Sunday Times Attack on Transport Secretary
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Newcastle Upon Tyne
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I also find it interesting that he regularly flies his staff around on government business in the N-reg Saratoga. He has even advertised that fact on his own social media!
If a journalist had some aviation insight it would be an interesting project to look into Shapps’ piloting credentials. As often happens where the apparent ‘elite’ feel that the rules are not for them mishaps and Swiss cheeses start to line up. The first question would be why the need for FAA licences and FAA registered aircraft? Most aviation professionals could deduce that there is a subtext of avoiding the regulatory system of the host country for some type of subterfuge or avoidance of expense even if legitimate. Are these licences valid, current and legal? Does Shapps fly on a ppl or higher licence with instrument qualification or not? Who checks him annually or biannually? Medical? Are engineering schedules adhered to under FAA regs? Are insurances and other documents valid and up to date? The fact that he owns an N reg Saratoga with connections to the charlatans that ended in the tragic accident and the death of the wholly innocent young footballer would set off alarm bells in my mind. There is a story here if a journalist used some old fashioned forensic enquiry.
Not bitter, Hallam. Angry that a young man with an incredible future was lost to criminal incompetence and lack of requisite and legal qualifications. If Shapps has FAA licences and even has some vague connection with that group then alarm bells start flashing. Just why does the UK Minister of Transport avoid holding the CAA pilot licences that he oversees in that role? Shapps has a past that highlights his capability to lie and deceive, not an uncommon trait in modern politicians. Hypocrisy appears to be a national sport that our leaders are currently excelling in. I know people that have dealt with Shapps and he is not held in high regard. There may be a story here if any journalist starts digging. I would start with the FAA pilot data base.
Quite ironic to discover that Shapps operates under the FAA system. I recently sent him an angry e mail because I nearly lost the sale of my share in an aircraft. This was because the purchaser, a UK citizen with a FAA PPL, became worried about having to change to a CAA PPL. This was just about the same time as the CAA announced that people like him would have to change. The problem was that everybody we spoke to at the CAA had a different explanation of what he needed to do. It seemed crazy to me that the CAA would introduce new rules without making sure that their staff understood the requirements. In the end my purchaser discovered that he could fly a Permit aircraft anyway and he is now thoroughly enjoying his purchase and admits that he is glad that he didn't back out of the deal.
I am no particular admirer of Shapps, but he does at least have some interest in and connection to aviation. Putting him in the pillory for operating a N registered aircraft seems to be spraying the blame a bit far. It is not exactly late breaking news that civil aviation authorities can make life more difficult than we pilots think it should be. Foreign registration is hardly an unusual response, indeed nearer to home a lot of business jets use the Isle of Man. I don't think that necessarily makes them more dangerous. Small aircraft rather more complex than the ones I did my PPL on forty years ago are classed as ultralights to keep things simpler. The Sala accident has been proven illegal. The court case showed that on just about every level from licensing through supervision, it demonstrated not just poor judgement and bad luck, but also a criminal disregard for the law. Ibbotson did not have an FAA CPL and instrument rating anymore than the appropriate UK qualifications. About the only positive thing is that the publicity and custodial sentence may deter others from going down this path.
Last edited by lederhosen; 18th Nov 2021 at 13:36.
Hopefully Mr. Shapps can use his position to make it as convenient to operate an aircraft and get licensed including IFR under the CAA as it is with the FAA
"Quite ironic to discover that Shapps operates under the FAA system. I recently sent him an angry e mail because I nearly lost the sale of my share in an aircraft."
I raised a question regarding the CAA with my UK M.P. Douglas Ross earlier this year, and very quickly got a satisfactory email response from the Minister of Aviation forwarded to me.
I'm suspicious of the motives for the attacks on Shapps, other than the obvious one that he is accused of trying to prevent airfields being built over, which would affect developers profits.
I share your suspicion of the cause of the sudden media interest in him, but that doesn’t take away from my view that he belongs in HMP rather than HMG for his Ponzi businesses alone.
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Ironically, my airfield received a grant from the Airfield Advisory Fund to investigating building "hangar homes".
So Grant no completely against building houses on airfields!
So Grant no completely against building houses on airfields!
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Perfectly reasonable attitude if you ask me, regardless of who he is.
