No longer a legal requirement to "Book Out" under SERA?

[fireflybob]

For many years there has been in the UK a legal requirement to "book out" with the ATCU details of the flight such as destination if landing away etc.

It would seem that under the Standardised European Rules of the Air (SERA) that there is no longer a requirement to do this.

Notwithstanding that some airports insist on pilots booking out, from a safety point of view it seems a simple and common sense action to take.

There is another thread running about this issue here:-

Booking Out (http://www.pprune.org/private-flying/558648-booking-out-legal-requirement.html)

[BillieBob]

No, there has been a legal requirement to 'take all reasonable steps' to give notice of landing or departure to the person in charge of the aerodrome or ATCU or FISU at the aerodrome.

There is no legal obligation to notify the route, destination or any other details unless:

a. the flight is in an aircraft over 5700kg with a destination more than 40km from the aerodrome; or

b. the flight is intended to cross the London or Scottish FIR boundary.

The requirement is contained in Rule 17 of the Rules of the Air Regulations and is unaffected by the introduction of Part-SERA. The ANO and Rules of the Air Regulations remain law in the UK unless they conflict with EU regulations.

[fireflybob]

The requirement is contained in Rule 17 of the Rules of the Air Regulations and is unaffected by the introduction of Part-SERA. The ANO and Rules of the Air Regulations remain law in the UK unless they conflict with EU regulations.

BillieBob, thanks for the clarification.

[BillieBob]

Bear in mind that the Rules of the Air Regulations 2015 are due to come into force on 30 April and do not include the current Rule 17. From that date there will no longer be a legal requirement to notify anyone of landing or departure except in circumstances where a flight plan must be submitted (SERA.4001).

All of this confusion could have been avoided if the UK CAA had, in the two years following the coming into force of Part-SERA, prepared for the transition instead of sitting with its collective thumb in its rear orifice and its collective mind in neutral!