Jim wrote:Who do you think is more competent to ensure that the SVFR flight is complying with the regulations?
Do you seriously believe that Shannon Control seeks permission from the IAA every time an SVFR is required?
If they decided to discontinue SVFR, there would be a lot more than me creating a rumpus! ICAO would recommend abolishing the IAA and we would be back again in the hands of the DoT.
Jim,
I've never suggested that ATC refer to the IAA for SVFR. They don't because they don't have to at present. SVFR is allowed at night under our current rules. That will chance on 4 December unless something is done. I don't expect that Shannon ATC would refer on a case by case basis after SERA comes in either. So either the IAA give a general exemption or we don't get any.
There is only four possibilities here.
1. The IAA allow VFR at night and don't continue with their current stand
2. The IAA opt for the 2 year derogation for SERA and we simply get 2 more years before this changes
3. the IAA give a general exemption allowing SVFR at night and we continue on as before
4. the IAA opt not to allow VFR at night and don't do anything else in which case we can no longer fly at night without an IR.
Your last two posts are somewhat bizzare. ATC is not the "competent authority" as defined in the regulation.
As a fully paid up AOPA-Ireland member, I had thought that in bringing the issue polietly to your attention that you would make representations to the IAA to ensure that they do one of options 1 2 or 3 above and not option 4.
To be frank, I'd have thought that options 2 and 3 would be pushing against an open door, and there would be no problem in getting them to do so, provided they were aware of the potential problem.
Unfortunately I bizzarly find myself trying to explain to you that the rules as drafted which come into effect in 2 months time ban SVFR an night and that Shannon ATC isn't the Competent Authority as defined under this leglisation, and am left with not faith that you understand the issue involved.
I will go and make my own representations on this issue directly to the IAA, as disappointingly, I'm left with little confidence that you are in a position to do so on my behalf.
I really had hoped for better from AOPA but fear that your last two posts will put other people off joining. It's only through numbers that AOPA Ireland can become a powerfull organisation, and I hope those postings don't put people off.
P