The NZ CAA has now responded to the newspaper's inquiry into Omarama Gliding's announced closure.

"GLIDE OMARAMA GROUNDED BY RED TAPE
UPDATED: 9 am Tuesday, March 10, 2020 to include response from the Civil Aviation Authority received today at 8.35 am.
RESPONSE FROM CAA Senior Communications Advisor Blake Crayton-Brown.

"Thanks for your patience waiting for our response to your story about Glide Omarama’s certification. Glide Omarama was informed by the Civil Aviation Authority last year that it would need to become certified as an adventure aviation operation in order to continue offering its passenger glider flights. Glide Omarama had been offering paid glider flights which were described as ‘trial flights’, but it is the Authority’s view that many of the flights on offer were adventure aviation flights, rather than the type of trial flights which would be available at gliding clubs elsewhere in the country. Under Part 115 of the Civil Aviation Rules, adventure aviation operations are required to be certificated before they can offer offer recreational flights to paying passengers, including flights in gliders. This rule was first introduced in November 2011 to regulate the adventure aviation industry, and require operators to be certificated in much the same way as air transport operators. In order to gain certification, operators need to satisfy the Director of Civil Aviation that they have appropriate management systems, structures and operating procedures in place to ensure compliance with the relevant safety standards. They also need to demonstrate that their employees are appropriately qualified and trained, and that their equipment is appropriate for the task and properly maintained. These rules are in place to keep the New Zealand public and tourists safe, both in the air and on the ground, when they pay for adventure aviation flights. The Civil Aviation Authority will continue to work constructively with Glide Omarama, and would welcome an application for Part 115 certification."

Copy and photos: Ruth Grundy, Omarama Gazette
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