FairPlane

Here’s an update for you all following our meeting with the Minister for Skills and Innovation, David Lammy. Attending the meeting were myself, David Laws MP, Captain Alan Cooper (BALPA) and Paul Cooper (Oxford Aviation). We were allowed approximately half an hour and following the introductions I set out what our campaign was about and why I felt the current situation to be unfair to student pilots. Alan Cooper and Paul Cooper gave valuable insight regarding the VAT situation and how pilots are currently funded. I have to say that both the Misters Cooper and David Laws were very supportive and their input was invaluable.

The Minister talked much about other professions and how they compare to the Aviation industry and his main point seemed to be that the flight training schools were commercial as opposed to Universities. Eventually it became apparent that he was a supporter of the Alan Milburn “social mobility” initiative. It would appear that there has been a forum set up to further this aspect and an invitation for the aviation industry to take part was extended to us.

The possiblity of finding a way to make part of the flight training a recognised qualification was also discussed and Mr Lammy confirmed that if this could be done the Government could look at a way of helping with funding for this qualification.

So all in all it would appear that the door is open for discussion and consideration. We will keep you posted as we progress.

Attached is a photo of us following the meeting. left to right is David Laws MP, Captain Alan Cooper, Jane Desforges and Paul Cooper

Regarding the VAT situation we will have to make a separate case to The Treasury on this.

So not quite the heavily slammed door I had anticipated or prepared for, my only concern is if the voice we appear to have been given becomes mute with the forthcoming general election. That said if a door is opened then we absolutely must go through it.