To all UK resident readers of this forum
I don't normally get too worked up about the threat to General Aviation. I
pay a donation each year to the GAAC and am a member of AOPA. However I
have just read in the latest GAAC Newsletter that Central Government is
considering changing or even cancelling the "28 Day Rule". For those of you
not familiar with this, many farm strips and small airfields can only exist
because of this rule which allows 28 days of activity per year. It doesn't
just apply to aviation but also markets, motor racing and clay pigeon
shooting. The Europa is a grass strip capable aircraft and even if your
Europa is not planned to be based on one of these strips it will affect you
for at least two very good reasons. Firstly it will severely limit your
choice of destination airfields and secondly, if those of us who intend
using these strips are denied use, there will be an even greater shortage
of hangar space on airfields not affected.
Six options are set out in the Government's recent consultation paper on
the subject:
1. retain the current situation
2.Remove the temporary use of rights to all users
3. Remove the 28 day "permitted development" rights for temporary markets,
all all motor sports and clay pigeon shooting
4. Reduce the number of days on which temporary markets, all motor sports
and clay pigeon shooting can operate without planning permission, to seven
days in any one year
5. Introduce a size threshold above which "permitted development" rights
would beremoved from temporary markets, all motor sports and clay pigeon
shooting. This appears to be primarily aimed at markets
6. Introduce a notification procedure for events - again aimed at markets,
fetes and similar events.
Although flying activities are not mentioned specifically, in many cases,
GA can fall under the "motor sports " category
In the paper
Question 17 asks "Which option for temporary use provision do you most
favour. Would you prefer an alternative option not set out in the paper"
Question 18 asks " Why do you prefer your chosen option
The GAAC says "Readers are therefore urged to respond to this consultation
paper and request that option 1 - for no change - be chosen. There are no
forms to complete. You simply need to answer Questions 17 & 18 and send the
letter to:
Development Control Policy Division
Department of Transport
Local Government and the Regions
Zone 4/J3, Eland House
Bressenden Place
London SW1E 5DU
For the attention of Mr Iain Clark"
To help fight any change to this rule please can you help by sending a
simple letter. This is a very important issue to the future of GA in the
UK.
Thank you.
Nigel Charles
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