Has anyone applied for a CAA permit recently?

[Steve]

Has anyone applied for a CAA permit recently? and if so how long did it
take to come through.

I applied for a permit on a new site over 10 weeks ago and its still not
come through - I chased them a couple of times and all I got was: its in
the queue.

    Steve G8KHW


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[John Laidler]

I applied about 5 weeks ago for a launch this week which due to hardware issues won't now take place. The authorization came through last week about 4 days before the start of the launch window. The same happened with my last launch - it only came through a few days in advance.

John

M0WIV 

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[Steve]

Thanks John - I guess this was this on a launch location you have had a permit for previously?

Maybe I've ruffled a few feathers.

    Steve

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[John Laidler]

Steve,

Yes it was, I forgot to add that.  I listed the previous permits on the application so I guess that makes it easier for them.

John

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[Nick McCloud]

The Packwood / Woodi launch was lodged before the 28 day notice and I ended up chasing round on the phone the afternoon before for a couple of hours to get the permission & have the NOTAP (people) lodged. I get the impression it is just too much to do & not enough people. It would actually reduce their workload if they gave those of us with a (relatively) clean track record a designated launch site and we just lodge the NOTAP as required.

It would be interesting to see what the response is if someone lodged a bog standard permission request to run for a whole month with a launch each day between 8am and 3pm. And then rinse & repeat. I can't imagine what grounds they'd have to refuse the permission. This really does look like actual red tape.

[Steve]

I've still not got my Permit and its over 3 months since I originally
submitted the application and now 2 months overdue (past the requested
start date).  I've inquired about progress 3-4  times and got nowhere.

The time before last I got a nonsense reply saying the permit would be
issued closer to its start date - when that date was already passed.  I
replied back pointing out the error - but got no reply.

I've lost the best flying part of the year (the summer months).  I have
a real gripe with the CAA - as the permit was driven by a change of site
as a result of airspace changes that I was never consulted on.

One wonders if there is something else going on here that they aren't
communicating.

I'd welcome any suggestions on how to handle this - should I just wait
or kick up a fuss and escalate.  If the latter has anyone got a view of
the complaints process and perhaps structure within the CAA?

    Steve G8KHW

[Nick McCloud]

On Wednesday, 17 September 2025 at 16:47:53 UTC+1 Steve wrote:

One wonders if there is something else going on here that they aren't
communicating.

I'd welcome any suggestions on how to handle this - should I just wait
or kick up a fuss and escalate.  If the latter has anyone got a view of
the complaints process and perhaps structure within the CAA? 

As my permission for the BWC launch arrived the day after it was requested and after some reminders, I did ask for some feedback on how we (the HAB community) could 'help' make it easier on both sides. The Packwood launch got exceptionally stressful as I spent 3 hours chasing round on the phone & email the day before whilst packing the car - so much so the I left the office & shed wide open when I left, my wife was not impressed when she got home.

I get the impression that they just don't have enough hands in AROps rather than explicit policy changes.

As I've not had a response to my email asking what's up, I'll ask who's best to talk to about such matters. 

Steve, from your perspective it is well in to complaint territory being so overdue. They should publish some form of complaints system. I'm never keen on it being classed as a complaint, I prefer to have a "we need to talk about this" process to get things sorted.

[Steve]

The reminder I sent yesterday seems to have paid off as they issued the Permit today. Yay.

I do note that the condition to contact  Swanwick for final approval is not present - so they have either removed this requirement or have omitted to add it.  I note the new location is outside the London Terminal Control area.  Anyway I'm not complaining - although I'd be interested if there is anyone else with a current permit that does not have the Swanwick contact requirement?

    Steve G8KHW

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[David Akerman]

I'll request my renewal tomorrow, and I'll let you know how that goes. 

My experience with calling Swanwick is that they were generally bemused as to why I would be requested to call them. 

Dave

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