Manston: case study in conflict
Flying politician Lembit Öpik reviews the on-going dispute over the future of Manston Airport in South East England and outlines the strategic imperative for politicians to protect this vital resource. It is hard to believe that the Government has been so slow at approving the third runway at Heathrow. Everybody who looks at the situation knows that, with aviation likely to expand at, say, 5% per annum, BOTH Heathrow and Gatwick will...
EASA grants first type certification for electric trainer
During June, the European Union Aviation Safety Agency announced the certification of an electric airplane, the Pipistrel Velis Electro, the first type certification worldwide of a fully electric aircraft, which the Agency claims is an important milestone in the quest for environmentally sustainable aviation. “This is an exciting breakthrough,” said EASA Executive Director Patrick Ky. “This is the first electric aircraft EASA has...
Courting a battle over airspace
After years of increasing tension between General Aviation pilots and organisations on one hand, and airfields and airports seeking increased controlled airspace on the other, the signs are that disagreements over new airspace proposals, and even the continuation of some existing controlled airspace, may be headed to court. This simmering discontent is being bought to a head by one airport’s refusal to amend its controlled airspace,...
Prince’s Trust Cadets Complete Scholarship Initiative with L3Harris Technologies
The first three young people to take part in The Prince’s Trust flying scholarship have completed their training with L3Harris Technologies. The flying scholarship initiative, created by L3Harris and The Prince’s Trust as part of the RAF 100 Legacy, aims to increase diversity within the aviation industry and help more people to achieve their dream of becoming a pilot. The first students, all from Northern Ireland, undertook...
2020 aviation events calendar takes a battering
With social-distancing measures making public events an impossibility at the moment, many aviation shows, events and exhibitions have been forced to cancel. Some, however, have been suspended rather than written-off and so may yet take place at a later date this year. Here’s a round-up of what the current aviation events calendar looks like. The big shows Farnborough International Airshow – cancelled The largest...
