I was told by a member of the excecutive that "Because I chose to fly an LAA permit four place machine, I would be banned from these events.
I was told that the extra cost of insurance, about £5000, to allow me to take part was "not good value for money"
I, along with other owners of three plus seat machines, pay approximately 10% more for our permits. We have no choice. If we want to fly a permit aircraft we pay up.
Are we now to be denied the privilege of enjoying the benefits that are bestowed on other members? Are we now becoming a selective society?
If it is a question of justifying the cost for so few, then I ask why was this factor not taken into account when the LAA chose to put the RV10 type acceptance through. How many are there, 6? probably, at most and I bet it cost a whole lot more than £5000.
It was pointed out that it would cost the equivilent of 25 members' fees to allow us to take part in these events. Isn't this what the LAA is about?
I suspect that the LAA has had this number of three plus seat machines join the organisation in the last year or so.
I have been a member of the PFA/LAA for almost all of my flying life. I have attended and helped out at rallies over the years. At almost every monthly meeting we discuss how and what we can do to promote the LAA and yet now I feel that I am being discriminated against.
You are in one stupid, irresponsible, discriminatory act destroying a lifetime of goodwill.
If this rule was sexist or racist you would not be able to implement it. I am far from convinced that it would not be viewed as anything but discriminating.
Please don't view this as an attack on the LAA. It is a plea for common sense and fairmindedness and to be treated as an equal.
Graham Hammond
![Mad :x](./images/smilies/icon_mad.gif)