Part-NCO is Annex VII to UK Regulation (EU) No 965/2012, the Air Operations Regulation. SI 2025/878 describes it as "Annex 7 (non-commercial air operations with other-than complex motor-powered aircraft – part-NCO)". NCO stands for non-commercial operations with other-than-complex motor-powered aircraft.
It is the rulebook a private pilot follows when flying a Part-21 light aeroplane or helicopter for leisure. Points are numbered by subpart, for example:
| Point | Subject |
|---|---|
| NCO.GEN.102 | Cost-shared flights |
| NCO.GEN.105 | Pilot-in-command responsibilities and authority |
| NCO.OP.130 | Passenger briefing |
| NCO.OP.150 | Carriage of passengers |
Article 6(4a) of the Regulation lets cost-shared flights "be conducted in accordance with Annex VII", rather than under the commercial air transport rules, provided the conditions of NCO.GEN.102 are met. That is why a cost-shared flight is flown to the same standards as any other private flight.
The CAA supplements Part-NCO with AMC and GM, such as AMC1 NCO.GEN.102(g) on passenger records. Non-Part-21 aircraft are not subject to Part-NCO; their equivalent rules are in the Air Navigation Order 2016.
Source: UK Reg (EU) 965/2012, Annex VII
Read more in our guides
- CAP 1590 and the cost sharing rules explained What CAP 1590 is, where the UK cost sharing rules come from, and what each NCO.GEN.102 condition means for a private pilot flying with passengers.
- How to give a passenger safety briefing What UK law requires in a passenger briefing, what the CAA recommends you cover, and how to use our free safety video so passengers arrive already briefed.
Related terms
Back to the glossary. Definitions summarise the legislation and CAA guidance and are not legal advice.