[ls8pilot]

You may have seen this already, but just in case here is an update from the LGS team on the Judical Review:


The judicial review hearing into the challenge against the CAA's decision to grant airspace to Farnborough Aerodrome concluded today. This was an important milestone in the efforts by Lasham Gliding Society, with the support of the wider general aviation community, to have the CAA's decision overturned in light of what Lasham Gliding Society considers to be a number of substantial flaws and failings in the way in which the CAA considered Farnborough's application and took its decision. As is usual in a case of this nature, the Judge, The Hon. Mrs Justice Thornton, reserved her judgment. We expect that she will make her judgment at some point in the near future. In the meantime, we take comfort from the fact that our lawyers presented a very strong case for the CAA's decision to be overturned and await Mrs.Justice Thornton's decision.

[Skylaunch2]

It’s the big day tomorrow...
COURT 67
Before MRS JUSTICE THORNTON DBE
Wednesday 31 July, 2019
At 11 o'clock
FOR JUDGMENT
HAND DOWN
CO/3994/2018 The Queen on the application of Lasham Gliding Society Limited v Civil Aviation Authority

[Talkdownman]

According to the Chairman of the Lasham Gliding Society, Mrs Justice Thornton did not find sufficient grounds to overturn the CAA’s decision.

[defcribed]

Oh well.

When does the airspace become effective? How long until we all reap the enormous safety benefits of Farnborough being able to 'exclude extraneous aircraft' from the area?

[ls8pilot]

Press Release from Lasham below. Unless they decide to appeal then it appears this airspace will be implemented next year.

Press release from Lasham:

Mrs. Justice Thornton has delivered her judgement on the CAA's
grant of airspace to TAG Farnborough following the Judicial Review
actioned by Lasham Gliding Society.

In summary, Mrs. Justice Thornton did not find sufficient grounds to
overturn the CAA's airspace decision in light of the arguments
presented by Lasham - and roundly supported by the wider general
aviation community - as to its adverse impact on aviation safety, the
consequential inefficient use of airspace, and the potential
detrimental operational and financial impacts on Lasham Gliding
Society. Accordingly, Mrs. Justice Thornton has concluded that the
CAA acted within its powers and the limits of its discretion. As things
stand, it is expected that the new Farnborough airspace will come
into effect by early 2020 and impact significantly on all aviation
activity in central southern England.

Lasham, supported by its advisors, is reviewing the detail of the
judgement carefully. It will decide shortly as to whether or not it
intends to seek leave to appeal.

This ruling is a bitter blow to both Lasham and the wider general
aviation community. It follows several years of intense opposition to
what is widely considered to be a completely unjustified and ill-
considered move by TAG Farnborough to secure a large swathe of
controlled airspace.

The difficulties this case raises continues to draw a spotlight on
questions surrounding the CAA's policies and decision making
processes. Aside from this particular case there is a wider and active
national debate between the government and aviation stakeholders
as to how the CAA's processes currently operate. Whatever might
happen with airspace in the Farnborough area as a result of this
decision, pressure must continue to be applied on the government,
the DfT and the CAA to implement a proper reform of the CAA's
processes used to consider applications for airspace change.

[Talkdownman]

Oh well

Yes, 'oh well'. There should be a few spare squawks going...can't imagine that there will be any need for Farnborough LARS. I wonder if Farnborough Radar will have the temerity to request any 'pilot/controller agreements' outside its CAS...

[defcribed]

Oh well

Yes, 'oh well'. There should be a few spare squawks going...can't imagine that there will be any need for Farnborough LARS. I wonder if Farnborough Radar will have the temerity to request any 'pilot/controller agreements' outside its CAS...

Agree - I imagine they will quietly withdraw from LARS once they have it up and running.

[oakworth]

Important to keep a sense of perspective over this. Whilst Farnborough was approved, the CAA have refused Exeter, Edinburgh and Leeds in the last 12 months. They've also bounced a number of ACP's onto the new process, which should lead to greater engagement and scrutiny than previously. All in all, the picture isn't desperate.

[Talkdownman]

All in all, the picture isn't desperate

I disagree. TAG Farnborough CAS will create dangerous choke points for itinerant GA traffic, and there is the distinct possibility that aviation businesses operating from satellite aerodromes could be compromised.

[oakworth]

Understood, my point was more strategic than the specifics of the Farnborough decision.

[Talkdownman]

Understood, my point was more strategic than the specifics of the Farnborough decision.

This thread IS ABOUT the Farnborough decision!

https://www.caa.co.uk/News/Controlled-a ... AYVqzPm-CY

[Dominie]

Press release from Lasham:
<snip>
The difficulties this case raises continues to draw a spotlight on
questions surrounding the CAA's policies and decision making
processes. Aside from this particular case there is a wider and active
national debate between the government and aviation stakeholders
as to how the CAA's processes currently operate. Whatever might
happen with airspace in the Farnborough area as a result of this
decision, pressure must continue to be applied on the government,
the DfT and the CAA to implement a proper reform of the CAA's
processes used to consider applications for airspace change.

There really has got to be a process whereby airspace can be freed up, by changing the area, height or category. As I understand it, there isn't one at present and someone (was it Norwich?) was able to enlarge their airspace based on traffic predictions which didn't happen.

[defcribed]

Important to keep a sense of perspective over this. Whilst Farnborough was approved, the CAA have refused Exeter, Edinburgh and Leeds in the last 12 months. They've also bounced a number of ACP's onto the new process, which should lead to greater engagement and scrutiny than previously. All in all, the picture isn't desperate.

I don't think the situation that has led to Farnborough being approved is due to a want of engagement or scrutiny. We all sodding well engaged, and the CAA, well, scrutinsed it. They just made a poor decision because they believed some spurious arguments and ignored the obvious but largely unspoken motives.

The problem wasn't the process. The problem was Farnborough claiming it was about safety and the CAA believing them. Everyone who's being honest with themselves, other than the permanently hard-of-thinking, knows that it is really about benefiting Farnborough's business.

There's a fashion these days to think that every problem is a problem with process. It could just be that people in certain roles are biased, have an agenda, are easily led, have poor critical reasoning skills, or sometimes just aren't very bright.

[oakworth]

Understood, my point was more strategic than the specifics of the Farnborough decision.

This thread IS ABOUT the Farnborough decision!

https://www.caa.co.uk/News/Controlled-a ... AYVqzPm-CY

Actually it's about the Judicial Review, which I would suggest has applicability beyond Farnborough. However, don't let me get in the way of your Chicken Licken impression

[Paul_Sengupta]

But the sky *is* falling. The ceiling of the sky they can use, anyway.