So, my point is that the majority of operators, certainly in the south east of UK, who rely to a large extent on access to Battersea will find their operations severely curtailed, as a result of the requirement for exposure approval. This will cause serious economic hardship to many operators. Indeed the reduction in flights using the heliport may even result in the heliport itself becoming economically unviable, resulting in the loss of the heliport altogether.
Naturally this consideration is of far more consequence to the majority of onshore operators in the UK, than any suggested 'economic benefit' of fitting £20k UMS equipment to their helicopters.
While the need to address uncertainties surrounding future performance is undoubted. It is equally vital to protect current activities - or we may have no operators left to implement the wonderful new code - or heliport to expose ourselves at.