September 2004

ICAO Symposium on English Language Proficiency

The ICAO Language Symposium was held at ICAO Headquarters from 1 through 3 September. The IAOPA Representative to ICAO, Frank Hofmann, attended to represent the interests of IAOPA affiliates. Approximately 300 delegates participated, about 40% of who were from the language training industry. The purpose of the symposium was to discuss implementation methods for the ICAO mandated language proficiency for pilots and air traffic controllers set to take effect in 2008. Interestingly, this was the first time the language training industry met with the aviation industry.

Presentations were made on topics such as the safety concern that poor communications pose, the ICAO Language Proficiency requirements, testing, teaching materials and resources, and various case studies were presented.

It appeared that few countries were aware of what would be involved to train and then to test the proficiency in English as per the new ICAO Standard. The training industry appears not to be well enough established to perform the initial proficiency test on some 300,000 license holders by 2008.

Although all presentations were in relation to Air Traffic Control and Airline concerns, IAOPA was able, through interventions, to submit a position paper and person-to-person contact, to sensitize delegates and the ICAO Secretariat to General Aviation's concerns with regard to English Language Proficiency requirements conformance. It is likely that an English Training and Testing industry will develop quickly, seeking to take the business advantage created by the adoption of the new ICAO Standard.

It is important for IAOPA affiliates to contact their legislators now before expensive, awkward, and prohibitive measures are developed by States (use IAOPA Information Paper on the subject for background). The ideal actions by affiliates at this point would be to meet with their respective regulators to determine the extent of risk represented by non-English speaking license holders and to suggest ways to minimize that risk in a manner acceptable to all. The regulators must show compliance to the ICAO Standard by 2008, and all regulators will require assistance from our GA community so that what will be implemented for the testing of license holders will be acceptable to our community. ICAO will review the progress toward conformance in 2006, at which time it will be possible to delay the implementation date.

IAOPA Responds to EASA Proposal

In a recent notice of proposed amendment the European Aviation Safety Agency asked its stakeholders whether "third-country aircraft used for non-commercial activities in the Community by third-country operators should be subject to [European] Community legislation?"

IAOPA responded, in part, "This would be acceptable if the legislation provided for only random surveillance of third-country aircraft to ensure their compliance with ICAO standards. For the host country to impose regulations exceeding ICAO standards on an aircraft from another State of registry would seem to be a violation of the ICAO Convention.

"These proposals seek to extend the Commission's powers to exercise greater control and surveillance over third-country aircraft. Since the obligation of all contracting States to comply with ICAO standards is clearly stated in the ICAO Convention, non-ICAO standards imposed by a host country are redundant and violate the letter, spirit and intent of the ICAO Convention.

"If a host country finds that a third-country aircraft is not adhering to the regulations of its State of registry, the host country should request that the State of registry enforce its regulations. Alternatively, the host country may seek to have the level of ICAO standards raised within the ICAO Council."

The wide-ranging EASA notice also contained a number of proposals relating to its powers and scope of operation within the European region that were responded to by individual European AOPA affiliates.

IAOPA Europe Opposes Eurocontrol Proposed Charges

Eurocontrol is seeking comments to a sweeping new charging scheme for all forms of air traffic control and information services. The charges are being pushed by the European Commission in conjunction with its Single European Sky project.

Martin Robinson, Deputy Vice President IAOPA Europe, states the region's position: "In effect our position is that the status quo should be maintained and that is no charges for VFR flights or IFR flights for aircraft with a maximum takeoff mass of less than two tons; no charges for flights that arrive and depart at the same aerodrome and no charges for training flights.

"VFR is what it says - visual flight rules - de facto VORs/DMEs/NDBs, etc., are only an aid to visual navigation. As most pilots use GPS today freely, there can be no justification for wanting to charge GA/AW for navigation aids that are primarily in place to support commercial air transport operations.

"The commercial air transport industry receives billions of Euros of subsidies by way of no fuel tax and no value added tax on the sale of airline tickets. They use the airspace to make profits for their shareholders whilst GA/AW activity is usually being funded by the individual's tax income. GA/AW operators also pay duty on AVGAS plus the VAT every time they go flying."

Mr. Robinson has encouraged all IAOPA European affiliates to respond to this proposal prior to the 17 September deadline.

AOPA-Thailand Works to Expedite Country Entry Clearances

Foreign registered aircraft must request permission to operate in or fly through Thailand. While this is not an uncommon national regulation the two week lead time required by the Thai Director of Civil Aviation and the uncertainty of receiving permission has impeded flying tourism in the country. A number of aircraft from Indonesia and Australia have been discouraged from flying in Thailand due to this procedure.

As a consequence AOPA-Thailand (the Thai Flying Club) has been meeting with the Thai DCA to request that they issue clearances sooner to give pilots of foreign aircraft greater confidence that they will receive permission in a timely manner. AOPA-Thailand has explained to the DCA that foreign aircraft visiting Thailand are a good source of revenue for the country. These are tourists with a bit more money than backpackers, but their strick regulations make their visits more trouble than they are worth.

AOPA-Chile Fights to Save Key Airport

Gonzalo Picó DomÍnguez, President AOPA-Chile, advises that a Chilean government planned real estate project will close the Los Cerrillos airport in the capital city, Santiago. The airport is the second largest airport serving the city and handles around 32% of all national traffic, including private, and commercial as well as military operations; it is the only IFR alternative to the main air carrier airport. Additionally, the government recently closed another key Santiago airport.

AOPA-Chile is working with various government agencies to stay the airport closing or to build a reduced size airport on the existing property. Additionally, it has contacted the Guggenheim Foundation for support since that agency provided a major portion of the initial funding for the airport in 1929. IAOPA is contacting Chilean delegates in ICAO for possible support.

AOPA-Germany and Sweden Elect Boards

Both AOPA-Sweden and Germany elected their boards of directors in July. Sweden's new board includes President Lars Hjelmberg, Vice President Arne Karyd and Secretary Bjarne Lundholm.

Germany's entire board was reelected including Klaus Zeh, President; Otto Stein, Vice President; Sibylle Glässing-Deiss, Vice President; Rolf-Rainer Barenberg, Treasurer; Thomas Neuland, Adviser; and Gabriele Mair, Wolfgang Müller, and Jochen Pieper, Advisors.

AOPA-Mexico President Dies in Aircraft Accident

On Sunday, 29 August 2004, Mr. Roberto Henric, President of AOPA-Mexico, passed away in an accident while flying his Twin Comanche. He was 68 years old. Details of the accident are still sketchy but apparently it involved an engine failure on takeoff. The accident also took the lives of Roberto's son Enrique Henric, also a pilot, and Mr. Ricardo Gonzalez, a friend and passenger traveling with them. Mr. Gonzales was a grandson of one of Mexico's aviation pioneers, Mr. Hector Lozoya. Funeral services were held in Chihuahua, Mexico on 6 September 2004.

AOPA-Australia Praises Regional Airport Security Measures

AOPA-Australia has welcomed the announcement of its government's plans for rural and regional aviation security. The new A$48 million package of measures for regional aviation will include:
 

• Regional Australian Federal Police Protective Service Rapid Deployment Teams.
• New screening capability for 146 regional airports.
• A joint training and exercise program involving state, territory, and federal police.
• A closed-circuit television (CCTV) trial.
• Improved security training for regional airline and airport staff.
• A public awareness campaign.
• Further funding for hardened cockpit doors.

AOPA particularly welcomes the very sensible proportional risk management approach to be adopted and funding arrangements that provide for no cost burdens to the airports themselves or associated small businesses, already struggling to survive in areas of economic contraction, brought about by drought and other factors beyond their control.

Also, see the new AOPA-Australia Web site.

Belgocontrol Proposes Withdrawal of NDBs

In a recent communication to its airspace users Belgocontrol listed existing non-directional beacons and asked for advice about their future viability and existence. Noting that the European Civil Aviation Conference had plans to withdraw NDBs by 2010 the Belgocontrol communication asked a series of questions about NDB usage, primarily for IFR but also for VFR.

This communication, one of the first of its kind, points to the eventual removal of most ground-based radio navigation aids worldwide. While this will probably not begin to occur until late in this decade or be completed prior to 2015, affiliates should be aware of this trend and open discussions with air navigation service providers to determine their plans for the phase-out of NDBs and VORs. While NDBs are of marginal importance for VFR operations, VORs are still important for all types of flying; GPS may be the wave to the future.

International Civil Aviation Day Theme Announced

The ICAO Council, its governing body, recently approved the theme "International Cooperation: The Solution to Global Aviation Challenges" for the worldwide celebration of International Civil Aviation Day on 7 December 2004 and throughout the year 2005.

The purpose of the annual celebration is to establish and reinforce worldwide awareness of the importance of international civil aviation in the social and economic development of States. The role of ICAO in promoting the safety, efficiency and regularity of international air transport should be emphasized in this context. States and aviation organizations are encouraged to honor this day with flag raisings, award presentations, air shows, exhibitions, tours and symposia could all be part of these programs during the year 2005.

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