Report Was Issued May 29

The UK Parliamentary Under Secretary of Transport Robert Goodwill MP (pictured) has issued a formal response to that government's report on challenges facing GA in the UK.

On the basis of the report, released May 29, the Department for Transport said it will join forces with the General Aviation (GA) community, the Civil Aviation Authority and colleagues across government to produce a comprehensive GA strategy. We have also made commitments to support the delivery of the European Aviation Safety Agency’s (EASA) General Aviation road map, including consideration of amendments to the EASA basic regulation. It will also work with EASA and the FAA to gain support for the principle of mutual recognition of manufacturing standards, consider how to simplify legislation for GA users crossing borders, and launch a comprehensive review of the all sections of the Air Navigation Order affecting General Aviation.

In the response, Goodwill said the government "welcomes the rigour with which the Challenge Panel have worked to produce their report and recommendations. The government has considered the recommendations, has responded to these and made a number of announcements about the work being taken forward within its response."

Those announcement include the establishment of a new cross-department Star Chamber chaired by the Minister without Portfolio and including senior representation from all government departments with influence on GA matters. Economic research will be commissioned to inform views of where government policy could go further to support a vibrant GA sector, including a commitment to look again at planning issues relating to airfields in light of the planned economic research, and there will be a commitment to challenge and support the delivery of the European Aviation Safety Agency’s (EASA) General Aviation Road Map, including consideration of amendments to the EASA Basic Regulation where appropriate.

A joint review of the Air Navigation Order with the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) will be undertaken to assess where this has disproportionate impacts on the GA sector.

"Much of this work will contribute to a government strategy for GA which we plan to publish in the spring of 2015," Goodwill said in the statement. "General Aviation can and should contribute to the UK’s economic success, [while] providing a safe environment for participants and the public. The government’s aim is therefore to make the UK the best country in the world for General Aviation."

FMI: Full Response