4 January 2007
The CAA’s (extended) trial of GPS non-precision approaches for general aviation aircraft (see <a href=’newsfeed.php?artnum=276′ target=’_blank’>here for details</a>) came to a close at the end of 2006.
And the results? When will we be able to fly a GPS approach in this country?
Don’t hold your breath. The press release says: “The CAA will now be assessing the viability of the design, approval, management and use of such approaches, by UK pilots and operators using the trial data, together with reports and regulatory information from countries already using GPS approaches. A full public consultation exercise is likely to be required before any changes to policy or procedures are implemented in respect of use of such approaches by GA pilots. ”
That doesn’t sound hopeful, but elsewhere the press release says “The CAA hopes to be in a position to approve the use of GPS for non-precision approaches by GA pilots in summer 2007.”
Fingers crossed (but not on approach, obviously).
Facts:
– The reports filed by pilots taking part in the trial will not be seen by the CAA but are being independently assessed by Leeds University and Imperial College, London.
– Shoreham, Gloucestershire, Inverness, Exeter, Durham Tees Valley and Blackpool
– After the CAA told us all off because not enough people were taking part in the trials (hey, they wanted to, they just had N-reg aircraft) there was an upturn in participation, and 150 reports were filed
