Dear all,
The list doesnt often hear from me but I felt compelled to
write to the CAA regarding their changes in rules
regarding flight to the UK in foreign permit aircraft.
This is what I penned. Havent sent it yet- thought I'd get
the list views first.
It particulalry annoys me because I'm enjoying european
'no permission' overflight rights for a UK permit aircraft
as I bum around europe in my UK registered europa (G-CDEX)
whilst living and working in Germany for a year.
anyway, here it is.
Apologies - bit hurried and 'off the cuff'.
Justin Carter
Dear Sir / Madame,
I would like to complain about the changes to the rules
regarding the 'Flight in UK Air Space of Foreign
Registered Home-Built Aircraft.'
There is a Europe wide community of 'permit to fly' type
llight aircraft. These aircraft have hitherto been able to
cross national airspace boundaries without prior
permission (other than being required to submit a flight
plan like the rest of the aviation community). This
facility has contributed to the growth of the permit
aircraft scene across europe. It makes good sense - for
example -the Belgians wouldnt dream of imposing pre flight
permission on French 'permit' aircraft. The aircraft of
these countries cross national boundaries on a daily
basis. The permit aircraft scene is burgeoning in other
countries (like France and the Czech Republic) and this
growth is contributed to by fewer (not more) restrictions
on movement.
My problems with the new rules are:
1) In an era of growing European harmonisation and
movement we take a step backwards and begin imposing
preflight permission requirements on foregin aircraft.
2) there aren't enough of these foreign visitors
contributing to our aviation community and industry as it
is ( mostly dissuaded by high airfield charges and poor
weather), we should be encouraging this intergration not
hindering it.
3) No doubt the CAA will clain the the new rules are not a
hindrance to visiting aircraft. This is simply not the
case. The rules are guaranteed to dissuade pilots from
visiting UK airspace , going to UK events and airshows /
fly-ins etc. The French pilot looking for a 'weekend away'
will turn away from UK airspace and its red tape and head
for Germany instead.
4) The UK CAA's unilateral withdrawl of 'free skies
arrangements' will prompt other european states to do the
same - effectivley shutting down easy movement of permit
aircraft across europe.
5) This is another example of UK 'isolationism'. We
commonly see this way of thinking exhibited by our CAA -
the usual reasoning is a false impression that UK
airworthiness and safety standards are superior to those
of our neigbours and we need to be 'protected' from their
aircraft. I think this way of thinking is not based on
fact and is quite condescending.
I understand that some changes were necessary to prevent
aircraft with 'foreign' permits from residing permenantly
in UK airspace. I think this intention could have been
achieved in many other ways without resorting to a new
system which will impose a significant hindrance to flight
of foreign aircraft into the UK and may contribute to the
breakdown of reciprocal open skies arrangements which
would be a further burden on our flagging General aviation
industry.
I look forward to your response.
Yours sincerely,
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