AOPA UK Newsletter May 2021

View this email in your browser

PLEASE USE LINKS IN ARTICLES OR CONTACT US. DO NOT USE REPLY.

The DfT have recently published their General Aviation Roadmap (Spring 2021) and the CAA have published CAP 2146 outlining their response to the the consultation on UK General Aviation opportunities after leaving EASA.

Both documents should be of interest to anyone involved in General Aviation (GA) in the UK in the coming years.

Through our membership of The General and Business Aviation Strategic Forum (GBASF) I have been able to influence the contents and direction set by the DfT. As a result, AOPA can support the Vision Statement, but will need to keep the DfT on track, ensure that no single GA sector gains at the expense of others and meets the reasonable expectations of our members.

For the Regulation and Safety vision I argued successfully that Regulation must be proportionate and risk-based. This is important because a risk-based approach requires good quality safety data to understand the risks and the degree of regulation required commensurate with that risk. The CAA need to state what their approach to and assessment of risk is.

While Skills and STEM development are important for the future of aviation in the UK, it is equally important that there are businesses that can make use of these skills. I don’t think that the vision is necessarily about existing businesses but is aimed at innovation and emerging businesses based on new technologies.

See the June issue of the AOPA UK Magazine for a more detailed review of the Roadmap.

In CAP 2146, the CAA have outlined their GA Change Programme for 2021/22 which comprises 46 initiatives, including three longer term strategic projects:

Simplification and rationalisation of GA Flight Crew Licensing
Simplification and rationalisation of GA Airworthiness Maintenance Regulations
Exploration of GA Medical requirements

Without comprehensive bilateral agreements in place, any changes that take UK licence holders, UK medical standards or UK registered certified aircraft maintenance standards away from ICAO standards are likely to end up with UK Airspace only restrictions and confusion as to the rights to fly abroad, including the Common Travel Area. This is fine if all someone wants to do is conduct all their flying UK airspace under UK national rules, but any changes also need to cater for others who don't want such restrictions.

AOPA are in general supportive of the direction the CAA and DfT are going in, but will keep progress on both strategic projects and tactical initiatives under close review and strive to ensure that changes benefit the whole of GA.

The CAA propose forming a "diverse and inclusive GA Change Panel". I am following this up with the CAA to understand what is proposed and how they will manage it, if they are intending to somehow include representation from those that do not belong to an association or club or prefer individual representation. I am sure that other associations will be similarly alert to this.

AOPA is already fully engaged in the top three issues:

Simplification and rationalisation of GA flight crew licensing and flying training : Through the long established Training and Education Committee we have a direct interface between the Training Industry, FI/FE's and the CAA.

Protection and development of GA airfields: Much of our work in this area is done through the General Aviation Awareness Council (GAAC). AOPA is also able to support local campaigns to save airfields under threat, where this is member driven.

Simplification and rationalisation of airworthiness and maintenance regulations: Through the established AOPA Maintenance Working Group we have a direct interface with Owners, Maintainers, LAA and the CAA.

It is noted that CAP 2146 states "Flying instructors and examiners was one category of respondent which had a relatively large proportion (43%) who felt their views are ‘not at all’ made available or properly represented to the CAA." AOPA is the only Association that provides FI's and FE's with a voice - through individual membership, through a Corporate Member if they are employed by one.

I recognise that AOPA is not understood by some and we need to look at ways to get the message out to those who do not belong but are looking for representation. Our members can, and do, play a key part here, for which I am grateful.

DfT General Aviation Roadmap Spring 2021

CAA CAP 2146 UK General Aviation opportunities after leaving EASA: Consultation Response Document

Martin Robinson
CEO AOPA UK
E: martin@aopa.co.uk

AOPA Magazine - June Edition

The June issue of AOPA UK magazine is about to head off to the printers.

In this issue we take a look at the Department for Transport’s newly released GA Roadmap and ask what it really means for the average GA pilot.

Plus, we look at the AOPA Wings scheme, aviation insurance, the recently launched General Aviation Safety Benchmarking Group and the classic Luscombe Silvaire is the subject of this issue’s ‘Just My Type’.

News, Views and Reviews can also be found in the June 2021 edition of AOPA UK magazine. The magazine will be made available to members on the AOPA UK website in PDF format ahead of posting out to members.

I have the the opportunity to interview the Head of the CAA’s new Unmanned Aircraft Systems Unit & General Aviation Unit for the next issue of AOPA UK . What questions would YOU like answering? Please e-mail them to me as soon as possible and I will endeavour to get as many answers for you as possible.

Stephen Bridgewater
Editor: AOPA UK Magazine
E: steve.bridgewater@aopa.co.uk

Save Coventry Airport Campaign

The consultation period to make your voice heard in the campaign to save Coventry Airport closes on June 6. The site is the proposed location of a new ‘gigafactory’ producing batteries for electric vehicles but the team behind the project says it is unable to hold a public exhibition or event “because of Covid restrictions.”

So if you have ever flown into Coventry and/or would like to do so in the future – please visit gigafactoryconsultation.co.uk to lodge your comments about the proposed development by June 6.

Current COVID Guidance

The latest GOV.UK guidance on COVID restrictions:

Coronavirus (COVID-19): General Aviation
Travel abroad and coronavirus
Red, amber and green list rules for entering England

CAA Customer Portal - Medical Services

The CAA medical records system (Cellma) was launched on 29th March 2021 and is available via the CAA Customer Portal. This online system replaces all existing paper-based application forms and allow Medical Certificate Holders to view their own medical records and track the progress of applications and referrals to the Authority.

Anyone holding a medical certificate for a Class 1, Class 2, Class 3, LAPL or wishing to make a medical self-declaration will need an online CAA Customer Portal Account to access the new medical service. If you do not already have a user account or access to Medical services it can take up to 10 Days to set up your account and access. You are advised to set up your account now if you have not already done so and not wait until you need to renew your medical or receive a reminder from the CAA.

The CAA will send out individual emails and SMS reminder messages two to three months before the medical certificate expiry date. The email will include instructions on how to create a CAA portal account (if you do not already have one) and apply for the medical service.

Before your medical appointment you will need to complete the relevant application online and pay the CAA Charge, currently £8 for a Class 2 or £14 for a Class 1 or Class 3 medical.

You will still need to book an appointment with your AME or GP, who will issue you with a paper medical certificate if you are passed fit.

Pilot Medical Self-Declaration - Online Application

The CAA have issued the following advice for Pilot Medical Self-Declaration online applicants:

We have received feedback relating to the printable self-declaration confirmation page in the Cellma medical system.

The printable self-declaration confirmation page does not include the pilot’s name and/or unique reference number and is therefore not visibly associated with the pilot.

While there is no legal obligation to carry the medical self-declaration page, we understand that some pilot’s wish to keep this with their licence for the purposes of evidencing their credentials. In addition, we do appreciate some pilot training organisations providing self-hire perform a basic check of the pilot’s credentials as part of due diligence.

We therefore propose that the pilot print and countersign the medical self-declaration page with the following:

‘I confirm this pilot medical declaration print out is applicable to me and is correct’

Print Name

CAA Reference Number

Sign

Date

This will link the self-declaration approval to the pilot and enable a check of the signature against that of the pilot’s licence for assurance purposes if required.

In addition to this written communication, we will also be providing confirmation of this process on the CAA website.

Pre-flight Planning and Resources

The Airspace Infringement Working Group has produced this guidance to cover the key aspects of successful pre-flight preparation and planning, which includes some useful links to planning and information resources :

Often overlooked are the CAA Safety Publications

AOPA Members Working Group

Preliminary dates for the remainder of 2021 (Subject to change):

Meetings are likely to be held via Zoom although we will hold one or more in person if restrictions permit, with remote attendance by Zoom.

All AOPA members are most welcome to attend - you do not have to be specifically invited but must register in advance.

Zoom meetings gather from 9:30, formally start at 10am and finish at 13:00

Saturday 26 June - Earls Colne Airfield, subejct to confirmation, plus remote Zoom attendees
Saturday 23 October

To register for a Zoom meeting please email David Chambers: david.chambers@aopa.co.uk

David Chambers
AOPA UK Members Working Group Chair

FI & CRI Refresher Courses

The next AOPA FI Refresher Course dates are:

6 & 7 July 2021 - to be held using Zoom
23 & 24 November 2021

For more information see here.

The venues for the July and November courses are to be advised. If the eventual venue is not acceptable a full refund will be given. If COVID-19 restrictions still apply then, subject to CAA approval, the courses may be run using Zoom meetings.