Hello, my name is Ben Lovegrove and in this video I'm going to talk about UK General Aviation
and Brexit.
Is Brexit going to be an example of controlled flight into terrain? Or a runway that leads
to new adventures? The one thing you can say for sure about Brexit is that everyone has
an opinion about it but no one really knows for sure what the impact will be on any industry,
let alone UK General Aviation.
There are plenty of people within the aviation industry expressing their views but you have
no way of telling whose predictions are accurate.
The situation is changing and evolving so there's no point in claiming anything to be
accurate and true without firm evidence.
The CAA and EASA are both issuing statements and updates to statements about changes to
procedures, certificates, and licensing, but with large areas of uncertainty.
and as we all know (without the media reminding us every 5 minutes) businesses require certainty
if they are to invest or expand.
So while things remain uncertain confidence lessens and everyone feels like they're scud-running
rather than cruising under clear blue skies.
But what have the aviation authorities actually said and does it concur with what the media
is saying?
With anything this complex it's always best to go direct to the source, get informed,
and then you can make up your own mind.
If you have a UK General Aviation business you might want to pour yourself a large coffee
and visit the EASA website.
www.easa.europa.eu/brexit.
Scroll down to the paragraph entitled "The UK’s withdrawal from the EU".
Then click on the "Notice to Stakeholders" link.
This opens a PDF document dated 13th April 2018 which lists the possible impact of Brexit
on five categories.
These include various EASA certificate types, Aircraft Operators from the UK, and Aircraft
registered in the UK.
The contents are self-explanatory so I won't repeat them here and the document may have
been updated by the time you watch this video.
If you do discover that this document has been changed or superseded then perhaps you
would be kind enough to let everyone know by posting a comment below this video.
Below the link to that PDF you'll find more information about the possible impact of Brexit
on the EU aviation system.
And further paragraphs about EASA cooperating with UK authorities and how to keep yourself
informed about the ongoing EU and UK withdrawal negotiations.
That's the EASA view but what about the UK's Civil Aviation Authority?
There's general information here: www.caa.co.uk/our-work/about-us/eu-exit/.
But to answer questions from those involved in UK General Aviation the best place to go
is the CAA's microsite which you'll find here: info.caa.co.uk/euexit/.
The CAA's Brexit microsite contains sections for all those involved in the aviation industry;
from Aerospace Design organisations to owners of UK registered aircraft.
Thankfully, each section is short and to the point so each stakeholder can quickly find
answers to most questions.
For example, the section for Approved Training Organisations begins, "Existing training organisation
approvals and/or declarations would remain valid under UK law. Registered Training Facilities
would still be required to either transfer to an Approved or Declared Training Organisation
by 8th April 2019."
Although it does then emphasise, "...prior to commencing a course of theoretical knowledge
or flight training for a pilot’s licence, rating or certificate we recommend that Heads
of Training contact EASA or the appropriate competent authority to establish what training
would be recognised."
The section for Private Pilots is well worth a read. It's divided into questions and answers
for both UK issued and non-UK issued private pilots licences.
Some questions are answered with a firm yes or no but for others there are still no definite
answers.
I haven't read every sentence but from those seen so far the overall impression is that
the UK General Aviation industry will enter the transition period without any major upheavals.
During the transition period some individuals and organisations will have to apply for a
different licence or certificate to maintain their current status.
Once you have informed yourself by visiting both the EASA and CAA websites, try googling
for phrases like 'UK General Aviation Brexit'.
As you read the articles you may notice some familiar points as they will have been lifted
from the aforementioned sources.
The rest is probably conjecture, either realistic or alarmist, depending on your point of view.
Are you involved in the UK General Aviation industry in any way?
Are you worried about Brexit or just waiting to see what will happen?
Leaving aside the wider impact of Brexit nationally, do you think there are any advantages to UK
GA specifically from leaving the EU?
Or is it all bad?
Post your comments below and let me know if you've found any gems of information on this
subject.
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