B2: I agree with you there. I think the pics visible on the link at Post #1 show the condition of the aircraft quite well.

Well said, B2.

Hi Galdri: Yes, you are right these aircraft types are known as non-EASA or Annex II aircraft. This means that their basis of certification is contained within the national rules applicable in the country of registry and the new EASA rules are not applicable. Here in the UK the national regulations are contained in books like: CAP 393 The Air Navigation Order 2009 (ANO); CAP 553 British Civil Airworthiness Requirements (BCAR) Section A; CAP 562 Civil Aircraft Airworthiness and Inspection Procedures (CAAIP); and CAP 747 Mandatory Requirements for Airworthiness.

From what you say, in your country your National Aviation Authority allows the use of AC 43-13. Here in the UK that is not directly allowed by the regulations, and the procedures described in the subject books and the posts above are what you have to do in the UK.

For Miles and Percival types, and the range of de Havilland types such as the Tiger Moth and Chipmunk, the UK rules allow them to be issued with an ICAO-compliant Certificate of Airworthiness. This gives them the right of free movement between countries and they may be used for hire and reward. Certain types, which do not have design support of the required form, will be issued with a Permit to Fly (either by the UK CAA [eg warbirds] or through the supervision of the LAA [eg Austers]) and have constraints on their use.

The CAA has issued the following information bulletin – how helpful:

http://www.caa.co.uk/docs/33/20100413SpecialIss5v4.pdf

Austers are termed ‘orphan’ aircraft because their original manufacturer no longer exists. There is no Type Certificate as such and responsibility for the continued airworthiness of the fleet has been passed by the UK CAA to the LAA. All UK aircraft have now transferred from a CofA to a Permit to Fly and largely opeerate as they did before. However, the maintenance procedures are now those of the LAA, and not those of BCAR, and there are some operational restrictions applicable now because of the Permit to Fly and not the full CofA.

Check out the LAA’s engineering stuff here:

http://www.lightaircraftassociation.co.uk/engineering/engineering.html

I’m not sure how this will affect things in Australia. CASA normally follows the line of the NAA in the State of Design, but perhaps they have not spotted there have been changes in the status of Austers in the UK. Let sleeping dogs lie?

Roger: No probs. Only sorry I only have a postal address and no names or phone numbers.

Tony, I’m afraid you are too late, its already been done. Buy a copy of “Royal Air Force Germany Since 1945” by Bill Taylor, published by Midland, an imprint of Ian Allan, in 2003. ISBN 1 85780 034 6.

Jules: As I understand it, a key factor in the listing of Bicester was work done for English Heritage by some of the people who are now involved with AiX.