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AOPA UK Enews - July 2017



From the Top : Martin Robinson CEO
8.33 kHz VHF/COM Radio UK

I still get asked if there is going to be a further deferral to the implementation date of 1 January 2018 in the UK. The answer at this time is NO.
Given the funding that the CAA achieved, it would really cause problems if the CAA decided to defer the deadline date.

IAOPA opposed the proposal to introduce 8.33 kHz spacing in 1995, when the proposed implementation dates was 1998! So we have managed to defer the implementation by 20 years, but with plenty of warning that it was inevitably going to be introduced. In 2012 the Regulation set out the final requirement.

All new radio fits, including upgrades, have had to be capable of, and be certified where relevant, 8.33 kHz channel spacing since November 2013.

My advice remains as it has always been: Get 8.33 kHz installed as soon as possible and CLAIM YOUR REFUND where you are eligible. Claims for a refund is on a first come first serve until funds are exhausted. Currently, the CAA still have £3 million available, but the final date for receipt of claims is 31 December 2017.

Some suggest that they will go non-radio rather than fit 8.33 kHz radios. That is perfectly legal where non-radio operation is permitted. However, if significant numbers go non-radio and there becomes a demonstrated safety issue in crowded airspace there may be unintended consequences in the form of Radio Mandatory Zones.
Some frequencies, e.g. LARS, will remain on 25 kHz, as well as a few other stations, but all will eventually become 8.33.

After 1 January 2018, I will be lobbying Ofcom to reduce their licence fees for Aircraft and Ground Station Radio licences  as the Aeronautical VHF spectrum will be as efficient as it can be at this time.
The AOPA Pilot Store Online has been closed and we have entered into an arrangement with Pooleys Flight Equipment to give members a 5% discount on eligible products when you shop online and use the promotional code: aopa at checkout. AOPA will also receive a commission on sales made using the promotional code. This should provide you with a better shopping experience for members shopping online, with all parties benefiting.

Our  AOPA Pilot Store in London remains open to welcome visitors in person and with member discount on eligible products.
Martin Robinson
CEO AOPA UK

Are you a CR(I)?

We know that a number of our members are CR(I)'s but currently we don't know who you are as we only have you recorded as Pilot Member or some as Instructor Member, if you have told us you are a CR(I).

We propose to identify our members who are CR(I)'s, so that we can in future target any information relevant to CR(I)'s. This is important because we are expecting EASA changes next year that may affect CR(I)'s. There may also be a formal role for a Seminar attendance.

If you are a CR(I) and either a Pilot or Instructor Member please email cri_poll@aopa.co.uk and provide the following details:
  • Member No
  • Last Name
  • CR(I) Expiry Date
  • Licence No
There will be no change to your AOPA membership card, but we will amend your membership record type to CR(I) and add your email to a CR(I) mailing list.
NATS Blog Launched

NATS are running a series of informative articles or blog posts over the summer period on various topics. These are aimed at making pilots aware of the services offered and aims to help reduce airspace infringements through the use of these services.

The first blog article written by Farnborough LARS, which can be found here.

While this is written by Farnborough LARS, the information is relevant to any LARS unit.

Further Topics include:

  • Airports
  • Airspace
  • Environment
  • Improving Performance
  • Understanding ATC
These can be viewed here.

Selected News Items

Changes to subscriptions, alerts and Information Notices (INs)

The process for sharing alerts, updates and information will change from 24 August 2017.

From 24 August, the current CAA subscriptions service will only be used for safety critical updates (Safety Notices, Safety Directives, Emergency Airworthiness Directives, UK Airworthiness Directives and Mandatory Permit Directives) and publications in our Official Record Series.
 
All other alerts and updates will be sent through our SkyWise system which you can access by subscribing for updates by email, as an app on your phone or tablet, or via the SkyWise website. 

As part of this change Information Notices (INs) will be discontinued from 24 August 2017.  Guidance or alerts currently sent out as INs will instead be shared using SkyWise.

Details of previously issued Information Notices that are still current will remain available on our website

  • As with INs, each SkyWise alert includes a unique reference number (beginning SW) that you can use to track updates.
  • The SkyWise website includes details of all updates issued during the last 12 months
Sign up to SkyWise today to keep up to date with the news that you want – you can register online for email alerts or download the app (available for Apple and Android devices).
 

Acceptance of Training Gained Prior to 17 September 2012

The CAA have published Information Notice IN-2017/012.  Although this was issued in April, it will only apply until the end of September 2017 and will not be re-issued. Pilots who need to make use of the IN’s terms are strongly recommended to complete their training as soon as possible, then apply to the CAA for the ‘temporary exemption’ and have received it prior to taking the Skill Test by the end of Sep 2017.  After that date, it will still be possible until Apr 2018 to obtain an NPPL, then convert it to a LAPL or PPL.  Any NPPL issued after April 2018 cannot be accepted for conversion.

Third Country Licences: Use Within The United Kingdom

The CAA have published Information Notice IN-2017/029. The purpose of IN-2017/029 is to advise on the policy regarding the use of Third Country Licences issued in accordance with ICAO Annex I and their use within the airspace of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (UK). Please note that, In the context of this IN, the airspace of the States of Alderney, Guernsey, Jersey and the Isle of Man are excluded from the area considered UK airspace.

Man prosecuted for flying without a licence


A 68-year-old man, who flew an aircraft without a valid pilot's licence, has been fined and ordered to pay the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) costs. Andrew Hart, took off in a PA 28 light aircraft, from Weston Airport, Dublin, bound for Shobdon Aerodrome, Herefordshire, on 12 December 2016.

Mr Hart had first obtained a private pilot's licence in 1979, but on the date of the flight it was no longer valid. His medical certificate, which is required to validate a licence, had also expired.

On landing at Shobdon Aerodrome, Mr Hart was stopped by a visiting flight training instructor and asked to produce his licence. The training instructor had been concerned that Mr Hart had carried out a landing in poor weather conditions. Having failed to produce his licence, the training instructor informed the CAA, which began an investigation.

Appearing at Worcester Magistrates' Court on 6 July 2017, Mr Hart, of Pembridge, Leominster, Herefordshire, pleaded guilty to one count of flying without a licence in contravention of the Air Navigation Order 2016.

He was fined £600 and ordered to pay CAA costs of £552. Mr Hart must also pay a victim surcharge of £60.

The court heard that during his flight to Shobdon, Mr Hart had also flown through restricted airspace in West Wales, without obtaining air traffic control clearance. MoD Aberporth is a military weapons testing facility, protected by a Danger Area which excludes, all unauthorised aircraft. Mr Hart made no attempt to contact air traffic control before flying through the Danger Area. He was later traced by his aircraft's registration mark.

Speaking after the hearing, Tony Rapson, Head of the CAA's General Aviation Unit, said: “It should be self-evident that anyone flying an aircraft needs to be appropriately licenced for the type of activity they are engaged in.

“Unfortunately, a small number of people still think that the rules don't apply to them and they can carry on regardless, despite the obvious risk to other airspace users and the general public. We will always take action against such people.”
 
Glasgow Prestwick Airport Airspace Change Consultation

Glasgow Prestwick Airport is holding a 13-week consultation, starting on June 14 and ending on September 13, outlining potential departure and arrival routes.

The Airport is undergoing an Airspace Change Process due to the removal of old navigation aids as part of a national replacement programme. The Airport needs to update their procedures to be compatible with new, state of the art satellite-based systems.

The navigation aids that assist aircraft to fly in and out of Glasgow Prestwick Airport are due to be taken out of service in 2018, and in preparation for this, we need to design upgraded routes to meet this date.

Their intention is to replicate the existing conventional routes as closely as possible, however, some changes are required to meet the more modern design criteria.

They are also taking the opportunity to future-proof our airspace to ensure it will accommodate growth and development whilst also looking for improvements relating to noise impact or environmental efficiency.

An online response form is available on the website.

NATS Consultation : Proposed CAS in the vicinity of the Portsmouth & Southern CTAs

NATS have opened an Airspace Consultation regarding a proposed introduction of Controlled Airspace (CAS) in the vicinity of the Portsmouth and Southern CTAs off of the south coast of the UK. This consultation runs from Friday 30th June until Friday 25th August 2017, a period of eight weeks.

The proposal is to introduce a volume of Class C Controlled Airspace from FL125 to FL195 directly underneath the Southern CTA. The adjacent Portsmouth CTA (to the west) FL125+ will be reclassified from Class A to Class C.

The Military will retain primacy over the airspace which contains three Military Danger Areas.

This will deliver a uniform airspace classification of Class C across both airspace volumes and a uniform base of FL125.

It will also enable an improved descent profile for a south to north CDR which is currently under consideration by the CAA and facilitate direct routings to airports in the south of England.

Please see the NATS website for full details

To respond, please use this email link: airspaceconsultation@nats.co.uk

Email attachments will be accepted if you prefer to write a longer, more detailed response.  Please supply files in standard formats such as Word or PDF, maximum file size 5Mb.

Birmingham Airport Consultation on Proposed changes to SID from Runway 33

Birmingham Airport is a strategic national asset, making a significant contribution to the West Midlands economy, serving its demand for air transport and acting as a catalyst to boost employment and inward investment. In 2014 we extended our runway, enabling direct, non-stop services to long-haul destinations in emerging markets, part of a £450 million investment programme to meet the needs of the 12 million passengers who fly from Birmingham each year.

In common with airports throughout the UK, Birmingham Airport is required to make changes to its flight paths, known technically as Standard Instrument Departure routes. They are bringing forward our proposals as part of a national programme which will deliver improvements and efficiencies to the UK’s airspace infrastructure. Before they can make any changes, they must formally present an Airspace Change Proposal, which is the subject of this consultation.

Full details of the proposal can be accessed via our website

Hard copies can be supplied on request by writing to:

Airspace Change Process
Birmingham Airport
Diamond House
Birmingham, B26 3QJ

or by emailing airspacer33@birminghamairport.co.uk
 
This proposal will be subject of a 14 week consultation commencing on Monday 3rd July and will close on Monday 9th October.

PPL Ground School available in Central London

Following the popularity of our courses, AOPA are pleased to advise that a further evening programme of PPL Ground School will be run at our Central London offices.

Starting on 4 October 2016, AOPA will be running ground school for ab-initio pilots. The School will take place at the AOPA offices at
50a Cambridge Street in Victoria and will take place each Tuesday and Thursday evening from 7 till 9pm on the dates shown below.  The AOPA office is just 5 minutes walk from Victoria Station.

All 9 subjects required for the PPL (aeroplanes), will be taught over a period of approximately 70 hours. The lecturer is Adam Winter, a highly qualified and experienced flying instructor who works for the Flyers Flying School at Elstree.

You can read more about the training and subject matter
here

2017/2018 programme:

Air Law  October 3, 5, 10, 12
Operations and Procedures October 17, 19
Human Performance and Limitations October 24, 26
Revision October 31
Exams November 2

Navigation November 7, 9, 14, 16, 21, 23
Meteorology November 28, 30, December 5, 7, 12
Revision December 14
Exams  December 19

Aircraft General Knowledge January 5, 9, 11, 16, 18
Principles of Flight January 21, 23, 25
Revision January 30
Exams February 1


Performance & Planning February 6, 8, 13
Communications February 15, 20
Revision February 22
Exams February 27

It is not necessary to attend the full course and candidates can select the individual subjects they wish to study from the published dates.  You do not have to be a member of AOPA to participate.

Further details can be obtained from Mandy at the AOPA office on 0207 8345631 or
email


Members Working Group

AOPA has a proud tradition of member involvement, many of whom give their time voluntarily to the benefit of all members.

The last MWG Meeting was held at Wellesbourne Mountford on 24 June 2017. Thank you to On-Track Aviation for hosting the meeting and for the excellent attendance by members who joined us. You can view the minutes here.

For individual Members, Pauline Vahey chairs the long running Members Working Group (MWG) which is open to any member.
You can read more about the MWG here.

The schedule of meetings for 2017 is:
  1.   9th September - Gloucester
  2. 18th November   - White Waltham
If you are interested in joining a meeting, or would like to host a future meeting, please contact Pauline Vahey. Meetings normally run from 10:30 to 15:30.

AOPA also runs these influential Committees and Groups:

Corporate Members Committee
Instructor Committee
Maintainers Working Group


Please email the office for further information.

AOPA FI(A) Refresher Seminars
Under EASA rules, you can now attend a refresher seminar at any time during the validity of your FI certificate. If you need an Assessment of Competence, this still has to be completed in the last 12 months of your FI certificate validity.

AOPA FI(A) Refresher Seminars are scheduled for :-
  • 20/21 September 2017 - BOOK NOW TO SECURE YOUR PLACE
  •     7/8  November 2017
  • 17/18  January 2018
  •     2/3  May 2018
  • 19/20  September 2018
  •     7/8  November 2018
The cost for two full days is £275 for non-members and £240 for members. Full details and online booking via the AOPA Website.

Seminars will take place at: AOPA UK, 50a Cambridge Street, LONDON SW1V 4QQ and run from 11:00 to 18:00 each day.

Contact John Pett on 07754 780 335 or email if you want to ask any questions or would like to arrange a Skills (Flight) test.
                               
Copyright © 2017 AOPA UK, All rights reserved.


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