In attendance:
(France) Patricia Lamy (President of EBF)
(Netherlands) Karel Abbenes (Vice President of EBF)
(Denmark) Jan Andersen (Treasurer & Webmaster of EBF)
(UK) Paul Spellward (General Secretary of EBF)
(Spain) Neus Lladó
(Germany) Benjamin Eimers
(Austria) Thomas Herndl
(Sweden) Charlotte Algotsson
(Belgium) Yves Lannoy
(Czech Republic and Switzerland were not present)
The meeting opened at 18h10
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Opening remarks: The President, Patricia Lamy, welcomed participants the meeting. She noted that 9th May is Europe day and an appropriate date for a successful European institution, such as EBF, to meet. She hoped that a physical (in person) meeting could take place next year or in a future year.
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Minutes of the 2022 General Assembly (10th May 2022) had been circulated and were approved by the meeting without changes.
- Activities by EBF in 2022-23 were reviewed:
Patricia Lamy reported that Georgia had decided not to continue its membership of EBF. Support had been provided by EBF to Georgia for preparation of Operations Manuals and training processes.
Karel Abbenes reported on meetings of the European General Aviation Technical Body (EASA GA-TEB) and the related EASA GA-COM. EBF’s participation in these highlevel meetings is critical in ensuring our access to the right people in EASA, so we can pursue our agenda for European ballooning. The new head of GA at EASA is Vladimir Foltin (from Czech Republic) and good relations have been established with him.
Karel Abbenes commented that major topics at the GA-TEB are Electronic Conspicuity and ADSL. It seems that a cellular phone application “SafeSky” may be an ideal solution for balloons. EBF is staying engaged in this work. It must be noted that the start date for operation of “U-space” is decided by each member state for its own territory.
Karel Abbenes and Paul Spellward reported on work with EASA on the problems of maintaining legal recency for Part 66L Balloon Engineers. The problem has been acknowledged by EASA. A recent meeting involved the officers responsible for any changes that must be made and was chaired supportively by Vladimir Foltin. Further inputs from EBF will be required. The issues with training for the Part 66L licence will also be discussed. A solution is required this year for the recency problem.
Karel Abbenes and Paul Spellward reported that EBF had responded to an EASA consultation on a proposal for construction standards for launch restraints. The concept has merit but some of the proposed AMC material was far too prescriptive, for example specifying the length of restraint lines, which should be for the operator to determine.
Karel Abbenes reported that EASA is taking initiatives to reduce airspace infringements, which are too frequent.
Karel Abbenes reported that a huge amount of work is going on in support of the operation of UAV (drones). Much of this is at the national level. Each EBF member federation is urged to look after their interests with their own NAA. There is a risk of reduced access to low level airspace which may become “controlled for drones”.
Patricia Lamy reported that EASA is preparing a Flight Examiner Manual. EBF involvement at the EASA level had not been invited. EBF has become involved, with Paul Spellward as a “consultant”, via the French CAA (DGAC).
Paul Spellward reported that EBF is preparing for a review of Part BOP and Part BFCL at EASA. The dates for the review are not yet established, but it should start late in 2023. EBF should start collecting a list of problems and suggestions. EBF will prepare a structured process to take inputs from EBF members. This is a once in 5-10 years opportunity, so EBF members are urged to give their inputs on regulations which are problematic and should be improved.
Karel Abbenes advised that there will shortly be a consultation on Part 21 “Light” and EBF must be ready to respond.
Other topics were raised and discussed:
Yves Lannoy advised that there are no FI(B)s or FE(B)s in Belgium qualified for hot air airships. This seems to be a problem for pilots wanting to gain the hot air airship qualification. Karel Abbenes stated that there were instructors in the Netherlands. Paul Spellward commented that this was a good example of how the EASA system can aid smaller countries who do not have all the qualified people themselves. EBF should expand its website to include information on such FI(B) and FE(B) for the rarer qualifications.
Benni Eimers suggested EBF should maintain a list of European records. The FAI/CIA maintains world records, the local federations maintain national records, EBF would simply need to collate national records and identify the European record. Patricia Lamy and Karel Abbenes cautioned about doing anything which might be seen as competitive to FAI/CIA. The EBF Board will discuss this proposal further and report back.
Jan Andersen reminded the meeting that it had previously been agreed EBF would maintain a list of FI(B) refresher courses [BFCL.360(a)(1)(i)] being run, so as to assist instructors to find courses outside their own country when required. This is also relevant to initial FI(B) training courses [BFCL.330(b)]. EBF will devise a route for information on such courses to be provided and a web page for displaying the information. The emphasis will be for courses delivered in English, but should ideally include all courses.
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- Finance Report: this had been circulated and was presented by the Treasurer, Jan Andersen. The meeting approved the Finance Report on a unanimous vote (all 9 present in favour).
Membership fee for 2024: EBF has good reserves at present, but may incur significant expenditure in upcoming meetings with EASA. Federations are accustomed to paying 500€ and many have this sum in their future budgets. After discussion, it was proposed to keep the membership fee for 2024 at the same level, 500€. The meeting approved the 2024 membership fee of 500€ on a unanimous vote (all 9 present in favour).
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Elections to the Executive Committee (Board): Patricia Lamy and Karel Abbenes had come to the end of their two-year term of office and therefore retire from the Board and are eligible to stand for re-election. Jan Andersen and Paul Spellward have served one year on the Board and therefore continue in office until the 2024 General Assembly.
Both Patricia and Karel wish to retire from EBF Board as soon as is practicable, whilst ensuring EBF remains strong and effective. Succession planning is needed: new Board members need to be found. Both Patricia and Karel were willing to serve a further year, with the strong hope that new Board members will come forward. However, noting that the election is for a two-year term, both Patricia Lamy and Karel Abbenes were proposed for the Board for 2023-2025. In the absence of other candidates, they were both declared elected.
The meeting closed at 19h35
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