fire cover - do we really need it?
It seems we are now the only place in Europe where it is a legal requirement to have a licenced airfield and fire cover for flight training. This means that a lot of flying clubs have to provide it at their own expense which in turn is passed on to the student and other customers. The microlight and gliding fraternity are completely exempt from this requirement - one then has to ask why the CAA insist on it, bearing in mind that FIC, IMC, IR / multi and PPL checkouts and private flying do not require it. Is it not about time that it was reviewed (they have been talking about it for years).
I note that the chief fire officer of Bristol Airport retired after 40 years having never attended a fire!
Whats the general view on this?