About A8-20
NWMAS Ltd holds CAA BCAR’s A8-20 E4/M5 approval for maintenance and issue of CAA Permit to Fly for ex-military aircraft, approval number DAI/9803/01.
A8-20 is fully described in CAP553 (see link below), ex-military aircraft must be maintained by an appropriately approved organisation and must have the Permit to Fly recommendation submitted by the approved organisation.
For new aircraft going onto the UK register an E4 approved company must submit a design report confirming that the aircraft is suitable for the issue of a Permit to Fly. For new types this requires the submission of the safety case and an outline of the basic details of the aircraft so that the CAA can determine the category the aircraft will be approved under. These categories are: Simple single engine piston (Spitfire etc); intermediate (all turbine aircraft unless deemed complex i.e. Tucano, Hunter, Strikemaster etc); complex (Vulcan).
Aircraft in the first two categories listed above are viable for most owners as they can be maintained and supported by an A8-20 approved organisation.