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RAeS Meeting 1st Sept 2010

jane — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 08:59:55 +0000

I recently attended a meeting set up by the RAeS which was attended by many from all areas of the aviation industry. There were presentations given by Oxford Aviation Training, Flybe and Fairplane. Discussion followed during which it became apparent that the general feeling was that there was a real problem for access to the profession on a financial level. The RAeS requested that a small focus group be formed to look at answers to this problem and the airlines were urged to get involved. I am pleased to say that Fairplane were invited to join this group so hopefully discussion will soon commence and a plan of action will form. Will keep you posted.

Stop Pay to Fly

jane — Wed, 04 Aug 2010 09:19:59 +0000

This comment just came in:

I would be interested to see if fair plane, with their connection to BALPA and Govt, will be attempting to seek an end to the Pay to FLy schemes (such as those run by Eaglejet and their ilk).
Given the recent media attention on interns not being paid minimum wage, now would be a good time to seek an end to this despicable practice.

Whilst I do agree with your comments I cannot, unfortunately, take on every wrong practice within the aviation industry, however much I would like to. I began Fairplane singlehandedly following my personal experience. To dilute my efforts to date by taking on every aviation cause would not be beneficial to the original aim of the campaign. This does not mean to say that I do not have strong feelings about any situation that takes advantage of those wishing to achieve their dreams, and should someone wish to begin a campaign about this particular issue I would whole heartedly support it. Incidentally can I point out that to say our “connection” to the government can be misleading as it sounds as though we are “in” with them. This is not the case and we continually work towards another meeting with them to get them to listen to us. It took eight months to get our last meeting with the previous government and we now begin again with the new one.

FL500 have success with student cards

jane — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 14:41:29 +0000

Flight Level 500 who have been busy working away to get some form of student recognition for student pilots have recently told me the following. The members club dedicated to the promotion of the piloting profession and equality for student pilots have just made two groundbreaking announcements!

Teaming up with NUS Extra, the renowned “student card” now means all FL500.com members receive the card entitling them to discounts in hundreds of high street shops as well as web based stores. Discounts for student pilots at last!

Also Will Swinburn and his team are entering into a partnership with Connexions to deliver evening seminars to students interested in flying, fully educating them on a career as a pilot. 1st seminar will be in Oxford City with every student from year 11 to University in Oxfordshire welcome to attend. To find out more visit their site via the link on our partners page

Flybe Support

jane — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 16:57:16 +0000

I am thrilled to report that Flybe.com have become very involved with the campaign and lend it their full support. I have already met with them to discuss the way forward and these discussions are ongoing. I have also today met again with David Laws MP, Brian Watt from Flybe came with me, and we are now putting together a summary of our proposals to put to the new government.

If any of you are from the constituency of David Willetts then would you be able to write to him to try and enlist his support as I think he will be a key figure in our future discussions with the government. if you need any help please do contact me via the website.

BALPA article: Taxing Time (for student pilots)

jane — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 12:42:59 +0000

Why cadets are getting an unfair deal with their training costs.

Click here to read ‘Taxing Times, an article by Charlotte Ricca-Smith that appears in the June/July issue of The Log (the magazine of BALPA – the Pilots and Flight Engineers trade union).

With student debt among pilots at an all-time high, isn’t it time the Government stepped in to ease the strain?

Flyer Exhibition April 2010

jane — Tue, 11 May 2010 10:16:51 +0000

Just a quick update for you all. The Flyer Exhibition was a great success with Fairplane getting good support and comments from both visitors and other exhibitors alike. Attached is a photo of the Fairplane stand. I would like to take this opportunity to thank both Ollie Desforges and Caroline Warneck who kindly gave up their time to help me, their assistance was invaluable as we were so busy. Thanks guys.

Following the recent election we will now be setting up a strategy meeting which I will update you on when I know more myself. I am pleased to say I have received an email today pledging Lembit Opik’s continued support despite his recent bad luck.

My personal reason for starting this campaign

jane — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 17:55:14 +0000

I would just like to clear up a misconception that has been brought to my attention. This campaign came about following my experiences with finding funding to assist my son when he was offered a place at a flight training school. We are not a wealthy family but I have no regrets about taking a second mortgage, it was entirely my choice and I am not complaining about that. It did however make me realise that we were fortunate enough to have enough equity in our property to do that – what about potential student pilots from less fortunate families or even families that did not own their own property. It seemed hugely unfair that because of this they would be discriminated against on fiscal grounds and it is for this reason, and this reason alone, that I began the campaign. There is no gain in this campaign for myself or members of my family and I am making no complaint about our situation. My issue is with the unfairness of the current system. I believe that all students should be able to access funding or loans that enable them to follow their chosen path, provided of course they meet the criteria and aptitude required for that profession. I cannot campaign on behalf of all students and have chosen pilots for obvious reasons. I have witnessed first hand how hard it is to even get on a course let alone pass it. We constantly hear Ministers talk about social mobility – let’s see it put into action. I accept that not everyone will agree with my campaign (it would be unrealistic to believe they would), I have no problem with this but would point out that if you sign the “support us” page you are registering your support. You can, however, place any comments also on this blog page and there is a fair plane forum set up on facebook as well.

Update and Exhibition

jane — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 16:15:17 +0000

Following consultation it is looking like if we follow what was originally suggested as a way forward by the Government the amount of money we may be able get them to consider as a student loan is only going to be about £4,000. A mere drop in the ocean against training fees of £60,000 plus and i cannot see how this will help students from poorer backgrounds. I am aware of a loan system that is in place for businesses whereby the government in effect guarantee the loan therefore eliminating the need to find security. I have written to the Minister enquiring whether this could be made available to student pilots or if a similar scheme could be set up for them. Of course the banks involved would want some assurance that anyone they lend the money to is likely to pass and get employment so I have suggested that they make it a condition that applicants for the loan have to pass an aptitude test such as the one done at Cranwell. A slight change in tack I realise but I think it is important that the pilot training is open to all.

Fairplane will be present at the next Flyer Exhibition on the 24th April at the Soffitel Hotel at Heathrow so please do come along and see us.

General update

jane — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 13:52:54 +0000

Just a quick general update following our last meeting in Westminster. The committe that has formed consists of Caroline Evans (BALPA), Jeremy Diack (FTN), David Laws MP, Lembit Opik MP, Charles Henry (Cabair), Paul Cooper (Oxford Aviation), Will Bruton (works for Lembit Opik) and Jane Desforges (Fairplane). We discussed a great deal concerning the VAT situation as well as the qualification side of things. It was generally felt we should be going for zero rated VAT and should not be setting any limit on the amount required for student loans. We are now in the process of putting together some stats and reports before we go back to the Government. It is felt that it is now more important than ever to drum up as much support as possible both from within the industry and also from the general public. I will be attending the next Flyer exhibition and we are looking at other ways to assist with the support. If you could keep getting people to sign the “support us” page of this web that would be fantastic. As an aside we now have a logo for the campaign and I am attaching it here for you to see.

Support from Lembit

admin — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 12:25:42 +0000

Having spent some time with Lembit Opik MP I am pleased to say he is supporting the campaign and will be present at our next meeting on the 12th January 2010 when we hope to put together something regarding the VAT situation to the Treasury as well as look at options to move things forward following our meeting with David Lammy.