AOPA Pilot Magazine - June 2011 - I1

IAOPA-Europe fights EASA charges
Recently a member contacted his national AOPA within Europe
regarding a €800 EASA fee for a ferry permit to be able to fly his
aircraft with minor airworthiness deficiencies between repair
stations. In the past most of Europe has never had to pay for
such permits but under EASA jurisdiction, fees are imposed.
IAOPA-Europe Senior Vice President Martin Robinson said,
“The problem is related to EASA’s huge operating overhead and
inefficiencies. IAOPA will insist on a more efficient structure at
IAOPA-Europe position on SESAR
deployment
The pending shift to the Single European
Sky Air Traffic Management Research
Programme—SESAR—is designed to
improve and facilitate IFR point-to-point
operations over Europe for decades to
come. IAOPA-Europe is concerned that
general aviation interests may not be fully
accommodated in the transition to the
new system. IAOPA-Europe has made the
following statements regarding the new
system. It must be:
• Performance-driven, accounting for all
aspects of the system, including access
equity and interoperability.
• Governed independent of industrial or
commercial interest.
• Fully consult with all system users
regarding basic provisions and changes.
Include provisions for funding operations
for which a positive business case cannot
be made (the business case for GA has
been determined to be negative).
IAOPA-Europe Senior Vice President
Martin Robinson says IAOPA has a good
working relationship with SESAR personnel
and will continue to work for a smooth
transition to the programme’s introduction,
working under the above principles.
Namibia becomes 69th
IAOPA affiliate
IAOPA President Craig Fuller recently
formally recognized AOPA-Namibia affiliation
in IAOPA in a letter stating, “It gives
me great pleasure to inform you that
www.iaopa.org
the next review. In relation to permit to fly they should develop
pre-set conditions so that they can give clearance without skyhigh
fees. A prominent European engine supplier based in the
U.K. said that under EASA its fees had doubled and could rise
again by another 30 percent if the rumored hike in fees goes
ahead; the industry body charged with commenting on the
proposal has not yet been formally consulted. We will continue
to work with EASA to reduce and eliminate fees.”
the Board of the International Council
of Aircraft Owner and Pilot Associations
(IAOPA) has approved full membership
AOPA-Namibia. We encourage you to
actively participate in IAOPA regional
and international activities in support
of general aviation. I look forward to
working with you in the years to come for
the improvement and advancement of
general aviation worldwide.”
AOPA-Namibia President Rein-
hardGärtner said, “AOPA-Namibia’s full
affiliation as the 69th
member of IAOPA
is indeed good news for the country’s
aviation industry and its stakeholders.
Coinciding with our celebrations this
week of Namibia’s 21st
year of inde-
pendence, this can hardly be a more
promising omen for the aviation fraternity
in Namibia and hopefully for
AOPA-International!” See the website
(sites.google.com/site/aopanamibia).
AOPA-Thailand news
After a period of relative inactivity AOPAThailand
has resumed operations. AOPAThailand
International Secretary Tom
Claytor sent the following report: “We
are pleased with the successful opening
of a new private airfield in Phuket
(a popular tourist area). Phuket Airpark
(www.phuketairpark.com) is 8 nautical
miles from Phuket International airport,
so it has been nice to see the cooperation
between the owners, the Department of
Civil Aviation (DCA), air traffic control,
and the international airport to operate
and promote general aviation safely.
“The Five-Year Permit regulation by
the DCA continues to be the greatest
obstacle to general aviation growth in
Thailand today. Two years ago, the DCA
placed greater restrictions on this rule
stating that only the owner of the aircraft
and one other pre-named pilot could
fly that aircraft. This had a devastating
effect on GA, because many pilots who
owned shares in aircraft could no longer
fly it. Many aircraft were sold out of the
Kingdom, and a lot of confidence was lost
in the system. Renewal of this five-year
permit must be signed by the Minister of
Transport, and because of political problems
and other reasons, it can take three
to six months to have a permit renewed
once it expires. There is no other country
in the world that has this five-year-permit
requirement, and it is greatly hampering
general aviation growth in Thailand.
AOPA-Thailand would welcome dialogue
from any other countries that have
encountered similar obstacles to growth.”
Support your AOPA
AOPAs around the world promote and
act as advocates for general aviation and
aerial work activities. This is only possible
through the support and input of
their members. If you are not a member,
contact your local AOPA for membership
information. IAOPA world affiliates are
listed on the back of this page.
JUNE 2011
http://sites.google.com/site/aopanamibia http://www.phuketairpark.com http://www.iaopa.org
AOPA Pilot Magazine - June 2011

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