Well I guess it is official. Mike Cleaver and I got a message from Bob Hall
saying that the reason for no GFA pilot education about the Nov 27th NAS
changes is because there were no changes to MBZ or CTAF procedures.
My reply is below for the group members to ponder:
Well, not so according to Mike Cleaver whom you quoted and not so according
to the educational material I got from NASIG as a PPL.
Would it not be a good idea for glider pilots to know how the other
airspace users operations will change after Nov 27th?
What else? Let's see now - glider pilots will have access to vast volumes
of airspace which was formerly Class C(Clearance required) and has been
reclassified Class E(No clearance for VFR). A huge freedom.
There is additional Class E airspace but gliders can fly in it without a
clearance or a transponder. Likewise a very valuable concession which comes
with responsibilities.
Do you think it might be an idea for glider pilots to know what the other
airspace users do in Class E? We could lose the concession particularly if
there are incidents traceable to ignorance on the part of the glider pilots.
Gliders CANNOT fly in Class E within 40nm of a Class D tower without a
transponder.
Would it be a good idea to tell glider pilots about this before one
blunders in to say the Albury or Tamworth Class E and is seen by a regional
airliner?
You do realise that gliders fly outside CTAFs and MBZs?
Should we worry about the quality of the advocacy for gliding with the
authorities if this is what comes from the highest levels?
Unfortunately the GFA's efforts have resulted in RPL's for glider pilots
being off the agenda for now despite there being no detectable groundswell
of opinion against licences amongst glider pilots.
A licence would have meant that glider pilots would be directly sent any
educational material on airspace changes or other material that may impact
on sport and private aviation. In fact I've heard very little opinion
against a licence and much in favour.
But then you and the rest of the exec wouldn't know and have never been
elected by the people your policies effect.
Your airspace comment is typical of the mushroom management policy of the
GFA exec.
It could yet prove very disadvantageous for gliding.
Mike
Borgelt Instruments - manufacturers of quality soaring instruments
phone Int'l + 61 746 355784
fax Int'l + 61 746 358796
cellphone Int'l + 61 428 355784
Int'l + 61 429 355784
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