UK Civil Aviation Authority head of flight operations David Chapman confesses to being highly apprehensive about entering the "uncharted waters" of high levels of single-pilot operated very light jets in Europe's complex and congested airspace. "It's an airspace issue", he emphasises, pointing out that the increasing requirement for precision area navigation in reduced vertical separation minima airspace and complex terminal areas has already been proven to overload single-pilot crews, and he believes action to limit this potential risk should be taken before an accident happens. He points out that VLJ-category aircraft are not required to be fitted with airborne collision avoidance systems, and that the questions that would be raised if a VLJ were to collide with an Airbus A380 should be asked and dealt with now, and the industry should not wait for an accident to provide the impetus for action.
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Source: Flight International
