Private Flying During Lockdown

[cliver029]

I understand that (allegedly) CAA currently allows for a 30 minute test flight when required, would that also
include subjecting everyone underneath struggling with lockdown to 15 minutes of very sloppy aerobatics
such as witnessed north west of EGSU a short while ago:mad:

[Pilot DAR]

15 minutes of very sloppy aerobatics

Perhaps with rusty flying skills resulting from the lockdown, what appeared to be sloppy aerobatics was simply "flying"!

[Piper.Classique]

In France they call a snitch a Corbeau.

[sycamore]

The rules are there,but some seem to think a 200 mile race-about is ok if N-reg..........

[G-ARZG]

If you're going to grass on fellow pilots, this is probably not the best forum to do so?

[Genghis the Engineer]

If anybody can explain to me why a conservatively flown solo VFR flight A-A flight of 6 hours duration is in any way more problematic to health, safety, or anything else than a similar flight of 30 minutes duration which goes out of gliding range of the airfield, I will worry about it.

Otherwise, so far as I'm concerned, well done anybody who managed to - safely - get some flying in.

G

[A and C]

Had to do an air test on an autoflight system that has been giving trouble for months a few days back, I was very surprised not to be the subject of much virtue signalling from the flight radar police.

[Christopher Robin]

Another thread with are they allowed to do this and that !!!!

[squidie]

The flights are for maintenance and I don’t see how dodgy aeros are a part of it

https://www.caa.co.uk/Our-work/Newsroom/COVID-19-guidance-for-commercial-and-recreational-aviation/#4294996578-accordioncollapse-5

[GAGuy]

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.

[Christopher Robin]

And now even a link to the rules !!!

[BoeingBoy]

Well hopefully we'll get an alleviation to greater freedom soon but for precedent I did my health flight earlier this week and got stopped by the Police en route to the airport. They politely asked where I was going and I told them I was driving the fifty miles to my field and that I would be conducting an hours solo local flight in accordance with CAA/Lycoming's guidance and then buying some food on the way home. I also added that I'm 66 with a recent history of Cancer and that in all other respects I had been, and would be following lock down rules.

The lovely young female PC replied that it was fine and the best excuse she'd heard all day. It apparently beat 'Going to Aldi' hands down.

[Christopher Robin]

Really glad to hear you are doing well Boeing Boy look after yourself

[Maoraigh1]

From the CAA link ( my bold):
". Aircraft should aim to remain within the airfield circuit. Unless safety of flight requirements dictate, the aircraft should not travel beyond a 10nm radius of its departure aerodrome and no dynamic manoeuvring activity should be flown. Each flight should be at the highest practical height to minimise to the noise impact on members of the public maintaining social distancing, and not below 1,000ft AGL except for take-off, approach and landing."

[Christopher Robin]

And now we have the rules printed out this is so much fun !!!

Lets start typing out all the rules this is going to be great !!!!

[xrayalpha]

Should, would, could.....

None mean MUST

I live on an airfield and so can go flying any time I want - no "is my journey necessary".

In fact, if I was in England, then I might be prepared to take my chances with an over-zealous police officer who wanted to stop me from flying to my daily exercise, rather than driving to it.

But I have too much respect for the NHS and fellow citizens. So I am grounded and the airfield users are - except for the suggested exemptions, most of which don't apply to the type of aircraft based here.

[Ebbie 2003]

Where I am there is no awareness of the need for engine health flights.

Left my airplane for a month went to fly circuits for 30 minutes, told no you should run the engine on the ground (anyone else read Lycoming's publications on that?).

Found I could do an international flight no problem, if I could find a country that would allow me to land - flew to another country, landed flew back, nearly four hours of flying. Yup, quarantined at public expense when I got back. Of course flew the circuit they would not let me fly as I left and returned. No actual published prohibition empowering the refusal.

The whole thing is just madness.

So after two weeks in quarantine, two weeks out of quarantine - a repeat flight, rinse and repeat.

At least the UK does publish guidance and does not leave it to local unqualified people to make up rules as they go along.

Should say Barbados is not the place in question.

[pilotmike]

And now we have the rules printed out this is so much fun !!!

Lets start typing out all the rules this is going to be great !!!!
What is your aversion to pilots being aware of the rules / laws?

[Big Pistons Forever]

No such silliness in Canada. I can drive my private car to my private hangar, get into my private airplane ,alone, and go for a flight. The only time I interact with any communal property is at the self serve fuel pump where I wipe down everything I touch before and after fueling. My chance of contributing to the spread of the Corona Virus is effectively zero.

[scifi]

[EDIT: Play the ball, not the man - mods]

Our club had some aircraft fly their maintenance flights today, and were able to reach above 7000ft, so were not even noticeable by the average man-in-the-street.
As well as keeping the engine oil moisture free, it also kept their batteries in charge, and added an hour to the pilot's revalidation requirements.
.

[blind pew]

IIRC The CAA has used guidance in their wording which is all it means.
The IAA has withdrawn their instructions stopping flying.(think they overstepped their remit).
The DGAC does not prohibit flying.
I think that unless the respective government passes a law prohibiting any sport flying then there is no reason in law that says you cannot fly.
Probably there is some clause from the European law makers that allows freedom to fly.

[SWBKCB]

Both the LAA and BMAA have said they are unclear and are seeeking guidance. Originally the CAA said because the regulation to 'stay at home' precluded recreational flying, they didn't see the need for any additional rstrictions - I think we need to see what they come up with now

Because the directive to stay at home is being well observed, we do not perceive a need to introduce a specific ban on flying by visual flight rules (VFR) as seen in some European countries. This will have the significant benefit of allowing flexibility, and allowing GA flights to resume as overarching restrictions on movement are lifted.

[TelsBoy]

I think it will be a while before we see some sort of standardised diktat saying we can or can't fly, if ever. For starters, the edicts are differing all across the country now as to what people can and can't do. My local club is shut as I'd imagine most are across the country. Many airports/airfields are also closed and strictly PPR for CAA authorised "maintenance flights" only for GA flyers.

My view is that the CAA will say/do nothing for now, until the various forms of Govt in this country form a cohesive policy on loosened restrictions (ha!) which will enable businesses (including flying clubs and airfields) to open again. Confusing considering aviation is not devolved and remains a UK-wide policy however the "stay at home" message still applies in Scotland. Frustrating times.

[Fl1ingfrog]

Differently from stated above the french government has banned private flying and a number of pilots have been fined for doing so. After being reported by ATC, one pilot was tracked by radar and met on landing by the police. this proved to be an expensive flight for him.

[homonculus]

You can now travel as far as you like within England as long as you maintain social distancing and return home the same day. Boris said 'to open spaces'

So there is no impediment to fly provided the other person(s) in the cab are from your household and you return the same day. You plank flyers have no other issues as most airfields are indeed open spaces, but us rotary types may have to reconsider confined areas. However we also have the get out clause that the helicopter championships are indeed a sport so we can just put the flight down to practicing. Now where is that bucket and rope.......:rolleyes:

The CAA merely issued guidance in light of regulations that no longer exist in their original form

As to whether the virus will obey Boris and disappear, well time will tell. Many of us have concerns many more people will die as a result of this bizarre easing and that the resultant length of disruption will cost jobs and homes.