Dear Shareholder,
11 February, 2016
EPA Licence Update and Agreed Conditions
I am pleased to report that Aldinga Aviation has been able to conclude the appeal against the EPA Licence conditions and a Court Order has been issued detailing the revised conditions that will apply with effect from the date of our new Licence.
The Court did not accept the argument that the Recreational Aviation Australia flights from Aldinga airfield were not ‘commercial’ since the majority of these flights were operated by a business rather than personally or by a not for profit operation. This is unfortunate since it would have avoided the need for an EPA Licence.
Following this decision, the EPA became flexible on the proposed conditions and the Board have been able to substantially change and modify the original proposed conditions. These revisions have removed the annual cost burden of monitoring flights and the conditions mostly reflect our current operations at the airfield. The following is a short list of the Licence Conditions that have been agreed;
- Monitoring – The requirement to monitor all aircraft movements by time, aircraft type, and operational activity has been removed by the EPA from the Licence requirements
- Curfew – The airfield can commence operations from 06.00 local time in the summer months and 07.00 hours in the winter months with the change being determined by Daylight Saving
– Flight movements can continue until 21.00 hours local time daily with landings only permitted up until 22.00 hours local time.
- Circuit Flights – These may only commence from 08.00 Monday to Saturday and 09.00 on a Sunday.
– Circuits must not continue after 20.00 hours’ local time on any day
– Circuits are prohibited on Public Holidays with the exception of the March Public Holiday, the Queen’s Birthday/Volunteers’ Day, and Labour Day.
These restrictions apply to all users of the airfield. It is stressed that this does not restrict a pilot making a command decision to execute a go around procedure nor does it prevent the normal circuit joining procedures when returning to the airfield.
- Licence Term -The EPA has agreed to a 2-year term for the initial Licence
- Compliance – There are a number of administrative requirements mostly regarding notifying and agreeing any substantive changes at the airfield.
It is important that the above Conditions are observed and significant penalties can apply in the event of any breaches. The Board look forward to a harmonious relationship with the EPA who have reiterated that it is not their intention to prevent the company from enjoying and making its facilities available to the aviation community. However, in the event that there are any breaches the Board will look to recover the costs from the respective offender.
The total costs of this appeal have been significant, and, whilst the final amount is not yet known, recovery is already underway from our commercial operators in line with the process advised to shareholders at the last AGM.
If you have any concerns with the detail of the arrangements, please contact any Board Director who will be pleased to clarify, or obtain clarification, of your query.
David Lucas
Chairman
Aldinga Aviation Pty Ltd
Aldinga Airfield Operating Conditions
With immediate effect the following operating conditions will apply to Aldinga Airfield:
Curfew
– The airfield can commence flying operations from 06.00 local time in the summer months and 07.00 hours in the winter months with the change being determined by South Australia Daylight Saving.
– Flight movements can continue until 21.00 hours’ local time daily with landings only permitted up until 22.00 hours’ local time
Circuit Flights
– These may only commence from 08.00 Monday to Saturday and 09.00 on a Sunday.
– Circuits must not continue after 20.00 hours’ local time on any day
– Circuits are prohibited on Public Holidays with the exception of the March Public Holiday, the Queen’s Birthday/Volunteers’ Day, and Labour Day.
Circuit Procedures
– Right Hand circuits apply when operating on Runways 18, 21 or 26. The Preferred runway in nil wind conditions is 03/21.
These conditions apply to all users of the airfield and are conditions of our EPA Licence and Fly Neighbourly Policy. Penalties incurred will be recovered from any offenders. It is stressed that this does not restrict a pilot making a command decision to execute a go around procedure, nor does it prevent the normal circuit joining procedures when returning to the airfield.
David Lucas
Chairman
Aldinga Aviation Pty Ltd
12 February 2016
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