In the UK at the moment many flying schools that previously operated as ‘Registered Facilities’ are going through the process of becoming ‘Approved Training Organisations’ which is causing a certain amount of consternation for the smaller schools – they are having to write different compliance manuals, appoint ‘compliance managers’, safety managers etc. They are also in some cases apparently being asked to provided financial plans and other non-aviation related aspects of ‘compliance’ that do not actually fall within EASA/CAA’s purview. The cost of all this ‘compliance’ is rising to the point where a start up operation will be paying thousands of pounds in various regulatory costs either directly or associated with regulatory compliance.
Some bizarre requirements, including details of the dimensions of classrooms to be used and photos of student accommodation are required to be provided to the CAA as part of the application process.
What is the situation in European countries? How are other NAAs going about implementing the requirement for all flight training to take place at an ATO and what requirements are they placing on flying schools that are not currently ATOs to become one?
