251ST GASCO MEETING -15TH MAY 2008 AT LASHAM AIRFIELD

UKFSC CHIEF EXECUTIVE’S SUMMARY

 

·                    Click for the Agenda.

 

·                    Click for the Chief Executive GASCO report.

 

Major issues arising from the meeting were as follows:

 

·                    The CAA is circulating a proposal to amend the ANO to allow flying training in fixed and rotary wing aircraft from unlicensed airfields. The proposal attracted both positive and negative comment and concerns which centred on safety and environmental issues.

 

·                    There was general concern expressed about the proliferation of wind farms across the UK and their potential technical impact on the GA community and on light aviation airfields in their vicinity. The meeting decided that the Council should engage with the DFT in writing to lay out its concerns.

 

·                     An update was provided on the impact of the legislation to introduce alcohol/biofuel additives into avgas There was a degree of uncertainty on the rationale and the potential consequences behind the CAA advice to GA not to use this type of fuel.   Reference was made to advice on the CAA website.

 

·                    There was discussion on the need to co-ordinate the GASCO and AOPA surveys currently circulating in the GA community, which aim to gather substantive evidence to underpin the retention of IMC ratings, as responsibility for pilot licensing transfers to EASA.

 

·                    The British Microlight Association reported a significant drop in serious accidents this year compared to last (6 vs 24). Of the six, three occurred in training.

 

·                    AOPA reported on an analysis of pilot age in air accidents and found that the risks were significantly higher under the age of 20 and over the age of 70.

 

·                    The introduction of the Farnborough LARS was broadly welcomed but there was concern about the high level of usage and difficulty in contacting them during high work load times. It was suggested that a standard ‘listening’ squawk was established for the GA community to indicate they were ‘listening out on frequency’.

 

·                    Several Members reported serious problems with the availability of parking for helicopters and business jets across the south-east of England for the Olympics in 2012.

 

·                    The escalating price of aviation fuel was causing widespread concern throughout the GA community particularly on the increased risks created by less flying and therefore loss of currency. The consensus of the meeting was that pilots should seek cheaper aircraft options to retain flying hours rather than reduce them.