Asked by: Roger Gale (Conservative - North Thanet)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps his Department is taking to promote the use of electronic conspicuity devices in general aviation.
Answered by Jesse Norman
The Government’s assessment of the effect of electronic conspicuity on the safety of General Aviation, and the steps it plans to take, are set out in Aviation 2050 The future of UK aviation (Command Paper 9714). The Government state that “The development of emerging technologies such as electronic conspicuity devices… can be exploited to ensure that an acceptable level of safety is maintained” and propose that “there should be mandatory identification of all aircraft in UK airspace” and that it “will work with the CAA and other stakeholders (including international partners) on the best way to achieve this.” The Government is consulting on this document until 11 April 2019.
Asked by: Roger Gale (Conservative - North Thanet)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment his Department has made of the effect of electronic conspicuity devices on safety in general aviation.
Answered by Jesse Norman
The Government’s assessment of the effect of electronic conspicuity on the safety of General Aviation, and the steps it plans to take, are set out in Aviation 2050 The future of UK aviation (Command Paper 9714). The Government state that “The development of emerging technologies such as electronic conspicuity devices… can be exploited to ensure that an acceptable level of safety is maintained” and propose that “there should be mandatory identification of all aircraft in UK airspace” and that it “will work with the CAA and other stakeholders (including international partners) on the best way to achieve this.” The Government is consulting on this document until 11 April 2019.
Asked by: Roger Gale (Conservative - North Thanet)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether the Secretary of State for Defence was consulted on the use of Manston Airport as part of the planning process under the Town and Country Planning (Operation Stack) Special Development Order 2015 and its subsequent amendments in 2016 and 2017; and what assessment he has made of the potential effect of the use of Manston Airport as a lorry park on its high resolution direction finding facility.
Answered by Jesse Norman
An operational protocol has been established between all relevant organisations in the event there is a requirement to utilise Manston Airport as a lorry holding area. This includes a protocol for the high resolution direction finding facility located on the site.
Asked by: Roger Gale (Conservative - North Thanet)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what estimate he has made of the amount of historic public investment in aerodromes in years for which information is available.
Answered by Jesse Norman
The majority of airfields in the UK are privately run and owned. Like other business enterprises, potential investors and owners of new aerodromes can benefit from a range of measures that the Government has set in place to support businesses and promote growth, as well as support from regional and local government. Information on the amount of historic public investment in aerodromes is not held centrally.
Asked by: Roger Gale (Conservative - North Thanet)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what support his Department plans to make available for the provision of new aerodromes.
Answered by Jesse Norman
The majority of airfields in the UK are privately run and owned. Like other business enterprises, potential investors and owners of new aerodromes can benefit from a range of measures that the Government has set in place to support businesses and promote growth, as well as support from regional and local government. Information on the amount of historic public investment in aerodromes is not held centrally.
Asked by: Roger Gale (Conservative - North Thanet)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment he has made of the validity of the UK driving licence in the EU after the UK has left the EU.
Answered by Jesse Norman
Under existing international treaties UK motorists will still be able to drive in EU member states with a UK driving licence after we leave the EU. Some countries may require an additional document, but the Government is seeking an agreement to avoid this. Such an agreement is in the interests of both sides.
Asked by: Roger Gale (Conservative - North Thanet)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will make an assessment of the costs to flying schools of complying with the UK's current EU targets for 8.33kHz radio adoption.
Answered by John Hayes
The Government has not done so. Among other things the costs will depend on the equipment used by a flying school and the programmed replacement of that equipment.
Asked by: Roger Gale (Conservative - North Thanet)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will make representations to Naric to recognise airline transport pilots' licence ground schooling as a formal accredited qualification.
Answered by John Hayes
In the 2015 General Aviation Strategy the Government made a commitment to promote apprenticeships and other GA training initiatives in England and we discuss training regularly with the General and Business Aviation Strategic Forum, most recently in January 2017.
We have taken steps to ensure that approved qualifications for the purposes of Tier 4 visas include aviation licences, ratings and certificates issued in accordance with EU legislation by the UK's Civil Aviation Authority.
Employers have already developed new apprenticeships standards in aviation which include Airside Ground Specialist and Aviation Operations Manager with the Commercial Airline Pilot standard currently in development.
Asked by: Roger Gale (Conservative - North Thanet)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of introducing a new type of professional pilot apprenticeship to incentivise those undertaking airline pilots' licence courses.
Answered by John Hayes
In the 2015 General Aviation Strategy the Government made a commitment to promote apprenticeships in England and other GA training initiatives. We regularly review progress when we meet the General and Business Aviation Strategic Forum, most recently in January 2017.
Employers are designing new high quality apprenticeship standards that address the specific skills requirements of their sectors. An apprenticeship standard describes the skills, knowledge and behaviors an apprentice needs, to be competent in a defined occupation.
Asked by: Roger Gale (Conservative - North Thanet)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of re-designating formal (a) aerodrome traffic and (b) military air traffic zones handling below 10,000 commercial air traffic movements per year in order to allow more general aviation access.
Answered by John Hayes
Aerodrome and military air traffic zones provide a degree of protection to aircraft in the immediate vicinity of the aerodrome and form an important part of the structure of UK airspace. The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has a duty to classify UK airspace and to keep such classification under review, under the Directions given by Government. In exercising this air navigation function the CAA must also reasonably apply a number of provisions, including to secure the most efficient use of airspace and to satisfy the requirements of operators and owners of all classes of aircraft.