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Extracts from the President Sir John Allison Opening address
The progressive assumption by EASA of legislative drafting powers for all aviation matters across Europe is producing an unprecedented number of far-reaching proposals that will profoundly affect, for better or worse, the way in which sporting and recreational aviation is governed in future.
The structures, processes and resources of Europe Air Sports served us reasonably well during the slower-paced and less critical JAA era. They were adequate to meet the challenges of that time, but are in most respects inadequate for the much tougher multiple challenges we face today. We have adapted our way of working in response to the challenges. The whole organisation has been strengthened by the accession to membership of a number of pan-European air sports organisations. We have enlarged and strengthened the Board to reflect the wider membership, to increase the talent within the leadership and to improve internal communication. The old EAS working groups specialising in a particular subject have been overtaken by the drafting in of experts to represent our interests within the large number of EASA working Groups now in session.
Challenges in the European airspace scene have also been developing rapidly, and the demands have been similar to EASA in that we need to be represented in many forums where decisions are being taken that will impact on our members’ future ability to fly freely.
As you will hear from my colleagues in a few minutes, we have raised our game and have achieved some successes. But, as you will also hear, we judge that we are close to the limits of what we can achieve with our present way of working and with our present resources. By resources, I do not just mean finance, although the financial constraints of EAS are part of the problem. I also mean the sheer number of people available to us who have the time, the will and the expertise to help. I also refer to the fact that, in particular, we are doing quite well in influencing the rule makers themselves within EASA, but are we are less successful when it comes to affecting what subsequently takes place in the Commission, the Council of Ministers working groups and the Parliament, when primary legislation is going through the process of political agreement by Member States and Members of the Parliament. This is an area where more work is needed, not only in Brussels but also especially within each nation.
It is primarily to discuss these matters, and to seek your participation in finding solutions, as well as your ongoing support for implementing better and more powerful ways of working that the Board invited you here today.
There is a secondary reason. That is that one of our weaknesses (as we are only too well aware) is in communicating effectively with our member organisations and the individual people within them. We hope that this meeting will strengthen communication in the best possible way through the building of personal relationships and, consequently, better understanding and mutual confidence.
I and my Board colleagues greatly look forward to the rest of the day.
EASA recognises specific needs for Airsports
