EMF: General Assembly chaired by Louis Collardeau

The EMF "Generale Conference" (General Assembly), originally due to be held in Paris, took place this Saturday 17 October by videoconference (because of Covid 19!). 14 countries were present on "Zoom": Germany, England, Belgium, Denmark, Spain, Finland, France, Holland, Lithuania, Poland, Slovakia, Sweden, Switzerland and the Czech Republic.

The meeting began with a moment of silence in memory of our Belgian friend Louis Berger, who died in July 2020 at the age of 90. Louis Berger, with whom we were in regular contact, had contributed to the work of the EMF, notably alongside Dominique Méreuze when he was president, bringing us his dual expertise in aviation and the European institutions.

The president's report at the end of this 1^st year of his presidency covered 3 areas:

The impact of the Covid-19 crisis

On general aviation, and more particularly on microlight activity in Europe, where most countries, like us, stopped flying for 2 months (with very few intra-European flights) and cancelled most national and international events and gatherings: Friedrichshafen, Blois and the competitions.

Key developments in 2020 within the EMF countries

6 countries have now opted for the Opt-Out: Germany, the Czech Republic, France, Slovenia, Slovakia and Finland. Even though the definition of a microlight still varies quite a lot from one country to another, all EMF members clearly speak with one voice in favour of keeping microlights outside the EASA framework.

This diversity in our national regulations is also our best protection. In this context, it is important for us to respect one another's practices, history and cultures, without seeking to impose ourselves through a show of strength.

A self-assessment questionnaire is under way to produce a more precise map of the EMF and to better identify each country's expectations.

EMF actions and priorities for 2021:

• • Step up the EMF's work on more concrete actions that pilots can see
  • Modernise the EMF website, in particular by updating the "Flying in Europe" pages with more practical information for pilots
  • Share safety and training materials and documents to identify "best practices", for example subtitled videos
  • Strengthen EMF communication through our national magazines
  • Take part under the EMF banner in international events such as the Mondial de l'ULM in Blois in September 2021.

In line with these areas, and after the participants discussed the financial report, a stronger budget was adopted for 2021 to carry out more specific EMF actions, while keeping the EMF's financial contribution to EAS (Europe Air Sports) at the same level, notably in view of the forthcoming discussions on "U" Space.

The medical question prompted an interesting exchange, which showed a very wide range of approaches from country to country: no medical examination at all, a fully self-declared online system (even for aeroplanes), driving-licence-type examinations depending on age, the family doctor, an aviation medical examiner for class 2, or even class 1. The consensus was that these examinations did not show any additional safety benefit (including in studies carried out over 10 years), especially as the disappearance of aviation doctors in several countries was becoming a serious problem, with doctors in several countries refocusing on treatment rather than on pointless examinations of healthy people.

This "Zoom" meeting format allowed good participation among EMF members, so it was agreed to hold further, more thematic meetings during the year by videoconference.

The next EMF General Assembly is again planned for Paris, and should take place in October 2021.

Louis COLLARDEAU

EMF President