West Midlands Conservative MEP, Philip Bradbourn OBE, met with local pilots and flying enthusiasts recently to discuss their concerns about incoming EU legislation governing flying licences. At a well attended meeting in Wellesbourne, Warwickshire pilots told Mr Bradbourn that they were unhappy about forthcoming legislation which could effectively revoke their licence.

At the meeting, one pilot explained that they will not be allowed to fly EASA (European Aviation Safety Agency) registered aircraft even though they were given a life licence (subject to health) by the UK Civil Aviation Authority in 1977. The CAA has issued other licences in that time none of which exclude holders of older licences from flying.

Furthermore those British residents who were qualified to fly an N registered aircraft issued via the US Federal Aviation Authority will no longer be allowed to fly in UK or EU airspace but American citizens who hold this qualification will be allowed to continue flying.

Speaking after the meeting Mr Bradbourn said; “I am deeply concerned by the impact which these new regulations could have on the light aircraft industry. These new rules do not seem to be well thought out and in some cases seem discriminatory. It seems unfair, for instance, that an American citizen can continue to fly on an N class licence in UK Airspace but a British citizen cannot”.