Sounds like a fait-accompli as it only asks for
".....comments ..on its detailed provisions.....".
Meaning that the general principle is not open to debate?
Duncan Mcf.
----- Original Message -----
From: "David Corbett" <David.Corbett@fwi.co.uk>
Subject: Europa-List: Attention all European pilots - URGENT!!
<David.Corbett@fwi.co.uk>
>
> Nigel Everett is a very experienced UK GA pilot, and a very well respected
aviation journalist.
>
> The following message is one of many that are now beginning to be
circulated, at least in UK, amongst the GA fraternity. It is absolutely
vital that every pilot takes this threat seriously - failure to influence
Eurocontrol to remove VFR traffic from its net will mean extensive extra
cost, and loads of administrative hassle, and yet more completely
unnecessary European over-regulation.
>
> Start thinking now about what action you propose to take; I already have
copies of replies from 2 important UK GA organisations and, when I have
digested them, I may well post them onto this forum. The blank reply forms
are attached. Note Nigel's warning about the strict format and timing
required for replies.
>
> This is serious - we have all been warned!
>
> David
> G-BZAM - UK 265
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: nigeleverett
> To: (Recipient names deleted to save space - hundred's of them!!)
>
> Subject: Single Sky. All of GA to pay?
>
>
> Dear Colleague
>
> At a recent meeting the UK Department for Trade (DfT) revealed that under
The European Single Skies Policy to which the UK signed up earlier this
year, it has been decided that in future all aircraft, regardless of whether
they are IFR or VFR, and with no minimum weight cut off, should be required
to pay for use of 'services' provided, such as air traffic control, NOTAMS
and weather information, search and rescue and so on, whether directly or
indirectly used. The main criterion for charging is that the aircraft should
land somewhere other than its take off point. No exemptions are offered in
the draft proposals even for gliders, microlights or balloons. The proposals
seem to have been drafted without any thought of their impact on General
Aviation (GA) and are directed mostly at getting short haul airline flights
to pay more and long haul overflying flights to pay less.
>
> Costs are to be apportioned on a total, not marginal, cost basis so that
VFR aircraft will, for example, bear the cost of a VOR if it provides a
service in uncontrolled airspace. This will be regardless of whether the
aircraft actually uses the VOR.
>
> Nothing in the draft proposals suggests that even a light aircraft flying
non radio, from one private strip in uncontrolled airspace to another will
escape being charged. The proposals apply to all civil air traffic and
General Aviation (GA) is not mentioned. It will, apparently, be up to the
governments of individual states to decide how the payments are levied.
Details may be found at http://www.eurocontrol.int/enprm/
>
> DfT is said to be sympathetic to the plight of GA and wants to exclude us
as per the current airways charges exemptions but the regulations do not
permit that unless the Government pays the costs thereof to the Air
Navigation Service Providers - and it won't.
>
> Eurocontrol has been charged with undertaking a consultation on how the
charges are to be made and has given European aviation until 17 September to
make representations. Not only has Eurocontrol imposed this outrageously
short deadline, but it has also declined to recognise any representation
unless it is made on its official form, a copy of which is attached.
>
> I don't think that I need spell out what this proposal could do to
European GA and I hope that you will feel moved to do what you can to argue
for the retention of the current exemption for all VFR aircraft and for IFR
aircraft below the minimum weight for incurring Eurocontrol En Route
charges. If you are willing to join in, I ask that you now undertake two
tasks:
>
> 1. Complete and return the attached form to Eurocontrol by e mail, post
or fax, as shown on the form. You may like to consult whatever aviation body
you belong to as to the detail of your objections and they may have already
formulated some points that they are making in their own representations. I
have set out on an attached sheet three fundamental points that I regard as
being central to the issue. The list, however, is neither exhaustive nor
authoritative: it should not be copied out word for word or it is likely to
be dismissed as a mere duplicate. Set out your objections, remembering all
the time, that it is more important to get some sort of objection properly
registered than to spend days polishing up your irrefutable arguments and
then failing to get the form back in time. If you can also find the time to
copy your objections to your MEPs and MP, so much the better.
>
> 2. Contact as many GA colleagues as possible, by e mail, or however.
Send them a copy of the form and ask them to object and to distribute the
form and a similar request to all of their contacts. An avalanche of
objections from all over Europe would give Eurocontrol a lot to think about.
>
> Please remember that time is desperately short and immediate action is
needed.
>
> Thanks
>
> Nigel Everett
>
>
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