Journal of events in which Europe Air Sports officials participated or which have a direct impact on air sports and recreational aviation. [being updated regularly.]

References mentioned in this section can be found in section Library login or in the relevant other sections. Not all documents are readily available; if you want to read it, please contact the secretary-general (europe-airsports@wxs.nl).

A picture page is under construction, see link at the bottom of the text. 

2006

October

Again an ongoing number of EASA working groups  meetings took place, MDM.032, FCL, TF.017, with participation of our delegates/experts. The precise list of meetings is available in item Meeting Calendar of the menu section.

24-26 October

ANT (Eurocontrol) met, attended by Guenbter Bertram. His report follows. 

5 October

EASA Advisory Board meeting in Brussels, attended by the secretary-general.  

2-5 October

 Licensing Sectorial Team meeting in Athens, Rudi Schuegraf is our regular member. 

2 October

A team met with Eurocontrol representatives in preparation of the Sporting and Recreational Aviation Conference on 1 December. All details of this Conference is available in various sections of this website. 

30 September

Board meeting. The minutes are available in section Organization.  

September

Various meetings of the EASA working groups were attended by our delegates, TF.066, TF.017, TF.005

20 September

The EU Commission has held a large conference on Future Regulation of Aviation in Europe in Brussels. Around 300 delegates attended and 20 presentations have been  given, all of these are available at the EU website www.ec.europa.eu/transport/air-portal/2006-09-20-conference-en.htm . For Europe Air Sports Louis Berger, Rudi Schuegraf and Harry Schoevers attended.

19 September

ICB meeting attended by Rudi Schuegraf. 

14 September

JAA has held e meeting with interested parties (IPAP) and Harry Schoevers attended. The main issue was the future of JAA (liaison with EASA and coordinating for non-EU countries). 

12 September

A meeting on the developments of SESAR had been held in Geneva and our member of PPL/IR, Paul Draper, attended. His report is available under ref R6058. 

12 September

Our President, Sir John Allison, met with Mr Leichtfried, member of the European Parliament, and had the opportunity to explain our main concerns and expectations of the Commission Opinion for  the future regulation of General Aviation in Europe. This issue is highlighted in the Regulation section of this website.

4, 5, 6 September

Marcel Felten attended the SES workshop on charges and the TFA meeting of Eurocontrol. 

4 and 5 September

Fransois van Haaff attended the 8.33 kHz Steering group meeting and workshop. He reported in ref R6055 and R6056. More news will be discussed at the Eurocontrol Conference on 1 December.

August

First meetings with the EASA groups OPS and FCL have been held .

July

various meetings took place with the EASA working groups: MDM.032 (future regulation General Aviation), M.017 (maintenance), M.005 (pilot owner maintenance) and the EASA Advisory Board. Our  delegates to these meetings are mentioned in the Regulation section.

29/30 June

A general Sports Consultation Conference is held in Brussels with topics as the social function of sports and organizational aspects. EAS was represented by Louis Berger and FAI by Max Bishop. 

28/29 June

EASA SSCC meeting in Cologne, attended by Rudi Schuegraf.

27 June

ICB/11 attended by Rudi Schuegraf. 

24 June

Board meeting in Brussels. The meeting dealt with various issues. EC matters, like the amendment of the basic regulation (COM 579) and airport safety and security regulations (NPA 06/2006 and Regulation 2320), were discussed. Main subject was of course the progress in the EASA rulemaking working groups. MDM.032 (general scope with emphasis on Part-21 and maintenance) is very important for the community of sports and recreational aviation.

Also airspace matters and organizational items were handled. Next Board meeting is 6/7 October in Paris.

23 June

The president, Sir John Allison, and the secretary-general, Harry Schoevers, met with Sam Parkin, Eurocontrol Stakeholders Department, to start preparatory discussions on the Sports and Recreational Aviation Day on 1 December. 

20/22 June

Guenter Bertram attended the Eurocontrol TFA meeting in Kiev.  

20-22 June

JAA Licensing Sectorial Team meeting in Palma de Majorca, attended by Rudi Schuegraf. Reports is in the relevant section in Regulation login. 

15/16 June

MDM.032 meeting in Gatwick. Further information see below (18/19 May)

31 May / 2 June

ANT 40 (Air Navigation Team) meeting was attended by Guenter Bertram. His short report can be found under reference R6042.

29-31 May

Dr Peter Saundby participated in the Licensing Sectorial Team / Medical in Budapest. Interesting developments are taking place with regard to the future process of the medical expertise in aviation authority. See documents R6031 and R6045.

26, 27 April and 18 / 19 May

Meetings of the EASA regulatory group MDM.032. Europe Air Sports is represented by a team of experts. Further information can be found in the relevant chapter in section Regulation login (Task Force Light Aviation, click in menu righthand Key Issues).

26, 27 April

Eurocontrol workshop CASCADE in Toulouse with specific attention to ADS-B. Fransois van Haaff has made a report in document R6038.

24 April

ICB/10 in Brussels. Europe Air Sports is now regular member of the Airspace Users Group in this Committee and this time Rudi Schuegraf attended. One of the main items is the development of SESAR (the future European Air Traffic Management system). See report R6034.

20-21 April

A new development is the Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV). Eurocae has established a working group WG73 and Graham Lynn, our Technical Officer Aeromodelling, is member of this WG and reports in document R6032.

3-7 April

Rudi Schuegraf attended the Licensing Sectorial Team meeting (see R6034) and reported on the achievement to reduce the validation requirements of the Flight Instructor (as described in R6036).

28 March

A Stakeholders Forum of the SESAR project has been held in Geneva and Paul Draper (PPL/IR and also representing Europe Air Sports) has attended this event. His report is given in reference R6037.

28, 29 March

Guenter Bertram is our contact person for 8.33 matters and he attended the meeting for contact persons in Brussels. For a good overview document R6035 is recommended.

25/26 March

General Meeting of Europe Air Sports in Cologne, attended by 45 delegates and observers and guests. For more information it is referred to the Newsletter 23, see righthand menu for downloading.

16 March

One of the most important meetings for our branch of aviation, the EASA Rulemaking task force Light Aviation (coded MDM.032), attended by 9 members of EAS. At the time of writing the meeting is in progress, so details will be given later.

9 March

The 8.33 kHz Steering Committee meeting, attended by Fransois van Haaff. The Committee decided to carry out a business case and safety assessment to be discussed with the stakeholders, based on the HAZID results. We have to stay vigilant! See fransois' report R6015.

28 Febr/1 March

Guenter Bertram again participated in the TFA/26 meeting where airspace classification is handled. It was decided to change the famous Eurocontrol nomenclature of U, K and N into C, E and G in order to stay within ICAO nomenclatures. Follow up of the issue will be made by an impact assessment study. see report R6012.

22,23 February

Marcel Felten, our VP Board Operations,  attended the SCG (Stakeholders Consultation Group, former ACG -ATMS/CNS Consultation Group). This is the first meeting of the Group in new dress. Report is expected.

21-23 February

The first ANT (Airspace and Navigation Team of Eurocontrol) meeting attended by an EAS representative! Guenter Bertram was present and made himself familiarized with proceedings (report R6011).

13-15 February

The JAA Licensing Sub-sectorial Team (Medical) held its meeting in Istanbul. Our representative, Dr Peter Saundby, provided a strong scientific counterweight to the often subjective argumentations. Especially the discussions on validation of medical fitness are relevant to our aviation community. This subject will form an important subject in the EAS General Meeting in Cologne, 25/26 March.

Other subjects are the future influence of EASA on medical matters and a number of commercial aviation issues. See his report R6009.

7, 8 February

The Eurocontrol HAZID meeting has been attended by Fransois van Haaff (who is also representing the EGU). The meeting discussed the hazard identification of 8.33 kHz technology below flightlevel 195. A consultant (Integra) will carry out the analysis of the data achieved. See report R6004.

6-10 February

Our Technical Officer Licensing (also Programme Manager, busy job!) has attended the JAA Licensing Sectorial Team in Copenhague. A report will be made available shortly. 

4 February 

Our President, Sir John Allison, has been invited as guest speaker at the National Air Sports Congress of the Dutch National Aero Club (KNVvL) in Alphen, The Netherlands. His address is reproduced and available as reference S6012 (see home page, news items).

1 February

Eurocontrol Workshop of Airspace Classification (General Aviation). Several members of Europe Air Sports attended. A report will be made available in the near future.

28/29 January

Two days Board meeting in Brussels. A summarized report (action items and decisions as minutes) is available in the login section Organization/Board matters (S6007).

2005

16 December

Our President, Sir John Allison,  visits the Aero Club of Italy in Rome and meets with the top management of the Aero Club. Close co-operation is reaffirmed.

15 December

Top level meeting of FAI and Europe Air Sports in Luton, UK. A summary can be found on the frontpage. Minutes are attached in the Organization login section.

12/13 December

An important meeting on the 8.33 kHz Technology has been held in Brussels, attended by Guenter Bertram, the TO Airspace. Main issue of interest is the planning for vertical expansion. This is still an open issue and more meetings will be held in the coming year.

30 November - 1 December

EASA SSCC meeting in Cologne, Rudi Schuegraf attending. His report is uploaded (R5088) in the Organization login section, reporting on various issues.

22-24 November

Rudi Schuegraf attended the Licensing Sectorial Team nr. 15 in Hoofddorp. His report is available in the Organization login section (R5088).

An important issue is the Language proficiency requirement. An NPA will be issues next year and it will be important to watch that and send in your comments (see R5088 paragraph 4)

23 November
A small delegation of Europe Air Sports (the President, Sir John Allison, Marcel Felten, VP Board member, and Harry Schoevers, Secretary-general) visited Eurocontrol. They were received by the Director-general, Mr Victor Aguado, and had discussions with various leading staff members on subjects like proper representation, airspace classification, airspace equipment requirements and future developments. The contacts proved to be very open-minded and constructive. A more detailed report is available in the Airspace login section (S5071).

17 November

EASA Industry Meeting in Cologne. Europe Air Sports delegated a small team. Various members sent their own delegation. For a report see the EASA website.

15 November
The proposed amendment for regulation 1592, extending the scope of EASA to Air Operations and Licensing has been published by the Commission. See for more details the EASA website http://europa.eu.int/comm/transport/air/safety/doc/2005_11_16/com_2005_0579_en.pdf 

11 November
The first meeting of the Working Party Powered Flying of Europe Air Sports took place in Hanover. Participants of various member countries participated and decided on the main issues and the first chairman for the WP (MR Rudi Koenig).

The draft minutes are available in section Organization login/Working Party Powered Flying.

4 and 5 November
The Workshop Part-M for non-complex, non-commercial aviation in Cologne, organized by Europe Air Sports in co-ordination with EASA. More than 60 people participated and Mr Goudou, Executive Director of EASA, and Sir John Allison, President of Europe Air Sports, made opening speeches. Details are available in Regulation login section, Part-M (amendment).26 October
Sir John Allison, our President, attended the EASA Advisory Board meeting in Brussels. Details will become available shortly.

17-19 October
The medical group of the JAA Licensing Sectorial Team, Dr Peter Saundby attending. His report is available as R5079 in the restricted section Regulation login/Medical matters.

15 October
Europe Air Sports Board meeting in Paris. Full representation, except Pierre Portmann who presided the FAI Centenary Conference. Guest was Jannes Neumann, coordinator for the Part-M task group. Main issues were the EASA Part-M (maintenance) proposed regulation, the situation around Annex II (exempted aircraft of the EASA regulation) and the initiated task force for light aircraft in EASA, various airspace matters, the working party for powered flying, a proposal for a seminar of key strategic issues (tentatively 28 January) and of course organizational matters like financial issues, General Meeting etc. Board members also discussed strategical long term issues.

A summary can be found (shortly) in the Organization Board matters login section.

12, 13 October
Eurocontrol ACG (Consultancy Group), Marcel Felten attending. report follows.

11-13 October
JAA Licensing sectorial Team, Rudi schuegraf attending. Report follows.

7 October
ICB (the consultancy group for the Single European Sky) met in Brussels -in spite of long delays due to a universal strike and heavy fog in Brussels!- and Rudi Schuegraf managed to attend in time. The charging scheme and SESAME (the project for a new air traffic management system in Europe) were the main issues. See Airspace menu item.5 October
JAA is still operational and the Regulation Sectorial Team held its meeting in Hoofddorp. Apart from the technical issues an interesting presentation about the future of JAA has been given. Harry Schoevers attended and a summary is given in the Regulation/JAA menu item.

28 and 29 September
Rudi Schuegraf  attended a meeting in Cologne on Part 66 (Air Mechanic Licences) and in Hoofddorp on Flight Crew Licence training. Although these topics do not directly influence our aviation sector it should be monitored.

14 and 22 September
Eurocontrol held two meetings on the 8.33 kHz vertical expansion policy. Our Technical Officer Airspace Guenter Bertram participated in these meetings and his report can be seen in the Airspace login menu ref 8.33 kHz issues.

Information on 8.33 kHz communication equipment will be provided to the EAS Members in the near future.

6-7 September
The TFA group met in Brussels (Guenter Bertram attending) and an important subject is the FLZ level. See reports in the relevant Airspace login menu.

In essence good news for us is that the "lower division level" has been abandoned by Eurocontrol as there is too much resistance from a number of States. So rules remain as they are for lower airspace and national regulators make arrangements as in the past. But the ball is therefore in the camp of the national aero clubs who should ensure that not too much airspace is taken away from them!

EAS shall have to watch carefully future moves of the Commission within the Single European Sky regulation as they have a task to achieve there in terms of lower airspace.2-4 September
The first full meeting of the Special Task Group Part-M took place near Frankfurt. A report is expected shortly after the meeting and can be seen under the menu item Regulation login subpart Part-M. In the meantime preparations have started to have an EASA/EAS Workshop on Part-M in Cologne on 4 and 5 November (change of date!). More information can be found in the relevant section of the Regulation login menu and on the frontpage.September and October will be very busy months for the delegates of Europe Air Sports.

You can get an indication when looking at the Meeting Calendar menu item, see Planning down to the bottom!

July and August have been quiet months for Europe Air Sports matters, hopefully not for the individual members who have enjoyed their air sport activities!

An exception is there for our Programme Manager who has deployed a number of activities monitoring and initiating actions. If you are interested, you may have a look at his activity report for July ref R 5058 in menu item Organization login.

12 July
After a long time of passive existence the JAA IPAP (Interested Parties Advisory Panel) met again with the Central JAA management. JAA Chief Executive, Andre Auer, briefed the representatives (Harry Schoevers for Europe Air Sports) about the current and future situation of the JAA. A roadmap has been set up for the future and this will be discussed and decided at the JAA Board and Committee meetings as well as the ECAC Director-Generals meeting in the end of August. The intention is to terminate Central JAA at a specific date (planning now 1-1-2007) and either hand over or mandate EASA for the areas of Operations, Licensing and SAFA (Safety Assessment of Foreign Aircraft). JAA will continue for a couple of years in a limited scale. Until then JAA takes care of these areas and of Certification / Maintenance issues for (12)non-EASA Member States. A summary report is available in the Regulation login section.

6 July
The EASA Advisory Board met in Brussels. Our regular representatives (John Allison and Harry Schoevers) were prevented to attend, so our Programme Manager, Rudi Schuegraf, went and made proper representation. His report is published in the login section (Regulation/EAB).

28 June
Our VP Operations, Marcel Felten, and the new Technical Officer Airspace, Gunter Bertram, have met with Sam Parkin, Eurocontrol Stakeholders Unit. A number of important issues have passed: briefing of the Eurocontrol organization (for our new TO), the TFA meeting of the previous day (see separate report), vertical expansion of 8.33 KHz and further meetings to be scheduled.
A high-level meeting between the Eurocontrol  DG (Mr Aguado) and our President (Sir John Allison) will be arranged in autumn of this year.
More news can be found in the login section Airspace.

27 June
TFA meeting Eurocontrol in Brussels, attended by Marcel Felten and Gunter Bertram, followed by a special meeting with Eurocontrol officials.

24 June
EASA has issued an NPA 07/2005 regarding an amendment of Part-M (=Maintenance) in the EASA Opinion of amending Regulation 2042/2003 (dealing with a.o. Continuing Airworthiness).
This NPA follows a Regulatory Impact Assessment (RIA) of Part-M on non-commercial aviation.
The full documentation can be viewed and downloaded from the EASA website http://www.easa.eu.int/home/rm_npa_en.html
The Board of Europe Air Sports has established a Special Task Group Part-M to study and assess the aceptability or otherwise of the NPA and submit comments to EASA within the assigned timescale. Details can be found in the Regulation login section/Part M amendment.

Interested parties should make contact with the secretary-general or Programme Manager for further information europe-airsports@wxs.nl or  r.schuegraf@europe-air-sports.org.21 June
Europe Air Sports submitted a comment on Annex II of Regulation 1592/2002 to the Head of the Air Safety Unit of DG Energy & Transport. This comment addresses weight thresholds for gliders for exemption, modifications in weight allowances for aeroplanes, in criteria for complexity and age for historic aircraft, etx. This document is available for downloading in the login section Regulation/EASA Annex II 14 and 15 June
The EU Commission has organized a conference in Brussels to consult the European Sports Movement. A delegation from Europe Air Sports has attended the conference on behalf of FAI (who is responsible for the sports matters in Europe) since two of the issues to be discussed have impact on regulatory developments (the social function of sports and volunteering in sports). The conference papers and the submission of the EAS delegation are available in menu item Organization login/ Sports Conference.

14 and 15 June
The Licensing Sectorial Team will meet in Cologne. Our Rudi Schuegraf will participate and a report will be published as soon as information is available.

13 and 14 June
The JAA Licensing Sub-sectorial Team Medical will meet in Oslo. Our Dr Peter Saundby will participate and a report will be published as soon as information is available.

11 June
The Board has met in Brussels. The agenda may be viewed in the Organization login/Board section. A summary of the minutes will be available shortly in the same section.

1 June
EASA Fees and Charges regulation in force. The Regulation can be downloaded from the Regulation login/Fees and Charges menu item. See also the message on that page.

23 May
The ICB (SES Indusrty Consultation Body) met in Brussels. Information will be published as soon as available.

9/10 May
Eurocontrol ACG meeting in Brussels, attended by Louis Berger. A summary report will be available in the (restricted) Airspace login section.

30 April 2005
As from today the EU Regulation for Air Carriers and Aircraft Operators 785/2004 takes effect. See for more information the Menu item Commission (login section).

23 April
General Conference in Friedrichshafen, concurrent with the Aero Exhibition. See agenda in Organization login.

9 April
Board meeting in Brussels. Preparation of General Meeting matters including nominations for vacancies in the Board and financial matters.

8 April
Eurocontrol Business & General Aviation Day. Sir John Allison addressed the audience in an opening speech. See front article.

8/9 March
The JAA Licensing Sectorial team met in Hoofddorp and Rudi Schuegraf attended. The LST will be transferred to EASA in the last quarter of this year.

28 February/2 March
JAA Licensing Subsectorial Team-Medical had their meeting in Istanbul. Dr Peter Saundby was present. Main issues were medical procedures and an attempt to block the EASA recreational pilot license which was prevented due to intervention of our delegate.

23/24 February
SSCC (EASA Safety and Standards Consultatie Committee) met in Cologne. Rudi Schuegraf is a regular member and attended. Functioning of the Committee and EASA programme issues were discussed.

23/24 February
ACG (ATMS/CNS Consultation Group of Eurocontrol) met in Brussels and Louis Berger attended, replacing Marcel Felten who was prevented. The Agency reported on SES mandates and various technical issues. The group will be converted into a Stakeholders Consultation Committee later this year.

5/6 February
Board meeting in Brussels. Main items were the Board restructuring, matters related to the General Meeting and various technical issues. 27 January
EASA Advisory Board in Toulouse. Secretary-General participated as regular member. Fees & Charges and policy matters. 13 January
ICB (Industry Consultation Body of the Single European Sky) met in Brussels. Although Europe Air Sports is not a regular member of the ICB, the Airspace Users Group of the ICB invited EAS to participate in the pre-meeting. David Roberts attended that meeting.