CAA Singapore and UK Civil Aviation Authority strengthen aviation cooperation

The Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) and the United Kingdom Civil Aviation Authority (UKCAA) have signed two collaborative agreements, further strengthening their bilateral partnership.

The first agreement is a technical Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for cooperation across a wide range of areas in international civil aviation. In particular, both agencies commit to working together to improve aviation safety and training, and addressing emerging complex issues, such as cybersecurity in air transport systems and safeguarding of public health in air travel, including COVID-19. Under the MOU, a Bilateral Aviation Steering Committee will be established to drive the collaboration.

The UK's Civil Aviation Authority's General Aviation Unit finishes 2020 with a focus on life after EU Exit

The UK's Civil Aviation Authority's GA Unit has continued to work to follow its remit of regulating only when necessary and deliver on our top-level principles for better GA regulation. Achievements over the past 3 months include:

• In preparation for the end of the EU transition period, we launched UK General Aviation opportunities after leaving EASA - a consultation: This consultation is an opportunity for the UK GA community to help develop the direction of future regulation and shape how we work more effectively together with our GA stakeholders. This will also help guide our work, helping determine our priority projects for the 2021 GA Change Programme. The consultation will close on 18 December 2020.

• To support airfields in the UK, we launched the new Airfield Development Advisory Fund. Managed by us and administered by ICF, a global consulting and digital services provider, UK airfields and associated business were able to apply for access to Government-funded professional and business advice on a range of topics. By the end of December, successful applicants will have been notified and engagement work underway.

UK Civil Aviation Authority reports on accessibility progress at UK airports

Last week the UK Civil Aviation Authority has highlighted the progress that airports have made since the introduction of the regulator's airport accessibility framework five years ago.

We strongly believe that everyone should have access to air travel, and we welcome the substantial improvements that airports have made for those passengers that are living with a disability or reduced mobility. The industry has worked alongside consumer and disability groups to improve every part of the consumer journey, considering the individual needs of each passenger.

Since 2015, there has been a significant rise in the number of passengers requesting assistance at UK airports, with four million requests in the latest year. This is almost double the amount than was recorded in 2015. In total, UK airports have received more than 10 million assistance requests in the past five years.

Our ambition is to encourage even more passengers with reduced mobility and hidden disabilities to feel confident to fly as the industry looks to recover from the coronavirus pandemic and consumers begin to once again think about booking future flights.

CAA EU Exit webinar: General Aviation

The UK's Civil Aviation Authority will be holding a special General Aviation webinar on 26 November 2020, between 13:00 -14:00 regarding the UK's exit from the EU. 

The webinar for the General Aviation sector will cover:

• An outline of the new regulatory landscape from 1 January 2021 and what this means for General Aviation;
• The key changes affecting annex 1 aircraft and Part 21 licensing forms, and what actions organisations should be thinking about in preparation for the end of the transition period; and
• Answers to your key questions on airworthiness, licensing and pilot training – the sectors of General Aviation that would require the most change.

You can register here to confirm your place and the Zoom link to the webinar will be emailed to those with a confirmed place. Given the imminence of the end of the transition period, we anticipate a significant number of participants at each session, which will also be recorded.

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UK Civil Aviation Authority launches UK General Aviation opportunities after leaving EASA consultation

In preparation for the end of the EU transition period, the CAA has launched UK General Aviation opportunities after leaving EASA
a consultation:

The UK Civil Aviation Authority's General Aviation Unit (GAU) is dedicated to effective regulation that supports and encourages the UK's dynamic GA sector. In preparation for the end of the EU transition period, the CAA has launched UK General Aviation opportunities after leaving EASA - a consultation: This consultation is an opportunity for you to help achieve our ambition of making the UK the best place for general aviation and we would therefore like to understand:

how we can help the GA community (and its associated businesses and industries) to flourish after leaving EASA, and to identify its specific priorities;

how we can engage with and work more efficiently, constructively and collaboratively with the GA communities in delivering our objectives;

the priorities of those who are not part of the GA community when considering the future of General Aviation in the UK.*

Your views will help to develop the direction of future regulation and shape how we work more effectively together with the UK GA community. They will also help guide the CAA's work, helping determine our priority projects for the 2021 GA Change Programme. 

The CAA is inviting all members of the UK GA sector to contribute to this consultation and share their views. The consultation will close on 18 December 2020. 

Link to consultation: www.caa.co.uk/gaconsultation

*In this consultation we are not seeking views on: 

technical or operational concepts about how aircraft may fly

aspects of airspace design (this is being reviewed separately)

areas outside of our responsibility e.g. VAT on fuel, VAT on training.

 

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CAA opens consultation over Gatwick Airports proposed new economic regulations.

Photo JMilstein

The UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has today published a consultation on its proposed approach to updating the economic regulation of Gatwick Airport Limited (GAL). Since 2014 the economic regulation of GAL has been based on a set of commitments, given by GAL. These commitments expire on 31 March 2021.

Following engagement with airlines and other stakeholders, GAL proposed a finalised set of new commitments earlier this year that will commence from 1 April 2021.

The proposed new commitments include:

 a price commitment with a cap of Retail Prices Index (RPI) + 0% for published charges;

a number of detailed changes to service quality targets; and

a minimum investment commitment of £120 million per year on average.

Having scrutinised these proposals and considered them in light of the Covid-19 pandemic, the Civil Aviation Authority considers them to be broadly in the interest of consumers. The CAA proposes to accept these commitments and will encourage GAL and airlines to continue working together on unresolved issues (including performance targets that can only be set once new measurement systems have been installed). 

The CAA is also adding two specific items to our ongoing monitoring of GAL's performance, which relate to the availability of seating and the average level of airline discounts, to help protect the interests of consumers.

"We are inviting stakeholders to share their views with us on this proposed approach. The consultation will close on 30 November." 

Link to consultation: www.caa.co.uk/CAP1973

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Glenn Bradley named as new Head of Flight Operations at The UK Civil Aviation Authority

The UK Civil Aviation Authority has appointed Glenn Bradley as its new Head of Flight Operations. Glenn brings a wealth of experience to the position from his various roles as a pilot and across aviation management in the past.

As Head of Flight Operations, Glenn will be responsible for the oversight of both commercial and non-commercial aircraft operations, approved training organisations, and special operations across the UK. His role will include maintaining the UK's excellent aviation safety record and making improvements for all airspace users.

Glenn brings 30 years of aviation experience to the role, having initially joined the Royal Air Force flying the iconic Tornado aircraft in 1987 and flying in operational theatres of Northern and Southern Iraq. He then turned his skills as a pilot to commercial aviation, flying both the Boeing 737 and Airbus A320 families for GB Airways. He has more than 9000 hours of commercial flying time.

The UK's CAA launches new online Private Pilot Licence (PPL) e-Exams online system

The new Private Pilot Licence (PPL) e-Exams online system, which replaces Part-FCL PPL aeroplane and helicopter paper-based theoretical knowledge exams, went live this week.

This launch follows the successful completion of a three-month pathfinder phase where the system was tested with a number of volunteer pilot training organisations to ensure it was right for the General Aviation (GA) community. The PPL e-Exams delivered by the pathfinder phase were sat by real exam candidates and their exam passes will count towards their pilot licence issue.

Delivering service excellence and technological innovation to all stakeholders are key elements of the CAA's Strategic Plan. This latest implementation forms part of that strategy.

Jim Marren, GA Pilot Training, Licensing & Policy Manager said, “Over recent months we have contacted all applicable pilot training organisations to inform them of the changes and detailing the actions required to be undertaken to use the new online PPL e-Exams system. We have engaged directly with 248 organisations and have now provided system access to them. We are asking any pilot training organisations who have not yet registered to do so.”  

Training organisations can get more information on how to register for examinations on the CAA website. If organisations have not yet received login credentials, or if they have any other questions around the implementation, they can contact PPLExams@caa.co.uk

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Students undertaking training and examinations for an EASA Part-FCL Licence in the UK

Following the UK’s exit from the EU on 31 January, a transition period will apply until 31 December 2020. During this period, the UK and the aviation sector will continue to follow EU law and to participate in the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) system. As a result, businesses and individuals operating in the UK should see no change to existing conditions during the transition period, while the longer-term UK-EU relationship on aviation is determined. That time is rapidly running out and no deal has yet been advised, therefore the UK's CAA has issued the following information. 

On the basis that the UK’s membership of the EASA system ceases at the end of the transition period and if there is no mutual recognition of safety certificates between the UK and European systems​, existing training organisation approvals and/or declarations would remain valid under UK law.

Where a Competent Authority other than the CAA would be the State of Licence issue, the European Commission has previously published draft regulation that would allow for existing examinations taken in training organisations subject to UK oversight to be recognised by other Member States up to the point UK participation in EASA ceased. No process has been defined for this to happen and the Commission’s proposal will require approval from EU Council and Parliament to take effect. You are advised to contact the EU Commission and Member States directly for further information.

The CAA’s General Aviation Unit continues to make considerable progress in its aim to radically improve the regulation of General Aviation (GA) in the UK

The CAA's Aviation unit reports-

• We have confirmed our intent to expand the category of microlight by creating a new definition and widening the category of microlights up to 600kg maximum take-off mass (MTOM). Previously known as the “Opt-Out” in terms of exclusion from the EU Basic Regulation, this will bring aircraft and helicopters up to 600kg under direct regulation in the “Microlight” category. This should improve the availability to the UK market of more modern, light, two-seat aircraft under a lighter regulatory regime and thus help to modernise the UK fleet. This decision has received very positive coverage in the GA press and its social media forums.
  
  
• We have launched the new PPL online exam system. This system uses a new set of theoretical knowledge exam questions developed by GA stakeholders and will be available for all registered training organisations to use to undertake their exams online from 5th October 2020.  Paper-based PPL theoretical knowledge exams use will be subject to an exceptions process and will be phased-out early in 2021.

• We are planning to host a number of virtual GA Roadshows to engage a wider and more diverse GA audience with the aim of both communicating and receiving feedback interactively which can help shape our future programme of activity.

General Aviation and unmanned aircraft communities set to benefit from fund to subsidise electronic conspicuity devices

Rebates of up to £250 for new Electronic Conspicuity (EC) devices are now available thanks to funding from the Department for Transport (DfT) aimed at encouraging more adoption of EC within the UK's General Aviation (GA) and Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) communities.

The CAA will distribute the funds via a rebate scheme which is open to applications for devices purchased before 28 February 2021 (or until the funding is used). Those meeting the requirements can claim a 50% rebate of the purchase cost of an EC device to a maximum of £250 (including VAT) per applicant.

Rob Bishton, CAA Group Director of Safety and Airspace Regulation, said: “'See and avoid' remains the fundamental means of collision avoidance in Class G airspace.  Electronic conspicuity devices, used with an understanding of their benefits and limitations, can play an important role in improving situational awareness and reducing the risk of mid-air collisions in Class G airspace and airspace infringements.  Looking to the future, interoperable EC systems will also have a role to play in the on-going modernisation of the UK's airspace structure; and enabling the safe and efficient integration of UAS operations with other airspace users.”

Full details on those eligible to apply, EC devices and how to claim a rebate are available on the CAA website at www.caa.co.uk/ec

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The UK's Civil Aviation Authority approves Pakistan International Airlines request to restart some services using aircraft chartered from Hi Fly Limited.

The UK's Civil Aviation Authority has issued an update  Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) operations into the UK on Tuesday 18 August. 

On 30 June 2020, the CAA suspended permission for Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) to operate services to the United Kingdom, following the decision of the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) to withdraw the airline's Third Country Operator safety certificate.

However, the Civil Aviation Authority has now approved a request from the company to be allowed to recommence services between Islamabad to Birmingham and Manchester using aircraft chartered from the EU carrier Hi Fly Limited. PIA's Foreign Carrier Permit has been amended accordingly. This approval came into effect from 14 August 2020.

EASA's prohibition on PIA operating flights into the European Common Aviation Area with its own aircraft is unaffected by this amendment.  

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Boeing and UK Civil Aviation Authority to partner on Innovation Hub

   
                                        The planemaker Boeing, desperate for a bit of good news after recently announcing no new orders for April and a mass raft of cancellations for the grounded 737 MAX aircraft.  The US firm has confirmed that it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) to take part in the CAA’s Innovation Sandbox project. 

The Innovation Sandbox enables participants to work with the CAA to test and trial innovative aviation solutions in a safe and controlled environment, with a focus on solutions outside the existing scope of regulations. It is part of CAA’s newly-formed Innovation Hub and acts in an advisory capacity, separate from the regulatory approval function of the CAA.

UK's coronavirus COVID-19 recreational general aviation guidance

Current government guidance on coronavirus precludes recreational GA flying.

Stay at homeonly go outside for food or health reasons or travelling to and from work, but only where you cannot work from homewhen outside, stay 2 metres (6 feet) away from other people, wash your hands as soon as you get home

Photo RAF/Crown Copyright

The UK's Civil Aviation Authority and Department of Transport have issued the latest guidance for recreation general aviation. 

This is being observed in practice by the vast majority of the GA community, and we are grateful to them for doing so. The message we are receiving from the GA community is that they fully appreciate the need for these restrictions, and observing them is being widely encouraged throughout the community. Again, we are grateful for this.

Because the directive to stay at home is being well observed, we do not perceive a need to introduce a specific ban on flying by visual flight rules (VFR) as seen in some European countries.

This will have the significant benefit of allowing flexibility, and allowing GA flights to resume as overarching restrictions on movement are lifted.

The above does not apply to search and rescue operations, or where it absolutely necessary to fly to, or for, work. In all of these activities, we expect public organisations and businesses to be socially responsible in the decisions they make, and to apply social distancing guidelines.

25 days to register for UK drone pilots

UK owners of drones and model aircraft weighing more than 250g /8.8oz have until just the end of November to register their details with the UK's Civil Aviation Authority or face a hefty fine of up to £1,000.

Users can now also register as a drone operator and/or flyer here: register-drones.caa.co.uk 

This mandatory requirement to register covers owners of drones or model aircraft over 250g and in addition to registering, owners will also have to undergo an online education course and following test. The course and test takes around 20 - 25 minutes to complete.

According to recent research, a quarter of owners have lost a drone at some point, with many going missing because of malfunctions in flight, losing battery power, loss of signal or other such technical failures.

The CAA research also found that millennials are most likely to lose their drone: 36% of 18-34-year olds have lost a drone compared to 20% of those aged 35 and above. Millennials are more likely to insure their drone: 54% of 18-34-year-olds have some kind of insurance for their drones compared to only 26% of those aged 35+. 

Major shock as SuperBreak and Late Rooms fall into administration

Consumers and the UK travel industry have been left reeling after the seemingly successful SuperBreak and Late Rooms holiday firms have gone into administration.

The Malvern Group, which owns Late Rooms, which is based in Manchester and SuperBreak mini holidays, which is based in York has ceased trading, causing holiday misery for more than 50,000 customers. 

The troubled Indian travel specialists Cox & Kings part-owned The Malvern Group, faced increasing trouble after it defaulted on debt payments last month, which saw its credit ratings slump in recent weeks. The collapse of SuperBreak and Late Rooms has also caused greater speculation within the industry of the continued viability and stability of Cox & Kings. 

The UK's Civil Aviation Authority's ATOL scheme, of which SuperBreak was a member, could help many customers that booked packages with the firm.  On Thursday afternoon offered the following information:

Pilot who flew footballer Emiliano Sala to his death was 'not qualified to fly at night'

The Piper Malibu on the day of the crash               Photo AAIB

The UK's BBC News is reporting that David Ibbotson, the pilot of the Piper Malibu that crashed on January 21st this year, killing new Cardiff City footballer Emiliano Sala was not qualified to fly at night.

It is being reported that Ibbotson was colour-blind and his pilots licence restricted him from flying after dark, yet the flight took off at least an hour after sunset.  According to the BBC, his UK pilots licence did not have a night rating mirroring his US one which states, "must have available glasses for near vision" and that "all limitations and restrictions on the United Kingdom pilot licence apply".

It would have been unlawful for Ibbotson to take off at 1900, over an hour after sunset if the report is true. However, the Air Accidents Investigation Branch advised that licensing was still a key part of the investigation and the UK Civil Aviation Authority refused to comment on the story.

The crash on the 21st January killed both men and whilst the body of Emiliano Sala has been recovered from the wreckage, Mr Ibbotson's body is still missing. 

A full accident report is not expected from the AAIB until February of 2020.

The UK puts a halt to Boeing 737 Max operations

Boeing 737 Max 8 of Icelandair                Photo Icelandair

On Tuesday, March 12th, the UK's Civil Aviation Authority banned the Boeing 737 Max 8 aircraft from operating in or out of the UK. Plus as a major blow to the US manufacturer, the UK has also banned the 737 Max 8 and Max 9 from its airspace, which means no airline is allowed to fly the types over the UK.

A spokesperson said, "Our thoughts go out to everyone affected by the tragic incident in Ethiopia on Sunday.

"The UK Civil Aviation Authority has been closely monitoring the situation, however, as we do not currently have sufficient information from the flight data recorder we have, as a precautionary measure, issued instructions to stop any commercial passenger flights from any operator arriving, departing or overflying UK airspace.

"The UK Civil Aviation Authority's safety directive will be in place until further notice.  We remain in close contact with the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and industry regulators globally."

The UK is not the only country to ban the 737 Max aircraft from its airspace, similar bans have been instigated by authorities in Singapore, China, France, Ireland, Germany, Australia, Indonesia and Malaysia.

The ban came into effect from 1300 today and caused a Turkish Airlines flight bound for London on a 737 Max aircraft to turn around and head back for Istanbul.  The holiday giant TUI, which had previously refused to ground its 737 Max fleet saying it would only listen to Boeing, has reluctantly had to ground its fleet.  It assured passengers with flights book on the type, their holidays would continue as normal with the flights being operating by other aircraft.

and follows the refusals by Norwegian and TUI to ground the jets as a precaution.  

Light aircraft pilot fined for flying over Luton Airport without permission

The pilot of a light aircraft has pleaded guilty to flying over Luton Airport without clearance from air traffic control, four times in the same day. The pilot's actions led to four passenger aircraft and a business jet having to be given avoiding instructions by air traffic control. Departures from the airport were also temporarily suspended.

Christopher Morrow, 65, from Barford, Warwickshire, admitted four offences of flying in Class D controlled airspace without permission on 3 September 2018, when his case was heard by Bedfordshire Magistrates' Court in Luton earlier today. He was fined £7576 and ordered to pay £750 costs to the Civil Aviation Authority which brought the prosecution.

New Airspace Modernisation Strategy launched to overhaul UK airspace

Photo CAA

The UK's Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has today launched its new Airspace Modernisation Strategy (AMS) that initiates the major overhaul of a key piece of national infrastructure. The new strategy is in response to the Government tasking the CAA with preparing and maintaining a coordinated strategy and plan for the use of UK airspace up to 2040, including modernisation.

The structure of the UK's airspace has remained the same for decades, despite an increase in demand from its users. According to research conducted by the air traffic control provider, NATS, flights in UK airspace are forecast to grow from 2.25 million per year in 2015 to 3.25 million in 2030 (an increase of 44 per cent). If nothing changes, more and more flights will be delayed at UK airports each year with NATS predicting an average of 26.5 minutes of delay per delayed flight, with more than one in three flights from all UK airports expected to depart over half an hour late due to a shortfall in airspace capacity. Similarly, other airspace users such as general aviation and drone operators want more access to this infrastructure, while local communities want the adverse impacts better mitigated.  Modernisation is critical to ensure that this invisible piece of the UK's national infrastructure is fit for purpose for the future.