Light aircraft boost for UAE as GCAA develops regulations to open skies for GA

General aviation enthusiasts have been given a tremendous boost by the UAE's General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) which announced last night that it has given approval for plans to develop regulations for Light Sport Aircraft (LSA) activities in the United Arab Emirates.
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Although there will be a 12-month consultation period, known as a notice of proposed amendment, to the new rules which should pen the way for LSA aircraft which meet specific requirements, to be authorised to operate in approved flying club environment.

Globally, the GCAA joins only a few authorities providing regulation for the LSA sector. Per geographical size, UAE airspace is one of the busiest in the world.
GCAA’s director general, Saif Mohammed Al Suwaidi, said the regulator conscious of the security, commercial and general aviation interests but said future release of airspace to enable cross country routing for general aviation is planned. Formerly unregulated, the GCAA vision was to increase safety, security and standardization for the growing aviation community, he said.
The news generated a lot more interest in the LSA sector at the Abu Dhabi Air Expo which was developed to champion the cause of general aviation.
 One exhibitor, Czech Sport Aircraft spent the last day of the show demonstrating the PS-28 Cruiser to senior GCAA officials commenting during the demonstration of the PS-28 Cruiser, Capt. Khalid Humaid Al Ali, director of the GCAA’s licensing department, said “Having just issued the new regulations for LSA, it is very encouraging to see the interest of Czech Sport Aircraft to introduce its PS-28 Cruiser into the UAE.

 

Pictured Matthew Harvey  (second right) with GCAA’s Ismaeil Mohammed Al Balooshi , executive director of aviation safety affairs; Captain Khalid Humaid Al Ali director of licensing and Hisham Abdulla Hablail (Inspector- MROS)

 
This new regulation is aimed at providing greater opportunities and choice to the private pilots within our region and this aircraft is clearly one of the market leaders in the LSA category.
We were very pleased with the demonstration of the aircraft and we could certainly see the PS-28 Cruiser in a training and recreational role here in the United Arab Emirates.”
Speaking after hosting the GCAA delegation on the Czech Sport Aircraft stand, Matthew Harvey, the manufacturer’s vice president sales & marketing, said, “This new regulation for LSA here in the United Arab Emirates is really positive news and a sign that the market is now open for business. We firmly believe that the PS-28 Cruiser has a role to play within the flight training sector of the market as well as for recreational use here in the region and we look forward to cooperating closely with GCAA. The demand for the PS-28 Cruiser is apparent from the interest that the aircraft has generated throughout the Expo and we now hope to be able to penetrate this new market.”
 
 

 

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