British Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association

Open letter from the BHPA Chairman

Hang gliding and paragliding is once again under serious threat. Eurocontrol, the "European Organisation for the Safety of Air Navigation" has produced for consultation its draft version of its proposed Standardised European Rules of the Air (SERA).

Whilst the aim of having one single set of Rules of the Air that applies right across Europe may seem attractive, unfortunately whoever has written the draft has clearly not given a single thought to hang gliders and paragliders. Some of the proposed rules will have a massive detrimental impact on our ability to go and fly. (E.g. 4.6 bans flight below 500 feet – so ridge soaring will be effectively outlawed!)

Unfortunately, the consultation period is very short, hence this email direct to each member. The BHPA will submit a response and the EHPU is also submitting a response both directly and through Europe Airsports. But we feel that Eurocontrol should also get a feel for the strength of our feelings on this matter – and therefore ask each of you to make your own response to Eurocontrol.

Depending upon the outcome of this consultation, we always have the alternatives of going down the political (MEP etc.) route. But at this stage we just want members to complete and return consultation response sheets.

ACTIONS:

1. Download a copy of each of the four consultation documents at:
   www.eurocontrol.int/enprm/public/standard_page/enprm10002.html
   NB. This is no longer available on-line.
2. Refer to BHPA Comments on SERA Draft - V 1.0.
3. Choose some of the points outlined and, in your own words, complete the "Consultation Response Sheet – Enclosure 3" that you downloaded. Ideally you should express dissatisfaction with the SERA proposals along the lines of "the current safe, entirely legal activity would be made illegal by this change". (The BHPA response will suggest alternate wordings – and it may be counter-productive if you try to create "in your own words" alternatives to our proposals.)
4. Send your completed comments to Eurocontrol before the closing date of 12th April 2010:
   Mr Olivier MROWICKI
   SES Mandate Manager SERA
   EUROCONTROL
   Rue de la Fusée, 96
   B-1130 Brussels, Belgium
   sesframework@eurocontrol.int or Fax to +322 729 5190

Issued by
Martin Heywood
BHPA Chairman