[Avionics Today 02-11-2015] As part of its response to the U.K government’s challenge to limit regulation for General Aviation (GA) operators, the U.K.’s Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has relaxed the need for GA aircraft to carry certain equipment when flying under Instrument Flight Rules (IFR).


The change means that aircraft flying on IFR private flights do not necessarily need to comply with the equipment levels laid out in “Schedule 5” of the Air Navigation Order. As such, instruments such as VHF Omni Directional Radio Range (VOR), Distance Measuring Equipment (DME) or Automatic Direction Finder (ADF) are no longer required just because an aircraft is flying IFR in controlled airspace. However, they must be carried when the route or airfields to be used demand them. 
Pilots taking advantage of this change are reminded to ensure they still have a backup system of navigation should their primary system fail.


The change doesn’t affect requirements to have a radio and transponder in certain airspace or any other stipulations, such as Performance-Based Navigation (PBN) requirements.