Potential Alterations to Prohibited Zone
OK, so if we're agreed that the proposed restrictions, as written, mean that central London will be shut to helicopters for 2 months, and that this is stupid and unnecessary, what restrictions would people accept? At present, Battersea, the powerstation and Vanguard are all going to be unavailable for the entire duration of the ban, simply because we enter Special VFR, not IFR as stated, and because only Heathrow, City and Biggin are listed as acceptable origins/destinations. I can't see the owners of Battersea in particular being happy at losing 2 months revenue because no helicopters are allowed into the zone.
I think it is highly unlikely that asking for the status quo will be acceptable and that some form of restrictions are going to be necessary to placate the Olympics security empire.
What would work within the Prohibited Zone? Should we go down the route of removing the reference to IFR? Should the proposal simply say that all movements should be under the auspices of an AOC? Should the helilanes be closed but travel to/from Battersea allowed via Brent/due south?
Some of these will exclude private flights, others will exclude singles from flying - what are your thoughts as to what might work?
SBW