VLADIMIR PUTIN
ARCHIVE OF THE OFFICIAL SITE
OF THE 2008-2012 PRIME MINISTER
OF THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION
VLADIMIR PUTIN
ARCHIVE OF THE OFFICIAL SITE
OF THE 2008-2012 PRIME MINISTER
OF THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION
VLADIMIR PUTIN
Transcript of the beginning of the meeting:
Vladimir Putin: Mr Neradko, you were involved in preparing the recently adopted government resolution outlining new federal rules for using Russian air space. Could you please tell me why these new rules are necessary? How are you going to enforce this government resolution? What do you hope to achieve by implementing it?
Alexander Neradko: The previous resolution outlining these rules dates back to 1999, when the air traffic control system was completely different.
Back then, the Defence Ministry exercised full control over Russian air space on behalf of the government. However, Russian air space law was fundamentally reorganised after decisions adopted in 2005. First the Federal Air Navigation Service was given oversight over Russian airspace on behalf of the government, and then the administrative rights were transferred to the Ministry of Transport in 2008.
The federal rules for using Russian air space represent the second most important piece of air space legislation after the Air Code of the Russian Federation. It was necessary to codify these changes to air space regulation.
Second, it was also essential to facilitate access to such a resource as Russian air space in order to help develop aviation in Russia and remove excessive administrative barriers for private aviation. In order to accomplish these goals, a system of classifying air space was introduced for the first time in the history of this country and its aviation.
All Russian air space will be divided into three classes. The first two classes will be administered according to a permit system, as before. These two classes cover high-altitude air space (over 8,100 meters) as well as slightly lower altitudes for long-distance aircraft flying at high speeds.
The third class of air space will be administered according to a notification system as opposed to a permit system. This mainly applies to small planes and helicopters. Previously, pilots sent in an application and waited 24 hours for permission. Now, pilots will simply notify the authorities about their flight and be able to use Russian air space after about an hour. This corresponds to rules set by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and is bound to facilitate the development of private aviation in Russia.
Vladimir Putin: Will it be safe?
Alexander Neradko: Absolutely. The notification requirement holds the pilots fully responsible for any risk of collision.
Vladimir Putin: What if a pilot collides with another pilot who was acting responsibly? What will the injured party receive?
Alexander Neradko: Without a doubt, such a risk exists. We know that too many air space users break the rules. We will take additional measures to exclude them from the aviation community.
Vladimir Putin: First, all these rules must be worked out very thoroughly. Second, they should be enforced in a tough and consistent manner. No exceptions.
