DC-3 flights…the end?

http://forum.keypublishing.co.uk/showthread.php?t=78414

I think this is the thread you were looking for.

A typical TCAS installation costs in the region of $170,000 per aircraft so the cost implications are clear!! EU-OPS will also remove the IMC rating from UK skies and therefore reduce safety!! No one said that a common policy had to be sensible or viable!! Remember we voted for it, even if it was before half of us were born!! The CAA is also fighting the IMC corner, although loosing, we can only wish them luck!

This from Tom Everitt on PlaneTalk, for those of us not actually interested in rent-a-rants.

Tom Everitt
All,

I think I can clarify the situation here a little.

On July 15th this year, JAR-OPS will be replaced by EU-OPS. At the same time, the CAA will loose it’s power to grant exemptions to JAR and will be required to “apply” to the EU for any future exemptions from EU-OPS. In doing so, they must be able to prove that “an equivalent level of safety” is present. As a consequence of this, all exemptions from JAR-OPS will cease to be valid on July 15th. I believe any remaining ANO AOC’s will also become void after this date but I am not 100% certain of that.

How does this effect operators of historic aircraft? As an example, Air Atlantique currently hold exemptions from JAR-OPS for the DC-3 for items such as Cockpit Voice recorders, TCAS, Lockable cockpit doors, Emergency Lighting, Emergency exit dimensions and height from exit sill to the ground to name but a few. The problem is probably becoming clear. Without exemptions for these items the DC-3 will not be able to operate public transport flights in their current state. I should stress that these new regulations in no way ground the DC-3, but make it difficult to continue flying passengers until modifications have been made.

It is my understanding that the CAA are working with operators to get some of the items mentioned covered by exemptions under EU-OPS and are fighting the corner of the operators, so I don’t think bashing them is justified in this instance.

EU-OPS has been hurried in ahead of another change to EASA-OPS in a few years time and in truth aircraft such as the DC-3 probably were never on their radar, there being but a handful of people operating them on public transport flights in Europe. It is very much written for the A320/737!

The smaller historic aircraft will also be effected by the introduction of EU-OPS, but not to the same extent as the DC-3. The number of seats the aircraft has is irrelevant in this case.

Hope this makes sense. The world of JAR-OPS/EU-OPS is a mysterious and murky one best left well alone unless absolutely necessary, trust me!

My only concern is that some smaller operators who have an AOC may not be aware of the full impact this change will have and may be caught out by it!

Tom.

http://forum.planetalk.net/viewtopic.php?t=5569

This news item is a perfect exampe that the EU sucks big time.
The EU is a waste of time and money the UK should ditch it right away, if it was put to a vote i would say OUT.

Why the’eck doesn’t the UK stand up and tell them to stuff the EU and get out of it!! Not only for this matter but all that has been robbed,sold,stamped and kicked about and finger waved at.

What absolute ******* ****ing bul****ting pi***ng ******* european CRAP what is wrong with the DAMN EU!!! i mean come on!!!!!!!

(apologies for the profanities, but in my opinion they are a well founded vent of frustration)

Yep, pretty certain they’re gone. 🙁