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Is there demand for a National GA event in the UK?

At the beginning of July AOPA was at the Private Flyer Event in Leeds East. It was a pleasure to meet some of our members and sign up a few new members. I am grateful for the positive feedback about AOPA's work I had from members who did stop by for a chat.

But, although better than last year's event the footfall was disappointing. This was the same experience of the Private Flyer Event at Wycombe Air Park in May.

The AeroExpo UK Event that was to have been held at Cotswold Airport, Kemble, was badged to be the "biggest general aviation event of the year in Northern Europe ". Having attended Aero Friedrichshafen in April I feel this may have been oversell!

I know that many are prepared to travel to the USA for Sun n Fun and Oshkosh and to Aero Friedrichshafen, yet attendance at UK GA shows is generally low.

So I pose the question; is there demand for a national GA event in the UK? If so, what is it that would draw you - where do our current events fall short?

Please do let me have your views: martin@aopa.co.uk

IAOPA Regional Meeting (Summary)

I made a point at the meeting that AOPA UK wants to see more engagement with the non-EU institutions such as Eurocontrol, ICAO and ECAC, which do have an impact on the UK.  I will continue to raise this subject as AOPA UK continue to contribute financially to IAOPA Europe activities.

IAOPA is seeking an air-to-air frequency for Europe which is being addressed through the ICAO frequency management group (FMG) in Paris.

I raised the issue of EASA permit aircraft (now CAA permit) where the aircraft is on the UK register and their ability to fly across Europe, which was lost when the UK left the EU and EASA.  As we know it can be done on an individual basis where owners must make applications directly to the relevant national aviation authority. Several AOPAs in Europe are willing to help if our members have a problem in speaking to the right people at NAAs to get an approval.

CAA Airspace Modernisation Strategy Consultation

The AOPA response was submitted online prior to the deadline. The CAA has published 93 responses online. You can read my response, on behalf of AOPA, here. The CAA plan to issue a response document within the next three months.

Autonomous air traffic management will be a huge challenge and it should be noted that ATC systems are still working towards becoming IP based.  Therefore, the management of the lower airspace will I be the biggest challenge in the years ahead for general aviation.  Electronic conspicuity enables a known traffic environment and when combined with the filing of a flight plan this will create a known intent airspace system. The CAA is trying to ensure that future drone operations will be able to assess the safety of airspace environment they would be launching into which is required under the existing safety management systems for drones. AOPA will be working to ensure GA is able to operate freely.

European Travel Approval (ETA)

I continue to engage with the Home Office as the UK continues to amend the rules in relation to the import and export of goods and immigration.  By 2023 GA flights will be subject to more requirements when flying to and from Europe as the UK and the EU both introduce a system known as the European Travel Approval (ETA).  The UK also refers to this as the universal permission to travel and there is a planned consultation in development for later this year. Whilst the universal permission to travel document lasts for up to two years you would still have to submit advance passenger information prior to each flight.

Martin Robinson
CEO AOPA UK
martin@aopa.co.uk
16th Sywell Young Aviators Day - Saturday 10 September 2022: Volunteer Pilots and Aircraft Requested

AOPA is proud to sponsor this year's Young Aviators Day at Sywell on Saturday 10 September.

The Young Aviators day is organised and run by Andre Faehndrich and aims to provide a day to remember for young aviators, many of whom are members of local scout groups, schools and RAF Air Cadets.

You can find out more about the Young Aviators Day here.

The most popular experience for each young aviator is a short flight in volunteer aircraft. In particular there is always a demand for 4 or 6 seat aircraft to maximise the numbers of flight experiences or take family groups aloft.

If you can, please show your support for this event and help attract young people into aviation by volunteering your time and aircraft. Andre will provide full details of operating these flights safely and legally. To volunteer please contact Andre: andre.faehndrich@ntlworld.com

From the CAA General Aviation Partnership Meeting: Updates and Publications released recently

UK Civil Aviation Authority launches consultation on the introduction of SSAC-Class 5: Experience flight in an ex-military jet aeroplane | Civil Aviation Authority (caa.co.uk)
  • Launch of Safety Standards Acknowledgement and Consent (SSAC) Class 5: Experience flight in an ex-military jet aeroplane.
  • This will enable General Aviation operators of these types of aircraft to provide remunerated flight experiences in line with the already established activity that occurs for ex-military single-engine piston aircraft, ex-military helicopters and ex-military multi-engine piston aircraft.
  • The consultation is open for eight weeks and will close at 11.59pm on Monday 5 September 2022.
  • Any enquiries regarding this consultation should be submitted via email to ga@caa.co.uk
Safety Sense Leaflets:
  • Our most recent SSL on Loss of Control was published recently. Please feel free to share this with members.
  • Our most recent SSL on Ditching was published last week.
Commonwealth Games CAA STEM NATS: OCK VOR/DME

NATS have asked for feedback on the proposal to switch off the Ockham Very High Frequency Omni-Directional Radio Range (OCK VOR) and Distance Measuring Equipment (OCK DME) beacons. These are two separate, but co-located, air navigation aids.

If you have any comment on this proposal, especially in respect of safety of GA flights, please let AOPA know: info@aopa.co.uk  
AOPA UK Magazine August 2022 issue

Your copy of the August 2022 issue of the AOPA UK Magazine will be delivered to you shortly.

The magazine will be available to members in PDF format on the AOPA UK website as soon as the proofs are ready for print.

If you have any comment, ideas or articles for the magazine please get in touch with the editor by email: chris.mcgine@aopa.co.uk
AOPA Members Working Group

The next meeting will be held on Saturday 22 October 2022.

The Venue will be:
AOPA HQ
Lakeside Pavilion
Chaucer Business Park
Watery Lane
Kemsing
SEVENOAKS
TN15 6QY

Google Maps Link

Venue Information

On site parking is limited and must be pre-booked.

Zoom will also be available for remote attendance.

Please contact pauline@aopa.co.uk for further information, to request parking and registration to join either online or in person by October 7 2022.

Pauline Vahey
AOPA UK Members Working Group Chair
FI(A) & CRI(A) Refresher Courses

Final course date for 2022:
  • 22 to 23 November 2022
The course will be held at AOPA HQ:
Lakeside Pavilion
Chaucer Business Park
Watery Lane
Kemsing
SEVENOAKS
TN15 6QY

Google Maps Link

Venue and Accommodation Guide

For more information see here.
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