[Stronsaylimpet] Loganair - ear protectors

[Limpet editor]

 From Liam McArthur MSP:

I thought you might be interested in having sight of a response I’ve 
received from Jonathan Hinkles, Loganair’s Chief Executive regarding the 
availability of ear protectors on Inter-Island flights, following 
representations I made after correspondence with an Occupational Physician.

Mr Hinkles writes, “I’ve taken a look at this with Ryan Walter, Station 
Manager, Kirkwall Airport and our team in Kirkwall. The BN2 Islander 
aircraft are certified in accordance with the CS-23 design 
specifications for commuter category aeroplanes and the engines that we 
have fitted to the Islander are exactly the same make and model 
(Lycoming O-540) as during the aircraft’s initial certification. From a 
regulatory perspective, the noise exposure level and duration for 
passengers on infrequent very short journeys on the aircraft is such 
that there is no requirement for hearing protection to be in place. The 
exposure level for pilots is different but mitigated with the 
noise-cancelling headsets worn on the flightdeck.
In talking to Ryan, it looks as though this issue has arisen once before 
quite some time ago (which we believe was in the order of 15 years ago). 
There had been an acceptance at that time that Loganair would provide 
disposable hearing plugs for passengers and indeed, we still have a 
stock of these available in the inter-isles office in Kirkwall today. 
These aren’t proactively offered simply because no-one ever took them 
up. I’ve agreed with Ryan that we will put this back into place 
forthwith including arrangements at the North Isles airfields.”

Kind regards, Liam