25 June 2013
The CAA today launched a consultation on its proposals for the implementation of the Standardised European Rules of the Air (SERA). The consultation period runs from 25 June 2013 to 28 August 2013.
Full details of the consultation, including how to submit comment on the CAA’s proposals, can be found on the CAA website <a href=’http://www.caa.co.uk/consultations’ target=’_blank’>www.caa.co.uk/consultations</a>.
SERA has been jointly developed by Eurocontrol and the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) on behalf of the European Commission. It is intended to introduce a harmonised set of rules for pilots to abide by when flying in European airspace. According to the CAA, aligning rules across Europe will make it simpler for UK pilots flying overseas, as many of the distinctive rules applied across the continent will be removed. Although SERA was introduced on 4 December 2012, the UK has decided not to complete implementation until 4 December 2014 at the latest.
SERA is based upon existing International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) requirements already in effect in UK airspace. However, there will be changes to some of the current UK rules and regulations laid out in the Air Navigation Order and the UK Rules of the Air. These include (but are not limited to):
· A change from the use of quadrantal cruising levels to semicircular cruising levels to align the UK with the rest of the world
· Minimum heights
· Transition to the SERA rules covering VFR night flying
· Special VFR requirements
· Rights of way on the ground
The CAA has stated that its objective is to minimise SERA’s impact upon UK operations as far as possible. This can be achieved through the application of SERA’s flexibility provisions and the retention of as many of the UK’s current rules as permitted.
As EASA and Eurocontrol continue to develop SERA requirements the CAA will provide further information to UK pilots and will also provide updates on its progress with implementation in the UK and how the changes will affect pilots.
<a href=’http://www.caa.co.uk’ target=’_blank’>www.caa.co.uk</a>
