Aircraft licence variation: your questions answered
This page answers some questions you may have about our decision to vary aircraft licences.
We have decided to make changes to both the aircraft and aircraft (transportable) licences, to:
- include all terms and conditions which apply to specific types of aircraft equipment in the schedule of the licence document;
- remove standard terms and conditions from the main licence document and instead refer to the Wireless Telegraphy Licence Conditions Booklet OfW 597 (‘WT Licence Conditions Booklet’), a booklet of standard terms of conditions available on our website;
- include all terms and conditions which apply to specific types of aircraft equipment in the schedule of the licence document;
- ensure all licence terms and conditions are clear and up to date; and
- simplify the type of information we hold on licensees.
For more information, please read the full General Notice of Decision to Vary Aircraft and Aircraft (Transportable) Radiocommunications Licences (PDF, 170.6 KB).
For aircraft licences only, we have decided to present all terms and conditions which apply to specific types of aircraft equipment in the licence document. This avoids the need to carry sperate documents with the licence.
We have also decided to change the way we record the aircraft make and model in our database to align with how they are recorded in the individual aircraft registries and the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) databases. Amended information will now appear in the licence document.
No, we have not made any changes to the current aircraft licence and aircraft (transportable) licence charges.
The changes are meant to simplify the licensing documentation for licensees. For example:
- the changes to how aircraft and equipment information is presented in the licence is intended to make the information more meaningful for licensees and easier to understand.
- the inclusion of any additional terms and conditions applicable to specific equipment types in the licence document itself (rather than in a separate document) is intended to make those additional terms and conditions clearer and more accessible.
We have also simplified our licensing systems and processes. For example, separating all the standard terms and conditions into a separate document (which applies to various other licence types that Ofcom issues) makes changes easier to manage in the future.
A shorter licence document is also be easier for licensees to navigate and all licence documentation will be available electronically if you decide to choose electronic communications as your preferred communication choice.
You do not need to do anything. If you are currently complying with all the terms and conditions of your licence, then you will also comply with all the new terms and conditions.
We will contact you shortly via your preferred method of communication to provide your new varied licence.
Your licence is an important document. Your licence document and radio equipment could be subject to an inspection by Ofcom at any time to make sure that it complies with the terms and conditions and does not cause interference to other users.
We do not require you to print a hard copy of any part of your licence for the purposes of an Ofcom inspection and we will accept an electronic version. You should however ensure your licence is readily available and accessible for an inspection. Ofcom is not responsible for the approach other inspectors may take. It is your responsibility to ensure you comply with any rules set by other authorities both within and outside of the UK.
Yes, provided we follow the formal licence variation process set out in licences and the Wireless Telegraphy Act 2006.
This process happens in two stages. First, we notify licensees of our proposal and give licensees an opportunity to make representations about or comment on our proposal. Second, we consider any representations we receive and within one month publish our final decision.
To implement this variation, we published a General Notice of our proposal to vary aircraft and aircraft (transportable) licences (PDF, 523.1 KB) on our website on 17 January 2022. Licensees had until 20 February 2022 to make any representations.
We published a General Notice of our final decision to vary aircraft and aircraft (transportable) licences (PDF, 170.6 KB) on our website on 18 March 2022.
We are currently in the process of contacting all licensees via their preferred method of communication to provide them with their new varied licence. We will now start to replace all licensees with their new varied licence(s) over the coming months.
No – your new varied licence will include the same equipment as your current licence. In other words, your new licence will allow you to operate the same equipment your licence allowed you to operate before the variation
You must notify us before making any changes to the equipment types you operate as another licence variation may be required. You can notify us of any changes online or by contacting us at spectrum.licensing@ofcom.org.uk. There is no additional charge for changing equipment to your licence.
If you have not received your new document by 18 June 2022, please contact us by email at spectrum.licensing@ofcom.org.uk or by calling 020 7981 3131.
You should also check that that your licence is not due payment which occurs every 36 months. If your licence is due payment, then it may take us longer to issue your new varied licence because we will need the payment to process successfully before we can issue a new varied licence.
We will still accept new licence applications and issue new ones during this variation process. Until our new process fully embeds there is a possibility that we might issue applicants with an old-style licence before automatically sending a new, revised licence that supersedes the existing one. The new licence will reflect the changes we have made to update and simplify licences. Our priority is to ensure applicants always have a valid licence.
Anyone deciding to apply for an aircraft or aircraft (transportable) licence (or continue with a licence application) while the process of sending out new licences is ongoing, will be doing so on the basis they agree to these changes.
Any future licence applications must specify all equipment being used, so that it can be included in the licence.
You can stay up to date about our proposals, decision, and any future changes by subscribing to spectrum email updates.