I, COLIN TORKINGTON, Acting Director, Directorate of Aviation Safety Regulation, a delegate of the Civil Aviation Authority, under regulation 174A of the Civil Aviation Regulations, issue the instructions set out in the Schedule.
SCHEDULE
Part 1—Radio communication equipment
Radiocommunication equipment to be carried
1.1 (1) An aircraft operating under the V.F.R and engaged in an operation specified in column 2 of an item in the Table must, subject to this clause, be equipped with the radio communication equipment set out in column 3 of the item.
Table
Column 1Item No.
Column 2Operation
Column 3Equipment required
1.
Regular public transport operations
(a) 1 VHF and 1 HFsystem;OR(b) 2 VHF systems
2.
Charter operations other than operations referred to in item 3
1 VHF system
3
Charter operations outside VHF range of an air traffic control unitor flight service unit
1 VHF system and1 HF system
4
Operations at night other than operations referred to in items1, 2 and 3
1 VHF system
5
Operations in controlled airspace other than operations referred to in items 1, 2, 3 and 4
1 VHF system
6
Operations at a height of 5000 feet or more other than operations referred to in items 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5
1 VHF system
7
Operations in an area known as a mandatory traffic advisory frequency area other than operations referred to in items 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6
1 VHF system
8
Operations in reduced VMC outside controlled airspace and below 3000 feet or 1000 feet above ground level (whichever is the higher) other than operations referred to in items 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7
1 VHF system
9
Operations in remote areas in an aircraft that does not carry an emergency locator transmitter other than operations referred to in items 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8
1 HF system
(2) A HF system must be fitted to an aircraft referred to in item 1 of the Table if the aircraft will be operating in an area where the pilot in command cannot maintain continuous radio contact with Air Traffic Control or Flight Service on VHF frequencies.
(3) Subclause (2) does not apply to an aircraft engaged in regular public transport operations if the aircraft carries equipment that enables continuous radio communication with an appropriately-trained representative of the aircraft’s operator.
(4) An aircraft referred to in item 3 does not have to be fitted with a HF system if the aircraft carries equipment that enables continuous radio communication with an appropriately-trained representative of the aircraft’s operator.
(5) A HF system must be fitted with frequencies:
(a) appropriate to the area of operation; and
(b) sufficient to enable continuous communication with Air Traffic Control or Flight Service during the flight including ground operations.
(6) Item 5 of the table does not apply to:
(a) gliders operating at or below 10,000 feet; and
(b) ultralight aircraft operating at a height of less than 2,000 feet above ground level.
(7) The pilot in command of an aircraft:
(a) referred to in item 6, 7 or 9 of the table; and
(b) engaged in private or aerial work operations; and
(c) having a maximum take-off weight of 450 kilograms or less;
may carry, and use, a licensed hand-held VHF radiocommunication system and, if the pilot does so, the aircraft does not have to be equipped with the equipment specified in column 3 of the relevant item.
(8) The pilot in command of a balloon may carry, and use, a licensed hand‑held VHF radiocommunication system and, if the pilot does so, the balloon does not have to be equipped with any other equipment that may be required under subclause (1) in relation to the balloon.
Part 2—Radio navigation systems
Aircraft operating under V.F.R. at night
2.1 (1) An aircraft operating under V.F.R. at night must be equipped with:
(a) an automatic direction finding system; or
(b) a VHF omni-directional radio range system.
Part 3—Other equipment
Aircraft or pilot must carry a timepiece
3.1 (1) An aircraft operating under the V.F.R. must be equipped with a timepiece that is accurate to within 30 seconds.
(2) Subclause (1) does not apply if the pilot in command of the aircraft is carrying a time piece that is accurate to within 30 seconds.
Secondary surveillance radar transponders
3.2 (1) An aircraft operating under the V.F.R. must not start operations:
(a) in controlled airspace; and
(b) within radar coverage of Air Traffic Control;
unless the aircraft is fitted with a serviceable secondary surveillance transponder capable of Mode A and Mode C operation.
(2) Subclause (1) does not apply if the aircraft is operating in general aviation aerodrome procedures control zones and associated lanes of entry.