Asked by: Roger Gale (Conservative - Herne Bay and Sandwich)
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 - Herne Bay and Sandwich)
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 - Herne Bay and Sandwich)
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.
Asked by: Roger Gale (Conservative - Herne Bay and Sandwich)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will take steps to postpone the proposed deadline for the installation of 8.33 KHz-compatible radio equipment in aircraft until the outcome of the negotiations on the UK leaving the EU is known.
Answered by John Hayes
The Government is carefully considering all of the implications arising from the UK’s exit from the EU, including the implications for the regulation of aviation safety. However, until exit negotiations are concluded, the UK remains a full member of the EU and all the rights and obligations of EU membership remain, alongside national rules.