online GAR ripoff in the UK

[Phil Histine]

Has anyone started using the new paid-for Online GAR? Having been free thus far, you're now expected to buy 'credits' for each leg and passenger, all adding up to as much as the landing fees by the time you've finished. If, like me, you're charged £12 anyway for the GAR submission by the airfield whether it's submitted via the tower or online, this will simply mean that I return to the old paper-based process. Surely a labour-increasing backward step by the Border Force, then?

[Johnm]

Which airfield is charging £12 for GAR flight?

As to rip off, the guy who developed the service did it in his own time at this own expense in an effort to head off the risk of burdensome BF restrictions, he is merely trying to recover the direct costs of providing the service ongoing. For my money it's very good value especially if used integrated with Skydemon.

[DaveW]

Submitting a GAR online is still free - see the AOPA UK site (http://www.aopa.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=372&Itemid=815).

If you want the additional facilities offered by OnlineGAR.com, then you can choose to pay for them. Or not, it's entirely up to you.

But filing a GAR is not a "ripoff", because to file a GAR for personal use is free.

Do it yourself and there's no need to pay the £12 fee to whichever airfield that is - now that IS a ripoff!

[PA28181]

Slightly OT. A certain airfield has put out a notice RE:their GAR requirements.

"Although EG** is not a notified Customs Aerodrome, we have an agreement with the UK Border Agency which obligates us to notify flight details direct to them prior to departure. Note that this is at variance to the AOPA stipulation on the subject"

Can anyone confirm if this is true?

[riverrock83]

I'm guessing you are talking about Fairoaks.
See FLYER Forums ? View topic - Online GAR (http://forums.flyer.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=1&p=1280972)
As mentioned on the thread, as a private airport they can say you need to wear pink trousers and salute their flag as you leave if they want to - up to you whether you want to use their services.
However it isn't a border force stipulation - and Border Force almost certainly sent a letter to them as such quite a while ago...

[Contacttower]

"Although EG** is not a notified Customs Aerodrome, we have an agreement with the UK Border Agency which obligates us to notify flight details direct to them prior to departure. Note that this is at variance to the AOPA stipulation on the subject"


The UK does not have exit controls and there is no requirement to submit information to the BF on departure. It is BF policy to encourage everyone to use the online system since this makes routing through their systems easier and more likely to reach the correct person.

I'm not sure exactly what is going on at Fairoaks but they have no right to demand such information.