G-info
 

I complained to the CAA the other day about the G-INFO database on the net. My complaint is that anybody can go on the net type in my registration or my name and get my home address. I am not happy about this at all. The CAA's answer was that I should get a PO Box address or get my mail sent elsewhere! I asked them where they stood in relation to the Data Protection Act and they told me that the ANO superseded it. I don't mind people finding my name or aircraft registration, but I strongly object to people needing to know my home address. Who needs to know this information anyway?

My reason for this post is to guage other aircraft owners opinions on this issue.

Regards,

Jucky

The reason for needing an address is so that airports can charge you landing fees if someone in your plane goes into an airport and runs off without paying landing fees/parking fees etc.

There are probably many other reasons thats the way i say it

Surely G-INFO should be restricted to people who need to see it. Such as aircraft owners/operators or airfield operators. The site should should register the details of the people wanting this information, and also charge people for the privilege of using it. Why should any Tom, Dick or Harry have access to this information?

When we take SAR action or are trying to locate a lost aircraft, or perhaps inform someone that there has been an air accident, we often use this information to find out more detail, or hopefully maybe establish that all is well and the pilot has landed somewhere safely.

And we should have to pay for this information ??? :hmm:

I can find reference in the ANO to the register being maintained, but nothing related to the right making it available to any person to inspect. However the application form to register an aircraft states :

I don't know how this fits in with the Data Protection Act, but it does seem a little strange that the public can go online and get the address of the owner of an aircraft, when a similar tool does not exist for someone interested in knowing the owner of a car.

Agree with the above post though and think that the info should be available quickly and easily to those who need it such as ATSUs and airfield operators.

The authorities who would be iniating SAR action would be able to get that sort of information without having to go on G-INFO.

Basically the people who need to see it should be registered to use it. Anybodyelse who wants to see it should pay for it and have their details registered with the CAA.

How do you know who is looking up your details? Does this not cause concern?

There is only one source of that information. G-INFO (provided by the CAA). You ever tried to get hold of someone at the CAA to provide you with data at 3am ??

I wouldn't have a problem with basic data only being publicly available (e.g. without contact details), however there are a wide range of people and companies who do need full access on an H24 basis.

What difference would paying make ?? The information is already paid for by everyone in aviation or indeed members of the public at large who contribute to the CAA in any way shape or form. If the service raised funds would you expect CAA charges to drop accordingly ?? I wouldn't hold my breath :)

What did they do before G-INFO if they needed this information at 3am in a SAR situation? Do you honestly belive the police will be looking up G-INFO on the internet to get this information? I don't think so!
I know these details have been available in books long before G-INFO came along, but it just seem too easy to access this personal information. After all you have to register to get a person's details from their vehicle registrations, why should it be any different for an aircraft?

I deal with such incidents Jucky. I'll leave it at that since you don't want to listen.

I have valid security reasons for being opposed to unresitricted access of G-INFO.
I have no problem with those who need to know getting my details, but why does everybodyelse need to know my home address? I have spent years keeping my address out of the public domain, and now with a couple of clicks you can find it.

I find it incredibly useful for finding out who's been hot dogging overhead your house (in an AIAA) below 200'. Or who has been circling overhead incessantly on a sunny Sunday afternoon, taking photographs which they then come and knock on your door and try to sell you (usually on a sunny Sunday afternoon).
If the aforementioned scenarios do not apply to you then you have no need to worry about the consequences.

Jucky:What would be an example of a valid security reason? I am struggling to magine how my security would be threatened by publication of my address? Privacy is another thing, but you say security?

Andy

I'm not prepared to explain why it has security implications. Unless you are, or have been in my situation you won't be able to understand the security threat that this poses.

Jucky

To do that they'd have to know your aircraft reg. If they know that they could just as easily mount a surveillance or covertly follow you home. Of course they could just type your surname into the owner field and see what pops up but if they are that determined they could just as easily pop in and have a look at the electoral roll or glean the information from any number of other sources which we won't discuss here. Suffice it to say that G-INFO is only one of a myriad of places where a determined person could find your address from.

Edited at Jucky's request

In Liverpool they watch your plane through a powerfull pair of binoculars flying overhead. Note the reg, go to the public library computer and get your address, go round and rob your house..... ;)

For whatever it may be worth, unrestricted on-line access to aircraft registation information, including owners' names and addresses, is also the norm in Canada and the USA.

Hardly a compelling argument (tantamount to "just trust me on this").

Yes; very true.

I think this is a valid comment. My law office has on-line access to vehicle registration / driver license information, but our usage is subject to a written code of conduct (which we all had to sign), and spot audits.

I'm not sure that this is much of a justification for public access. If you believe that someone is violating the regulations in a non-trivial manner, I'd suggest that the appropriate thing to do is lodge a complaint with the CAA, not call up the aircraft's owner directly.

A more benign use of the public database is to help you find people who own aircraft of a type that you're interested in purchasing. If you approach such people in a respectful manner, quite often they are very happy to discuss their ownership experience, show you their airplane, and take you for a familiarization flight.

Secret squirrel eh!

Prior to G-INFO the aircraft data used to be published in a large volume called Bureau Veritas (probably still is). Most airports had these and although Joe Public could buy them the price would have put most off.

The data has always been publically available. All G-INFO has done is make it much easier to access..

I'll admit that I would have preferred to see G-INFO at least a subscribed service like the AIP..

jb

If the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority restricts access to the identity of individual Vehicle Index Numbers to those who have a legitimate need, why does this not equally apply to aircraft registrations?

Why one rule for a/c and another for cars?

I think the CAA should at least maintain a separate "bulk mailing" address for the stuff they send out e.g., GASIL. I did ask and they said they can't.

It is easy enough to give them an address which affords the aircraft owner some privacy, but the single-address limitation means whatever address one gives them will have to pass on all the stuff.

Occassionally one receives (to the same single address) an invoice from some far away airport for some landing or parking fee which they allege (almost certainly incorrectly) was unpaid during a visit a year ago....