Sadly, the end of email:
I guess nobody cares anymore, so what procedure are people here using? OnlineGAR is reportedly packing up soon.
Peter wrote:
what procedure are people here using?
I’m using the automatic email from AutoRouter. Often didn’t work as in “the local BF had no clue the GAR had been sent”, but since I showed them the email, I had fulfilled the legal requirement and I didn’t care beyond that. I hope AutoRouter switches to some still supported solution, else it will add friction to flying to the UK, and I’ll do it less. I’ll continue doing it, but less.
I have used OnlineGAR in the past, when AOPA membership gave one a free account that could be used for turboprop, but that is not the case any more.
I’ve used the government’s sGAR in the past. It’s ok. A bit like the UK tax service, it involves asking a question with a yes/no answer which then brings you to the next web page. So it’s a bit long winded. But you can store details and it works reasonably well (particularly if your details are already stored so you don’t have to reenter them).
I use the UK government’s sGAR service too. I think it works very well – I would say takes less than a minute to submit a GAR when using saved information.
I’ve been always using sGAR.
First time I’ve seen this on sGAR (only passenger is me, British passport holder) – took a few seconds to go from yellow (“checking authority to travel”) to blue (“authority to carry granted”). Arrival from the EU.
Please email them and tell them the “authority to travel” is probably an illegal statement (for people not needing a visa).
We have been around this one before, when the police started phoning people at 3am with a “PFT” (“permission to fly”) number. I always told the officer this is illegal and there is no such thing. The law calls for prior notice only. There is however this possible exception which was laboriously unearthed a while ago.
If this is illegal we should all email them.
I don’t know the precise legalities. New legislation (currently in draft to come into force on 4 April) will require passport information to be provided and there will be a civil, monetary penalty for failing to do so. It does not say that you need prior permission to enter the UK.
The guidance says there are three possible responses:
I don’t see why I got a “authority to carry granted” – shouldn’t it have been “valid permission to travel” – because I have right of abode in the UK? I didn’t need to ask for authority nor does that authority give me anything in addition to what I already had.
I will email as you suggest …
