But urges the need for strict control.
The head of Rosaviatsia, Alexander Neradko, yesterday reported to Prime Minister Putin on air traffic. He said the country's air space would be divided into three classes. In the first two classes, above 8100 m, reserved for large planes, permits will still be required for flights. In the third class, reserved for helicopters and small aircraft, one would need only to provide notification, as before. But while previously the pilots of small aircraft had to give 24-hour notice, now they can fly at an hour's notice, simplifying flight planning. This is the standard procedure of the International Civil Aviation Organization.
"The aircraft commander is entirely responsible for the risk of a collision," Mr Neradko said.
True, he admitted that there were many careless amateur pilots.
"We will take additional measures to bar such pilots from the aviation community," Mr Neradko promised the prime minister.
"All these approaches and rules must be prepared carefully and applied strictly and consistently," the prime minister said. "Negligence must not be tolerated."
Mr Putin ordered new regulations to ensure flight safety, which are to be introduced before the year's end.
Viktor Lorin
