§ Mrs. Ray MichieTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects to bring in regulations to allow flight training to take place other than at United Kingdom licensed airfields; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. McLoughlinThe statutory responsibility for the safety regulation of United Kingdom civil aviation rests with the Civil Aviation Authority. I understand that the CAA has no immediate plans to propose regulatory changes which allow flight training to take place other than at United Kingdom licensed airfields. The CAA has, however, recently received a request from the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association that this requirement be relaxed in the case of certain smaller aerodromes operating light aircraft training types. This request is being examined.
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§ Mrs. Ray MichieTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is the cost of implementing the Civil Aviation Authority's regulations concerning fire cover for flight training; if there are any plans to amend the regulations; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. McLoughlinCurrently the need to provide adequate rescue and fire fighting facilities is part of the Civil Aviation Authority's requirement for the issue of an aerodrome licence. Fire cover is related to the proposed aerodrome usage and it is, therefore, not possible to isolate the cost element associated solely with flight training.
§ Mrs. Ray MichieTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many incidents of fire have been reported at aerodromes licensed for the purpose of flight training; how many fatalities have occurred in each year since 1979; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. McLoughlinThe issue by the Civil Aviation Authority of an aerodrome licence permits various activities including flight training. I understand that the authority has information only on incidents attended by the rescue and fire-fighting services and that these are not necessarily incidents where fire has been reported. The information is therefore not available in the format requested.