Legal and Finance Legal Ministerial Decision on Lightweight Aircrafts
Ministerial Decision on Lightweight Aircrafts
Ministerial Decision D2/26314/8802 effective from the 2nd of September 2010 describes the legal framework for the activity, operation, and conduct of flights for lightweight planes, helicopters, sea planes and other lightweight air athletic machines.
The lightweight air athletic machines, which have seating for maximum two people and which have two or more engines, can fly for athletic, recreational, or training purposes. It is strictly forbidden to fly a lightweight air athletic machine for commercial use.
The lightweight air athletic machines may land and take off: i) at any airport provided they have a license to do so, ii) in specific water run ways or sea regions as specified by the Port Authorities.
The lightweight air athletic machines can take place only during the day, in suitable meteorological flight conditions and at a maximum altitude of 12.500 feet.
Foreign lightweight air athletic machines may fly into Greece provided that they hold a valid flying certificate or another equivalent document from the respective country's shipping register. Furthermore, the pilot of the foreign lightweight air athletic machine must conform to Greek legislation and to the regulation herewith.
The pilot of the lightweight air athletic machine is required to hold on board at all times a competent flying certificate, a shipping aircraft certificate, a wireless/radio aircraft license, insurance certificate.
The certificate of flying capability of a lightweight air athletic machine includes the registration number and date of issue of the certificate, the category of the lightweight air athletic machine, model and production serial number, the manufacturer that must be certified and recognized from the country of origin.
If the lightweight air athletic machine is not insured for damages against third parties and for compensation of passengers according to Regulation 785/2004 as enacted by the European Parliament then it cannot fly.
If the lightweight air athletic machine is used for educational purposes then this purpose must be expressly stated in the insurance policy.
Any breach of the aforementioned regulation, air-traffic regulation and any other related laws will have to be reported immediately to the Greek Civil Aviation Service.
The Greek Aviation Service, after receiving a reasoned decision by its Director, has the right to temporarily suspend or permanently remove the license of the individual that has breached the law regarding the use of a lightweight air athletic machine.
Finally, the Greek Civil Aviation Service may impose a fine of up to Euros 5000 for any breach.
By Evangelos. S. Karaindros., lawyer(Member of the Athens Bar Association).
LAW OFFICE OF EVANGELOS.S.KARAINDROS
KLEISTHENOUS 15, 105 52 ATHENS
Tel/fax +30 210 802 6039 cell. +30 6947470807