« Health and Safety considerations for Santa? | Main | Another problem for Santa »
December 16, 2004
More trouble for Santa
Now it appears that Santa has also fallen foul of the new EU Pilots Regulations managed by the UK Transport Section of the Office of the Deputy Prime Misery. The Civil Aviation Authority has identified that Santa's pilot's licence was issued in the US by their FAA and is not valid for commercial flying in the UK and Europe unless it is for single points of landing and departure on scheduled airlines operating from the US. To do multiple landings and take-offs for commercial purposes in the EU flight control area, he needs to qualify under the Joint Aviation Authority Rules.
This will necessitate a minimum retraining period of 4,000 flight hours with a JAA-approved instructor and a full re-examination of his performance in flight. This includes emergency procedures, emergency landings, and recovery of inflight engine (reindeer) failure or damage. Until this has been successfully completed, Santa will only be permitted to make a single landing in each EU country, and all subsequent deliveries must be made by road.
He is further in breach of the Aviation Rules for foreign aircraft entering UK airspace in that he has been failing to land at a designated International Airport to obtain clearance for immigration and customs purposes before proceeding to his other destinations. An investigation is also underway to determine whether or not he is in contravention of flight control rules in the EU for landing and taking off from, inter alia, roof tops, gardens, and public streets and pavements. Santa could face the impounding of his sleigh, presents, and reindeer and the arrest of himself and his elves if he attempts to land anywhere in the EU before this matter is cleared up.
Whitehall and Brussels strike again!
Posted by The Gray Monk at December 16, 2004 09:49 AM