Over the past few weeks we have received a number of enquiries as to the situation regarding Streak Shadows and the proposed changes with regard to Microlights etc. which would see the Streak reclassified as a Small Light Aircraft.
Under the proposed changes, an aircraft which is currently outside of the Microlight category could be reclassified as a Small Light Aircraft and hence could be flown on a Microlight licence. This effective downgrading of the aircraft would mean that many group 'A' pilots, for example, who fly the Streak as a lower cost way of maintaining their group 'A' licence, would have to seek dispensation from the CAA to enable hours flown on that aircraft to continue to count to their group 'A' licence. Contrary to earlier belief, the dispensation would also apply to those who fly as part of a group.
The problem comes for those currently building an aircraft which has been reclassified. In this case they will not be able to obtain dispensation from the CAA. The same also applies to reclassified aircraft where it is sold to another party who wishes to fly it as a group 'A' aircraft.
The PFA have recently been testing aircraft for conformance to the SLA category which basically means the aircraft must have an all up weight not exceeding 450kgs, and meet a Vso not exceeding 65km/hr.
At the present time the narrow body (NB) Streak Shadow fitted a Rotax 582 has failed to meet the criteria for an SLA by virtue of the Vso.
The wide body (WB) Streak fitted with the Rotax 912 does meet the requirements and therefore owners can expect to receive notification of the reclassification of their aircraft. Owners will then have to apply to the CAA for dispensation.
CFM Aircraft Limited are working on a modification for the NB Streak, with the aim of enabling it to meet the requirements, however, unless a NB Streak is modified, it will not meet the requirement and therefore cannot be flown on a Microlight licence.
Anyone wanting to buy a NB Streak with the aim of flying it on a Microlight licence will have to ensure it is modified in accordance with any CFM Aircraft modification and get the necessary paperwork from the PFA/CAA.
This page created on: 10th November 99'