Aims To Also Represent Vintage Planes And Warbirds

Aero-News has learned the European Federation of Light, Experimental and Vintage Aircraft was recently formed to promote, support and to represent the interests of its member associations at the European level, in respect of all relevant regulatory matters.

Representatives with EFELVA state the group was formed at Vichy in July, with the first meeting held in Prague on October 20-21, 2007. The first meeting witnessed the election of  officers, and several statutes were approved.

Associations from 11 EU countries have joined the Federation with the interests of UK-based aircraft and their operators being looked after by the PFA (soon to be renamed and re-branded the Light Aircraft Association) and the Historic Aircraft Association.

The reason for a pan-European approach, according to group representatives, is that access to EASA, Eurocontrol, ECAC, the European Commission and the EU Parliament is only possible with the aid of Europe Air Sports -- and they will not deal with national organizations, only those with a pan-European membership.

The aim of EFLEVA is to be able to communicate the needs and fears of the owners, operators, restorers and flyers of home-built, experimental and vintage aircraft in an effective and direct manner.

A meeting was held in Oxford on Sunday, October 28, where representatives of various vintage aircraft type groups gathered to discuss the ways of ensuring that all vintage aircraft can have a voice in Europe.

Those already operating on PFA/LAA permits will be represented by the PFA/LAA -- but they do not cover aircraft on CAA permits or heavier metal, such as warbirds and vintage jets. Some operators of these are members of the Historic Aircraft Association but others are not, at present, represented and the meeting discussed various ways this could be addressed.

Roger Hopkinson of the PFA, Barry Tempest of the Historic Aircraft Association and John Broad of the Vintage Aircraft Club and the PFA gave presentations on the role and future of EFLEVA. They believe the group is the only viable way of representing UK-based vintage aircraft in Europe, and suggested that all operators should be joining one of the organizations that has currently has a seat on the council.

Other recent presentations on the existence of EFLEVA and its implications for all in the UK involved with vintage, historic and heritage aviation along with those involved in airshows have been made. These by the HAA to groups at Cambridge, Cranfield and Cosford at events organized by the DeHMC, the ADA(E) and the HAA.

Efforts are currently being made to arrange in the near future a gathering of the heavy metal and “warbird” fraternity along with those involved with air display participation to enable them to be aware of the situation and to take steps they deem appropriate.

There has already been much speculation and discussion over matters such as the use of Mode S transponders, airspace and licensing along with operational matters and EFLEVA will be taking the fight to Brussels and Cologne.

FMI: www.efleva.org, www.haa-uk.aero/index.php