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Old 9th May 2020, 22:32
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GAGuy
 
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: California
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Reporting only, not expressing an opinion. Please no flames.

Here in the San Francisco bay area many clubs are now open for solo flight or with family members. CFI's were informed last week that there will be no instruction for a rating, but dual flight for the purposes of currency such as flight reviews is allowed. There are strict masking and disinfecting protocols but there's skepticism they'll keep you safe flying dual. Only one member of a flying club is allowed in the building at any time and must be masked when there. Hand sanitizer and wipes abound. Those few who have been flying solo report empty skies and very accommodating ATC. One fellow pilot said he was thinking about flying into SFO and asking for closed traffic; clearly a joke, but it does represent the lack of traffic.

A fellow instructor found himself in Miami when the airlines stopped flying and he decided to stay. He says southern Florida never closed down and he continued to instruct with disinfecting and masking protocols. He said there aren't many students wanting to fly, however.

There's a sense that the recent dearth of flight instructors will become a glut as laid-off airline pilots look for a source of income. There's also the worry that those who bought planes as rental revenue generators may find themselves in dire straits. Lots of financial stress.
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