|
| News |
|
| View news archive |
|
| CURRENT ISSUES CAUSING STRESS |
|
| 11th February 2010 |
|
|
|
|
Before we know it the London Olympics (2012) will be upon us – linked to this major upheaval in the South East of England will be airspace restrictions. However, we have no idea at this stage how CAA plans to restrict airspace access near to the Olympic venues. But we do know they will. Recently the Aviation Security Division of the DfT hosted a meeting to discuss EC Regulation 300 which replaces the existing Regulation 2320 which lays down the Security requirements for aircraft operations above 10 tonnes. EC 300 becomes law on 29th April 2010 and will apply to all aircraft – however, EC 1254/2009 permits Member States to derogate from the full EC 300 requirements – this is not an exemption as States need to provide details on how “alternative measures” will be implemented for all aircraft below 15 tonnes (including balloons, gliders and ultra lights). At the time of writing we have not seen the “alternative measures”. However, in the USA the TSA is to leave most GA security to GA – let’s hope Europe does likewise.
Another DfT consultation that the GA industry has been working on is the update to the Regulatory framework for aviation – AOPA’s main concern amongst other issues, is the proposal to remove the current funding of the Aviation Enforcement Branch of the CAA from the taxpayer (i.e. DfT) and get the “users” to pay for the cost of enforcement – AOPA is objecting to this as we believe it is wrong for industry to cover the prosecution costs.
Ofcom: – it is clear that GA will be facing yet another charge through Ofcom’s intention to charge for Spectrum – in particular VHF frequencies. Ofcom argues that although 25khz will be 3 times the price of 8.33khz, the objective of AIP (Administrative Incentive Pricing) is to improve the efficient use of Spectrum – until it was pointed out Ofcom did not seem to realise that “Little Snodgrass” aerodrome has no ability to decide for itself to move from 25khz to 8.33khz! It has to be part of a national plan.
Ofcom did not understand that market forces cannot be applied to aviation in this way. It was then suggested to AOPA that 8.33khz would provide the most efficient use of the Spectrum and therefore our industry should be lobbying the CAA to move to 8.33khz so as to save money. It was pointed out that if this was the case and we went to 8.33khz then Ofcom would have achieved its goal so why would AIP still apply? The answer was that in time it may not! Ofcom intend to apply these charges from early 2011 although they have agreed to a phasing in over 5 years of the full set of charges. AOPA is concerned about the ability of the CAA to maintain a safe airspace environment should aerodromes decide to give up frequencies.
Sources:
Applying pricing to the aeronautical sector – Second Consultation closes 22/03/10 - www.ofcom.org.uk/consult/condocs/spectrum_pricing
Regulating Air Transport – proposals to update the Regulatory framework – 11/03/2010 ends - www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/aviation/regulatoryreform
DfT AVSEC – www.dft.gov.uk/consultations/open/aviationsecurity ends 03/03/2010
At the same time that we have these National Consultations the European work still goes on as Single European Sky & SESAR marches on. It is often difficult to quantify our success where so much of what we do relates to retaining the status quo and that is difficult to get across to pilots who see no change!
Finally, IAOPA has been lobbying BMW (who have a propeller as their logo) over the proposed removal of GA from Furstenfeldbruck in favour of a BMW test/race track. Why not lend your support to our German GA colleagues by emailing BMW with your views at www.aopa.de/aktuelle-news/bmw-contra-fuerstu.html
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
Join AOPA. We're supporting
your right to fly! |
|
 |
|
|
AOPA Membership entitles you to great
benefits,
insurance advice and much more! Find
out more |
|
|
|
|
|
It's time to Renew/Revalidate
your JAR-FCL Instructor Rating
(fixed wing or rotary) |
|
|
|
AOPA will be conducting further
Flight Instructor Renewal
Seminars as follows: |
|
23-24 Mar 10 - Bristol University
20-21 Jul 10 - Wycombe Air Park
16-17 Nov 10 - Wycombe Air Park
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
FREE General Aviation
Magazine for AOPA
Members and students |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Subscribe to the FREE
AOPA
mailing list for latest updates! |
|
 |
|
|
|
|
