or a flight instructor (restricted) certificate entitling that other person to give instruction in flying the type of aircraft being flown.

(3) A person satisfies the requirements of this paragraph if the person—

(a) is the holder of a valid medical certificate issued in accordance with article 161 and complies with any conditions subject to which that certificate was issued;

(b) is the holder of a valid medical certificate issued in accordance with paragraph MED.A.030 of Part-MED and complies with any conditions subject to which that certificate was issued; or

(c) is the holder of a valid medical declaration made in accordance with article 163 which would be required by virtue of article 163(2) for the person to exercise the privileges of the relevant licence or rating.