I had this in my mailbox this morning from the BGA (British Gliding Association) – perhaps there is some hope? The TLDR version is that EASA seem to be delivering on their promise to scale back unnecessary regulation, and have postponed their suffocating and destructive FTO rules on gliding, and may well possibly back down from them altogether.
Regulatory Update
We are pleased to announce some potentially very good news that follows
sustained and prolonged effort by the BGA and our colleagues within air
sport to reduce the regulatory impact on our activities.
Following EASA’s announcement in April 2014 that they wanted to take a ‘New
Approach to General Aviation’ and deliver ‘Simpler, Lighter, Better Rules
for General Aviation’ there has been significant work going on at EASA and
the European Commission to deliver on this commitment. At a workshop held in
Cologne in May, on Wednesday 9th July 2014, the EASA Committee, including
the UK delegation, met to consider a proposal to amend Commission Regulation
(EU) No 1178/2011(Aircrew) and Commission Regulation No 965/2012 (Air
Operations). The proposal, which will be further amended and presented for a
vote in October 2014, has a number of aspects to it affecting gliding.
Please note that these proposed changes will be not be binding unless there
is a positive vote in October and will be subject to any implementation
dates applied.
Key elements of the proposal that will be voted on in October 2014 are:
. A deferment to allow pilot training without ATO approval from 8th
April 2015 to 8th April 2018 to permit time to do detailed work on
alternative options for private pilot training outside of ATOs. The
discussions on the alternative options have not yet started so we do not
know what private training outside of ATOs may look like and what
restrictions and conditions, if any, may be applied. Balloon and gliding
organisations would be permitted to operate under current national
arrangements as they are now until April 2018.
. Deferring the requirement to hold a LAPL or SPL and associated
ratings until 8th April 2018. (Currently, those who fly EASA gliders need to
have converted to a Part-FCL licence and associated medical certificate
We must stress that these proposals will only happen when and if they
receive a positive vote in October. There is no reason at the moment to
believe that a positive vote will not be forthcoming. As you would expect,
the BGA will continue to stay closely engaged with the issues, working with
our air sport partner organisations. We will keep you advised of any
significant developments. Once the outcome of the October vote has been
formally announced, we will advise clubs and pilots in detail, including
updated advice about pilot licence conversion.
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Last Edited by Peter at 17 Jul 14:23
Last Edited by alioth at 17 Jul 13:43