Sir - Further to the story "Europe may offer solution to UK cargo singles ban" (Flight International, 25 June-1 July, P32), the UK Civil Aviation Authority stated in court that there is no rule or regulation which prohibits the commercial operation of aircraft such as the Cessna Caravan, when such operations are permitted under the terms of a European Union operating licence in the country of registration.
The H5 Norwegian operation was stopped because the Norwegian air operator's certificate stated that the operator must comply with the rules, regulations and procedures in the country of operation. Procedures cannot effectively be made rules or regulations. Although the CAA won on that operation, the door is not closed for others.
It was stated in court that the authority was considering, on safety grounds, a rule prohibiting commercial single-engined operations at night and in instrument meteorological conditions.
The Caravan has an outstanding safety record. Since its introduction in 1985, more than 875 have been sold in 54 countries. The fleet total is in excess of 2.5 million flight hours. This record sets standards by which others are judged.
Through the European Joint Aviation Authorities Working Group, the CAA has spent nearly two years drafting proposed regulations to cover the commercial operation of single-engined aircraft. The CAA has determined that these aircraft can be operated safely when such operations are controlled. Our operators have asked the CAA to operate under Joint Aviation Requirements (JARs) supervision, rather than none, if on a foreign register, and received a curt "-wait until the JARs are in place" reply.
If the CAA is considering banning such operations, then there has to be a reason, as the European Union prohibits any state introducing any regulation which could be discriminatory or unjustifiable. Is it trying to pass this through without the need for proper consultation?
If so, then the General Aviation Manufacturers and Traders Association, the European Business Aircraft Association and the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association need to be aware of such plans. Buyers of private, corporate or commercial aircraft are finding it increasingly more economically viable to place their aircraft on registers other than that of the UK CAA.
These are not flags of convenience, nor do they operate to lower standards of safety. Buyers just cannot afford to be bound by archaic bureaucracy and unjustifiable costs.
Bob Crowe
Bob Crowe Aircraft Sales
Cranfield, Bedford, UK
Source: Flight International
