WorkingHard
1st Sep 2006, 15:37
I have been flying in Europe as a company pilot for several decades. I have also had my own very trusty SEP for just over 20 years and have thoroughly enjoyed what I have done. I have now decided it is time to quit private flying. Why? Well the title suggest something of this but it is really a combination of thing – in no particular order –
1) Continued restricted access to many class D areas
2) Being treated like a pariah by some (not many) controllers
3) Airfields near to towns and cities disappearing
4) Cost of using “airports”
5) General view by airports of GA. For example when an airport puts “International” in the title watch out.
6) CAA living in the past with archaic restrictions.
7) Lack of proper LARS service OCAS
8) Idiotic airways (e.g. Channel Islands to accommodate the BN Islander?)
9) Military conflicts
10) Maintenance costs
11) Mode S (what benefit to me when flying OCAS)
12) Many more but others may add to this list.
I sometimes look back and see where I have been and at what cost. Absolute joy years ago but now everyone wants to “screw” GA. Who in God’s name needs “handling” at somewhere like LBA for example?
The list goes on. I have sold my SEP (full airways and took me and mine all over western Europe in comfort and safety.) and cannot see myself buying again until the present regime of Mode S and European regulation has settled down. I really do think there may well be some “cheap” aircraft for sale over the next few years as more people feel as do I.
I shall keep my licence and rating up to date just in case.
I shall read very carefully what other "friends" in this very small world of GA have to say and may be I shall get some sage advice.
WH
1) Continued restricted access to many class D areas
2) Being treated like a pariah by some (not many) controllers
3) Airfields near to towns and cities disappearing
4) Cost of using “airports”
5) General view by airports of GA. For example when an airport puts “International” in the title watch out.
6) CAA living in the past with archaic restrictions.
7) Lack of proper LARS service OCAS
8) Idiotic airways (e.g. Channel Islands to accommodate the BN Islander?)
9) Military conflicts
10) Maintenance costs
11) Mode S (what benefit to me when flying OCAS)
12) Many more but others may add to this list.
I sometimes look back and see where I have been and at what cost. Absolute joy years ago but now everyone wants to “screw” GA. Who in God’s name needs “handling” at somewhere like LBA for example?
The list goes on. I have sold my SEP (full airways and took me and mine all over western Europe in comfort and safety.) and cannot see myself buying again until the present regime of Mode S and European regulation has settled down. I really do think there may well be some “cheap” aircraft for sale over the next few years as more people feel as do I.
I shall keep my licence and rating up to date just in case.
I shall read very carefully what other "friends" in this very small world of GA have to say and may be I shall get some sage advice.
WH