When Will GA Start Again

[Dave Gittins]

Boris's announcement yesterday gave a countdown to mid June for things to slowly open up. Has anything been published or announced yet as to where GA fits into the timescales ?

[TheOddOne]

Nope. Still showing 11th Feb 2021 advice on the DfT web site, as of close of play Tues 23rd Feb.
We're a long way down the food chain from golf and gyms, so not expecting any helpful advice any time soon.
Yesterday was the first nice day for a while, so we had 4 aircraft out of the hangar for essential maintenance, instructor currency and a lesson for a student doing a commercial. Had a phone call from the Council, a local resident had complained asking them why we were flying. We had similar from the local police on the previous flyable day a couple of weeks ago. Both bodies went away satisfied but it does show we have to be prepared to justify everything we do.
Never mind the hordes of vehicles with up-country registrations with top-boxes on last week, presumably 1/2 termers visiting their 2nd homes...

TOO

[MrAverage]

There's no way we're behind gyms. From memory, they were closed during our last period of being able to fly with both leisure and modular commercial students, when our leisure PPLs were allowed to fly too. That's not to say I think we'll be back to that quickly, but you never know. Teaching people to fly is education after all.

I say keep your eye open for the driving instructors and driving test examiners to be out in force again (they're only doing key workers at the mo.) All the examiners are paid out of our taxes, so the DfT will want them back doing 7 tests per day, to get those test fees rolling in asap.

That's how I saw it coming last year, since they're in roughly the same confined space. Although I suspect there's far more fresh air coming through all the gaps in our aircraft cockpits.

[homonculus]

I was highly critical of the government's failure to lock down last spring but the reality is we will soon have groups 1-9 vaccinated and then there is little risk of hospitalisation or death. Anyway there appears little risk outside and most small aircraft could be classed as outside :cool:

Commercial flying is currently allowed but non commercial flying is caught by the legislation preventing you leaving home. When that is rescinded on 29 March I struggle to see any legislation preventing flying. The CAA provided guidance but it is not enforceable, only legislation is.

I suspect older instructors will be in demand :rolleyes:

[scifi]

I am very pessimistic about the future of GA in this country. Covid is not going to go away, so Fly-Ins will not be possible. Also many of the older fliers will just hang up their goggles, as flying with passengers might be a problem.
With the reduced amount of flights, there is a reduced amount of revenue for flying clubs, so even if the airfield cafe's can open, they will most likely not switch the heating on.

There may come a time when airfield facilities will be reduced and some may have to close entirely.. Use it or loose it, applies.
Gliding clubs are much the same, who wants to pay a yearly subscription if launch teams cannot operate.
.

[white light]

Personally, I think that come end of March/April, things will start to pick up again for GA, especially with the vaccines available & tweaked ones in the pipeline.
Lots of people I know, students & private pilots, are raring to get back to it.
Fingers crossed for a good summer, which can only help matters!

[SWBKCB]

I am very pessimistic about the future of GA in this country. Covid is not going to go away, so Fly-Ins will not be possible. Also many of the older fliers will just hang up their goggles, as flying with passengers might be a problem.
With the reduced amount of flights, there is a reduced amount of revenue for flying clubs, so even if the airfield cafe's can open, they will most likely not switch the heating on.

There may come a time when airfield facilities will be reduced and some may have to close entirely.. Use it or loose it, applies.
Gliding clubs are much the same, who wants to pay a yearly subscription if launch teams cannot operate.
.

Why would Fly-Ins not be possible? A perfect socially distanced social event!

And between the lockdowns schools were reportingt they were busy, with new recruits as well as pent up demand from existing students.

[Jonty]

Music concerts are happening this summer, so I don’t see why flyins won’t be going ahead?

[Ridger]

I am very pessimistic about the future of GA in this country. Covid is not going to go away, so Fly-Ins will not be possible. Also many of the older fliers will just hang up their goggles, as flying with passengers might be a problem. With the reduced amount of flights, there is a reduced amount of revenue for flying clubs, so even if the airfield cafe's can open, they will most likely not switch the heating on.

I hope you're wrong! If the vaccine continues to work as advertised then I think GA will recover - most people in my flying circle are chomping at the bit. I agree with you that C-19 isn't going away but once the vaccine efficacy data is available to establish booster intervals then I see no reason why pax flying, fly-ins or any social contact shouldn't be feasible sans masks and social distancing. Fingers crossed!

[bobward]

I've helped out at a local flying school for the last ten years. Last summer was one of the busiest we've ever had. They are still training commercial students with a steady, albeit slower throughput.
The only reason I'm not there right now is that I'm not essential staff on the club, otherwise I'd be back pushing paper. The sooner we can get back, the better, as I'm confident that things will pick up again.

[ak7274]

I am very pessimistic about the future of GA in this country. Covid is not going to go away, so Fly-Ins will not be possible. Also many of the older fliers will just hang up their goggles, as flying with passengers might be a problem.
With the reduced amount of flights, there is a reduced amount of revenue for flying clubs, so even if the airfield cafe's can open, they will most likely not switch the heating on.

There may come a time when airfield facilities will be reduced and some may have to close entirely.. Use it or loose it, applies.
Gliding clubs are much the same, who wants to pay a yearly subscription if launch teams cannot operate.
.

I hope fly Ins will be out there, for us all to enjoy. There is one at Rufforth East near York planned for 31st July/1st August, which with luck should be after the Country opens up fully.

[scifi]

Well I suppose there is a glimmer of light on the horizon; I just saw that the Long Myndd Gliding club managed to launch a couple of gliders last Wednesday.
However no Tier 4 or Welsh members are allowed to travel to the club. Also all the indoor facilities, including the canteen, are out of bounds for the foreseeable future.

I usually get involved with charity MTB, Triathlon and Horse events, there were none in 2020, but we might have an MTB event in September, if suitable social distancing methods can be arranged... Maybe a staggered start, with allocated start times, instead of the usual mass start of up to 400 riders.
.

[Jim59]

The DfT has indicated that instructors can fly to regain recency in preparation for a resumption of organised sport flying (hopefully 29th March). A number of gliding clubs have been taking the opportunity to get their instructors back in the groove - but typically with only instructors to be at the airfield - and with a letter of authorisation from the CFI or Chairman to show to 'interested' parties.

[ASRAAMTOO]

Interpolating from information applying to other fields on the government site one might expect solo flying from 29 March and dual from 12 April.

Edited: Latest guidance just published.

Https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-general-aviation/coronavirus-covid-19-general-aviation

[ETOPS]

Should be fun on the 29th - large numbers of aircraft and pilots all trying to get aloft at the same time not having flown much for at least 3 months........

Luckily it will probably be raining :ok:

[Krystal n chips]

Not my usual forum, but, I've been following this thread with a personal interest as I will explain shortly.

Prior to this, a friend posted a link on my FB page from Boultbee Aviation saying the CAA have confirmed they can resume pax flights from 12th April. Which is good to hear albeit social distancing in a Spit is clearly obvious.

My interest is that I would like to purchase a "Wingly " voucher for my management as she's never flown GA and has expressed an interest just to see what its like. Given the proximity of pilot / pax it's when the actual flight could take place that's been of interest.

As an aside, the "Wingly " operation appears to be well planned and organised hence advice about any potential hiccups would be welcome please.

[anxiao]

I too would like to start flying again, but I shall first need several refresher flights with an instructor and a new annual revalidation. (Your terms may vary depending on country).

Dr. Mrs Anxiao is most concerned that the proximity of an Instructor and student in a light aircraft (it will most likely be a C172) will be a wonderful place to catch a virus. She strongly suggests that I do not share a small cockpit with another person until the "numbers" have come down. My point of view is different.

How are the schools handling this? Are masks being worn in light aircraft? Is there a recognised risk, or is the almighty $ of the survival of the flying schools controlling the acceptance of this risk?

I would like very much to get back flying again and I wonder how others are handling the two crew training environment.

[PR0PWASH]

Music concerts are happening this summer, so I don’t see why flyins won’t be going ahead?

No, there may be a degree of confidence and tickets will be undoubtedly be sold, but thats entirely different to saying they are happening

[TheOddOne]

We found wearing masks made communication sufficiently more difficult as to be a safety hazard during student flights. So, we developed a Covid questionnaire and were taking temperatures etc before flight. With sanitising the aircraft between flights and keeping the air vents open to promote a through draught during flight, we considered that we had sufficiently mitigated the risk. We have several doctors in our Club, and they concurred with our general approach. During a year of (sometimes on-off) operation, we haven't had a single case of anyone reporting that they have tested positive.
Otherwise, on the ground, we have maintained social distancing with mask wearing indoors. We keep doors to our briefing facility open, which creates a good through draught (sometimes a gale, bearing in mind where we are!).
We're in the UK and are a Club run by volunteers. We don't make a profit and don't have shareholders to account to, just our fellow Club members. Our motivation is to go flying and share our passion with others, probably just as strong as the money one, actually!

TOO

[Balazs91]

In Hungary, flight trainings had to completely shut down since the beginning of March. Only recreational flights are allowed now, the entire crew can only be from the same household. If you fly alone, that's the safest. Gliders are getting active though, that 40 m tow rope should be enough social distancing between them and the tug plane. Stay safe!

[tangelo313]

Same in Italy - But I hope that the situation will change soon, I have to continue my training as soon as possible