Post Brexit Maintenance Approvals

[Dave-McCormick]

The following statement from the BGA seems a bit of a worry. What does it mean for the refinishing of the K-21?

The post-Brexit Trade and Commerce agreement does not include an aviation maintenance annex. As a result, as previously reported, maintenance certified under EASA approvals is not acceptable under UK Part M and UK Part ML. So EASA Form 1’s cannot be accepted in the UK from 31st March 2022, ie the date on which a UK CAA exemption ends. From that date, EASA approved companies need to be approved by the UK CAA and issue UK approved Form 1’s.

Unfortunately, most EASA approved companies that supply sailplane owners seem unwilling to obtain UK CAA approval. The BGA has discussed the topic with suppliers and has met with the CAA to consider the options in detail and more information will be supplied as soon as it is available.

[Adrian]

Brexit - a bonus for all!

[BarryL]

Dave, Tim and I queried this when it first came to light last year. The company in Poland who we are using for the refinish does have all the necessary approvals. I haven't kept the details but Tim will have them.

As Adrian points out,this is a consequence of Brexit. Another aspect that I find particularly frustrating is that I used to be able to buy spares from suppliers in the EU in the same way as I would from a UK source - just order and pay, and it turns up in the post. Post Brexit, some smaller suppliers simply won't supply to UK customers because it is not worth the customs hassle. If a company will supply to the UK, the delivery is subject to UK VAT which now has to be collected at the border before the goods can be sent on for delivery. And the handling agent charges a fee for collecting that VAT. Delays and additional expense...

Apologies for the thread drift!

Barry

[Dave-McCormick]

No Barry. That is spot on. I am finding the costs of buying a glider from the EU have increased ridiculously. If I were to buy a glider from an EU country before Brexit, I would have had to ensure it was deregistered in the home country and pay for re-registration in UK. Remarking costs were about it. Now, I have to pay for an export CofA too and then, even for a used glider, pay 20% UK VAT on import. Then the glider needs a new first-ARC. That adds to the price and probably explains why used glider prices are inflating in UK. The hidden “benefits” of Brexit!

[Tony Brown]

Dave, I have imported 3 aircraft from Europe over the past 5 years (including my current Discus) and you are right, on balance, it is now probably more hassle than it’s worth. However from a financial perspective, prices in Europe have generally been 10-20% lower and there is much much more choice meaning owners are happy to haggle. With an exchange rate of around 1.2€\£ there probably wouldn’t be much in it apart from the travel costs. That said, I think it would be difficult to persuade a European seller to go to the lengths of applying for an export CofA which in any case has a very brief period of validity so you would really have to be quick in getting your paperwork processed at this end by the CAA who are notoriously slow in any case.
My Discus started its life in the UK before spending time in France and then Denmark before I brought it home’ in 2020!