1 May 2007
CAA has today announced General Exemptions from the ANO for light aircraft engaged on non-public transport flights.
The exemptions cover the requirement in the ANO to carry an approved emergency locator transmitter and also the requirement for approved lifejackets, life rafts and supplementary oxygen equipmnet
Similarly, the general exemption will be issued permitting a personal locator beacon to be carried in lieu of an emergency locator transmitter whilst a further review is undertaken.
The latest issue of <a href=”http://www.flyer.co.uk/magazine”>FLYER magazine</a> has a news story which explains the background to this story. In effect, the ANO decreed that if you’re flying over (a longer stretch of) water, you should carry a lifejacket. That lifejacket should be EASA or CAA approved. So far, so good. But look at the list of approved lifejackets and you’ll find none that are constant wear – they’re all the sort that get stowed under an airliner’s seats, to be donned only in an emergency.
Obviously, that’s not good, because as anyone who’s tried it will know (and please don’t try it in flight) it’s not easy to get one of those on when you’re in a light aircraft.
A similar story surrounds the ELT part of the exemption
