EAS Newsletter - March 2006 issue 23

The General Meeting in Cologne, 25 / 26 March 2006, has been attended by 45 delegates and observers, and guest speakers from EASA. The main part has been devoted to the key strategic issues which direct the future of our sector of aviation, now at the critical waypoint of our future. We have the opportunity to set out a heading to a satisfactory destination if we seize the right answers and put in the required efforts. There is a challenging opening in the proposed regulation and we have the right connections to allow us the chance. But we have to do it together!

Presentations.

Several presentations have been given. Members are encouraged to visit the Europe Air Sports website and read the information in the login section Organization/ General Meeting. General presentations are:
-Overview Rulemaking process (Roland Stuck);
-Developments in EASA work (Rudi Schuegraf);
-Medical Issues (Dr Peter Saundby);
In addition detailed presentations have been made and speakers have given verbal reports which are recorded in the minutes, available on the website in due time.

EASA guests.
Mr Probst, Rulemaking Director, and Mr Sivel have given and discussed their opinions in an open manner. Mr Tilo Schmitt, Chairman of the Management Board has delivered a fine speech on the insides of EASA.

Regulation of light aviation.
EASA Workgroup, coded MDM.032, is tasked to develop a concept for the regulation of non-complex aircraft used in non-commercial activities, starting with a clean sheet. All aspects of design, maintenance, licensing and operations will be addressed and this may lead to changes in the Basic Regulation as well as in current implementing rules. There is a tight time schedule, an interim report in July, followed by an advance-NPA, then Commission Opinion March 2007 Experts from Europe Air Sports have been selected in the workgroup and participated in a lively discussion. Non/under-representation of the hang- and paragliding and the powered flying community is of concern and will be put forward strongly with EASA. Progress reports of the workgroup meetings will be available on the Members’ section of the website.

Permits to Fly/Certificate of Airworthiness.
Another EASA workgroup, coded MDM.023, is tasked with issues related to permits to fly and restricted certificates of airworthiness, including aircraft without a valid Type Certificate or TC holder. An NPA should be developed by the end of April and AMC/GM material mid of this year. Here also experts from our constituency are member,

Medical matters.
Dr Saundby started his presentation stating that medical factors are responsible for 3-4 % of both non-commercial and road accidents. Regulation should only be based on the third party risk of flying. He elaborates on the concept of aeromedical risks and explains his proposals for implementing rules.

Airspace matters.
Mr Felten briefed the audience on the harmonization of airspace. For airspace below flight level 195 there is probably no Community interest since there are no commercial reasons. Access to categories of higher airspace is secured, be it with specific equipment. The common charging system exempts VFR aircraft, but the mechanism is left to the States. The application of 8.33 kHz equipment will come down, but sufficient 25 kHz should be retained.

Eurocontrol Sports Aviation Day.
A Sports and Recreational Day will be organized by Eurocontrol and Europe Air Sports on 1 Dec 2006. The objective will be to brief the sports aviators, but at the same time to educate Eurocontrol.

Financial issues.
Due to the largely increased efforts in meetings with the regulatory authorities this year it is anticipated that the reserves will be depleted to an unacceptable level. More financial support is needed from the Members. During the meeting several Members committed to an increased financial support. The Board will submit a proposal to the Members in the coming weeks.

Board enlargement.
The meeting has unanimously agreed to a proposal of the Board to allow enlargement of the Board to a maximum of 10. After election of the candidates the Board now consists of Sir John Allison (President), David Roberts (Treasurer) and as Vice-presidents Louis Berger, Frank Dörner, Marcel Felten, Roland Stuck, Sergio Calabresi and Henry Lindholm. In addition there are observers to the Board, elected from the Member groups: Dominique Méreuze, Per Wistisen and Pierre Portmann.