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The latest in aviation and industrial news from around the world Campaign to save flight schools BALPA prides itself on being there to protect pilots right through their careers, and that means starting from day one. Thats why our focus on lobbying government about flight-school closures has been so important. In the past month, weve briefed MPs on the topic for a debate in Westminster Hall, and met the aviation minister, Baroness Vere, to discuss the matter further. In this clip, Tim Loughton MP (East Worthing and Shoreham, Conservative) talks though some of our main campaign calls: youtu.be/W9JDRS65sao Click here to watch: Westminster Hall debate on flight schools, September 2023 BALPA in Europe BALPA delegates were in Riga, Latvia, in September, to ensure the voice of UK pilots was heard in discussions at the European Cockpit Associations Industrial Working Group meeting. The group meets twice a year, and the gathering is an opportunity for pilot unions from across Europe to unite and share information about the issues affecting their 40,000 members. It is also an opportunity to agree and coordinate resolutions and campaigns. Delegates at the ECA meeting, including Michelle Brierley, BALPA National officer (in red) A focus on ACMI The difficulties presented by ACMI, including by the Riga-based operator SmartLynx, were on the agenda this month. It was agreed that more action was needed to counter not just the flight safety issues presented by ACMI, but also the social impact of such operators. It was highlighted that these operators are able to use self-employed crews with limited to no employment rights. They can be contracted to break strikes, and often operate without an operational base in the countries in which they work. While many airlines had initially wet-leased aircraft to address problems in the short term, there was evidence from delegates around the table that this had now become business as usual in many cases. An approach to the recently established European Labour Authority was discussed, to gain its support for an investigation by EASA. Getting ahead on the RCO debate The working group on Reduced Crew Operations (RCO) recently reported back to us. Although, currently, no airlines have expressed an interest in RCO, the working group cautioned that we might see the impetus arise from the global pilot shortage, the air cargo sector and the aircraft manufacturers. BALPA will shortly launch a dedicated RCO campaign webpage to support the global Safety Starts with 2 campaign. BALPA is also engaging with the media and public with a series of blogs on this topic. Bluewing 53BP, any turbulence on your level? Affirm. Receiving light to occasional moderate jiggles Dangers of UV+ radiation We saw a presentation from PPG Aerospace on its products, which protect against the dangers of UV+ radiation, including skin damage and macular degeneration. It was agreed that the lack of consistent standards of protection would be escalated to IFALPA. Membership update for ECA A process for seamless membership of ECA-affiliated trade unions will be adopted at the ECAs November conference. This will mean pilots who transfer to employers in different countries can join the relevant trade union without losing the protections afforded to them by trade union membership. Full legal cover will be available immediately, without the usual three-month wait applied when joining a new trade union. NEWS Upfront