The Department for Transport (DfT) is consulting on increasing the maximum fine which can be applied to pilots or aircraft operators contravening the Standardised European Rules of the Air (SERA).
The DfT proposes to amend the Air Navigation Order to allow for the maximum fine for such offences to be increased from Level 4 – currently £2,500 – to Level 5, which is unlimited (except in Scotland and Northern Ireland where Level 5 is £5,000). The proposed fines would apply to incidents such as:
-failure to maintain two-way communications with Air Traffic Control
-failure to adhere to flight plans
The consultation period began on 17 March 2016 and will run until 22 April 2016 so have your say!
Although the document talks about fines being ‘proportionate’ and having regard to the individual’s financial circumstances, this could still make any infringement very expensive indeed.
https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/rules-of-the-air-increased-fines-for-infringements
