Tony Rapson???
Been involved in GA for a few years now, and in the RAF for some time before that. Never heard of Tony Rapson. But it would appear that he has spent most of his career in the corridors of policy and decision makers for airspace, so not surprising that we have never met. Well, we all use airspace, so I can see some relevance, but I haven't yet seen any reference to his previous or present connections to GA. Has he got a PPL? Does he hold an EASA Part 66 Licence? Is he a member of AOPA? Does he have a share in an LAA aircraft? Has he heard of an IMC rating? Is he capable of passing or does he hold a Class 2 medical? Unanswered questions abound.
Now, I know that you don't have to be a banker to become CEO of the Co-op bank, and I know that the head of Virgin Rail is not a train driver. However, rightly or wrongly, I feel that a considerable amount of relevant experience, not personal connections, should form a major part of the criteria to be met for this important position. None of us wish to continue the ridiculous merry-go-round of inappropriate and disproportionate regulation being forced upon us by, say, well meaning but clueless beaurocrats who we all have to suffer for no benefit.
I sincerely hope we all discover that Tony Rapson has been involved in GA for some time, and already understands the severity of the problems facing this vital sector of aviation in the UK. After all, how else will he be able to deal with the task if he doesn't clearly understand the problems at the coal face? He certainly won't be able to learn it in a couple of months.
Camlobe