NigelR,
I have PM'ed you, as I'm afraid the PFA CE did exactly as I said. I gather it may have been prompted by the Eurostar issue, but was not phrased as such to the BMAA.
Just to clarfy the often stated error re: the SLA "class that never was".
When Section S issue 2 was agreed, raising the maximum weight limit for microlights from 390kg to 450kg, there was a problem with the amendment cycle of the Air Navigation Order (the Statutory Instrument, that amongst other things contains the legal microlight definition). As it wasn't possible to change the legal definition of a microlight in the ANO in time for the issue of Section S issue 2, the CAA issued a new microlight definition but worded as Small Light Aircraft, which aligned with the actual title of Section S. As soon as the ANO came up for amendment the mythical SLA class disappeared, as it was only a legal artifact in the first place.
Most "SLA's" happened to fall into the BMAA camp anyway, as they were microlights all along. In fact, during the couple of years that the SLA definition was extant it covered all microlights anyway. The PFA has only ever had a small handful of microlights, probably no more than about 200 machines in total I suspect, whereas the BMAA fleet is about ten times that size or more.
I guess if the PFA can look at competing with the BMAA for it's main income stream, then the BMAA should do the same and look at seeking approval to oversee Gp A homebuilts.
I find this very odd behavior for an association that refused point blank to have anything whatsoever to do with microlights 25 years ago. In fact, the PFA's action back then directly led to the formation of the BMAA. "As ye sow, so shall ye reap........."
Last edited by VP959; 24th April 2004 at 19:36.