In a speech to the European Parliament (8.3.10), the Eastern Counties MEP, Stuart Agnew (UKIP), has strongly urged the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) to “think again” about its plan to abolish the Instrument Meteorological Conditions (IMC) rating, a vital flying safety test that is unique to the UK because of its capricious weather conditions.
 
Mr Agnew said:  "In developing a harmonised European pilots licence, EASA is about to wipe out the IMC rating, leaving many private pilots unable to fly, unless they can guarantee cloudless skies for the entirety of their trip.  This is a bit like guaranteeing that England will win the World Cup, on a penalty shoot out! 
 
“After losing visual perspective, an untrained pilot has about 50 seconds to regain it, before losing control of the aircraft.  Therefore, the abolition of the IMC rating is a serious threat to the safety and the future of private flying.  EASA must think again”.
 
Ends
 
The full text of Mr Agnew’s speech is as follows:

Instrument Meteorological Conditions  Rating  – Stuart Agnew MEP - Strasbourg 8.3.10
 
Mr/Madam President
 
The EU’s harmonise everything policy creates many casualties.  Not least the Instrument Meteorological Conditions (IMC) rating for private pilots in the UK.  This is a vital safety rating that enables holders to fly on instruments in cloud and poor visibility not permitted by the private pilots licence.  It is unique to the UK because of our capricious weather conditions.
 
In developing a harmonised European pilots licence, the European Aviation Safety Agency is about to wipe out the IMC Rating, leaving many private pilots unable to fly, unless they can guarantee cloudless skies for the entirety of their trip.  This is a bit like guaranteeing that England will win the World Cup, on a penalty shoot out.
 
After losing visual perspective, an untrained pilot has about 50 seconds to regain it, before losing control of the aircraft.  Therefore, the abolition of the IMC Rating is a serious threat to the safety and the future of private flying.  The European Aviation Safety Agency must think again.
 
As far as my country is concerned, this is yet another case of ‘if it isn’t bust, don’t fix it’.