Certification Made Possible By Recent Changes In CAA Regulations

Gyroplanes have become more popular over the past several years, and commercially-manufactured models are becoming more widely available. Those developments have led to the issuance of the first night gyrocopter ratings in the U.K., according to a report from ADS Advance.

CAA examiner Richard Craske has been working on some of the recent changes in the oversight of gyroplanes in the U.K. He told the publication that the U.K.'s new Air Navigation order that went into effect last year was intended to make things easier for the GA community. The night rating for gyroplanes was one of those changes, and Craske worked with gyroplane instructors Ian Bryant and Steve Boxall to develop the rating.

Those two instructor were granted their ratings on Monday, January 23.

"It's been a very long and complicated process but it's certainly a major step forwards in the gyro world. The next stage of this process is for Ian and Steve to gain the instructional privilege to teach at night," Craske said. "Once this has been completed the night rating will be available to all PPL(G) holders who meet the minimum experience requirements.

He said he designed the course to be part of a new, soon-to-be-introduced commercial pilot's license (CPL(G)).

(Image from file)

FMI: www.caa.co.uk/General-aviation