European Union petition for international levy on Jet A1 fuel
The European Union (EU) lobbying for an international tax on Jet A1 fuel in a move to finance climate action via levies on polluting industries. According to Wopke Hoekstra, EU’s climate commissioner, China, Zambia, Brazil and the Gulf nations are among those that have expressed interest in such a tax in talks leading up to the UN’s COP28 climate summit in Dubai. Unlike other fuels, Jet A1 (kerosene) is exempt from tax throughout the...
Upgrade your preflight inspection
The Aircraft Owners & Pilots Association (AOPA) resident airframe and powerplant (A&P) mechanic Carlo Cilliers shares some tips to help improve your aircraft pre flight inspection. The mechanic highlights some simple checks that can be added to any pre flight inspection that are ideal for aircraft owners and pilots of rental aircraft...
EC rebate scheme reminder
A Skywise notice from the UK Civil Aviation Authority reminds pilots that the Department for Transport Electronic Conspicuity (EC) Rebate Scheme is due to close on 31 March 2024. The scheme aims to improve airspace safety by encouraging the adoption of EC (see and avoid) devices that enhance situational awareness for pilots. Eligible applicants still have an opportunity to claim a 50% rebate on the purchase cost of an EC device, up to...
Tayside Aviation administration update after collapse
The administrators appointed to Tayside Aviation after its collapse in April have now published a progress report detailing their work on the recovery and sale of Tayside’s assets and the dispersal of funds to the company’s creditors. While indications are that secured creditors will get some if not all their money back, the news for unsecured creditors, which include those customers who had paid upfront for pilot training programmes,...
Industry’s most profitable booking service?
The UK CAA has released a consultation on its proposed Scheme of Charges for its 2024/2025 fiscal year, which if enacted as per current proposals will see the UK Instrument Rating (IR) flight test fee rise to its highest level ever, breaking the £1000 mark for the first time. The proposals, which are open to public consultation until 15 January 2024, start with a blanket price increase of 5.3% on all charges (except spaceflight...
