From another palce
"Have just been watching the (live) broadcast this evening from Strasbourg of the European Parliament reading / debate on the extension of EASA’s scope to Licensing, Operations and Third Country (i.e. non EU) Aircraft.
Several MEPs made reference to the importance of light aviation and the SME sector, the impact of EASA of costs particularly on maintenance (with a UK example quoted of a 60% increase). But most significant was UK MEP Philip Bradbourne’s speech which criticised EASA for its inefficiencies and failings, and the burden of red tape. “Not yet fit for purpose” he said, opposing the extension of EASA’s scope.
UK MEP Timothy Kirkhope (he is a private pilot) said EASA is incompetent, with delays in procedures and other difficulties and not yet fit for purpose. He said the UK costs were already high because of the CAA’s requirement to recover full cost. He referred particularly to the impact of EASA on private pilots and in particular the threat to UK pilots of possible withdrawal of the IMCR. He quoted Flyer Magazine, then referred to the UK weather which required the use of the IMCR . “Scrapping the ICR would be disastrous.” He asked the Commissioner (Jaques Barrot) to take a close look at this.
Barrot responded that he would be “at Mr Kirkhope’s disposal” to look at this.
The full Parliament vote on the 2nd reading is tomorrow.
I think the session was recorded and should be available at:
http://www.europarl.europa.eu/wps-eu...net/faces/vod/"