Can PPL, CPL and IR instructing recommence ?

[BigEndBob]

We can't, but it's no different to all the coppers and ambulance crews that have been driving around for the last several weeks.
I travelled to my old home town, nearly every factory and industrial estate was operating, bet a lot of those back street garages aren't social distancing.
Local nationwide tyre shop and fixers working, climbing in and out of customers contaminated cars.

[BigEndBob]

Looks like GA is on the move, for private owners and hires.
Just now watch airfields drag their feet to open.
So how many members keen to go flying would you trust to fly when some haven't flown for a couple of months and you know they will need a couple of circuits before you let them go.

[alfaaloop]

Indeed, with everyone out of check now, how do we do the check out flights safely so members can commence their solo hire flights?

[Happy Wanderer]

Latest Department for Transport steer here:https://www.gov.uk/government/public...iness-as-usual

Still a no-go I'm afraid....

HW

[TheOddOne]

I'm interviewing (by phone!) each of our members who fly the Club aircraft. I'm basing my decision as to who can fly solo on their previous experience and the outcome of what they think.

Someone who has previously owned and extensively flown the type and who flew about 2 months ago AND expresses reservations about their recency, I think is a reasonable bet. We'll wait for wind down the strip and good vis and we'll have a chat before they go off. Generally, the flight will be in the local area, no more then 30 mins.
Some other will be waiting until we can fly dual. Sadly, all the students (if we've any left!) will also have to wait.

TOO

[BigEndBob]

"It is also to be expected that some airfields will require time to implement guidance on making their sites Covid-secure, and that there may therefore be delays to reopening."

Not like they have had several weeks to prepare for this.

[SWBKCB]

Originally Posted by Broadlands

I flew today, the first training flight with a student since the beginning of lockdown.

Hopefully all other ATOs will follow soon.

But training is specifically excluded by the DfT?

[Oxflyer]

Originally Posted by SWBKCB

But training is specifically excluded by the DfT?

Apparently not if you are Leading Edge or L3.. ????

[Beaker_]

The CAA have released CAP1924 today titled COVID 19 – Preparing to Return to Normal Flying Operations for General Aviation Pilot Training Organisations (‘Flying Clubs and Schools’). Hopefully this is a sign of upcoming relaxation of dual training flights...

[BigEndBob]

https://publicapps.caa.co.uk/docs/33...anisations.pdf

So pretty much like a bad winter?
If you got the flu, stay at home!
I think the only guarantee of protection are those U2 pressure suits.

Actually the best protection will be a tin hat from all the planes falling out of the sky.
I wonder if hi-viz wards off covid?

And if some schools are being allowed to operate, isn't breaking some anti competition law, preventing competing companies from trading.
Folks might sign up now knowing they are flying when others are grounded.

[derekf]

Commercial flight training resumes in the UK...

https://www.*****************/2020/0...mes-in-the-uk/
https://bbga.aero/london-oxford-airp...edge-aviation/

[Wannabedriver]

Nice to see the return of flight training, my experience locally is that a lot of FI's, more particularly examiners would fall into the "vulnerable" category per UK government guidelines (please don't take that as what I consider vulnerable) and may continue to shield - am I likely to struggle to find an examiner for a PPL skills test? If so, anyone think it's likely the CAA would relax guidelines? e.g. My instructor is an examiner but can't currently do my skills test.

Just trying to form a mental picture of how this will return to normal-ish.

Thanks

[SWBKCB]

Commercial flight training resumes in the UK...

So this is specific exemptions approved by the CAA based on individual programmes submitted by larger residential schools, rather than a general resumption?

[MrAverage]

Yes. And it's very limited at present.

[TheOddOne]

I've just seen an advert from a well-known supplier of aviation materials for a face mask made by Tecnam. From the photo and the description, it seems to offer good visibility and protection both from another person's exhalations and yours on them. It could be argued that using such a device effectively extends the distance between people in a cockpit to the equivalent of standard social distancing, though the advert doesn't say this. The picture doesn't include someone wearing a headset. One of our members went flying wearing a surgical mask the other day, sounded quite muffled on the radio.
Using such a device in conjunction with what is effectively contact tracing that we've already worked out might reduce the risk to a very small (but not zero) level.
As Wannabedriver says, most instructors and examiners are regarded as 'vulnerable' by age but all the ones I know get quite shirty at the insinuation they're 'old', even though the youngest of the 5 we have is 61 and 3 are over 70 (eldest 78 and still going strong).

TOO

[BigEndBob]

Looks like one of those things people buy and within five minutes take it off and chuck into the back of the aircraft.

[Reverserbucket]

So this is specific exemptions approved by the CAA based on individual programmes submitted by larger residential schools, rather than a general resumption?

Yes. And it's very limited at present.

I don't believe the CAA stopped training - the decision to voluntarily suspend training activity was made by training organisations. My understanding is that the resumption of commercial training has been permitted by the DfT and that any exemptions have been granted higher up to enable specific non-civilian contracts held by commercial providers to continue during the last lockdown phase. A general resumption of commercial training and associated ratings is permitted now in any case.

[Happy Wanderer]

Originally Posted by Reverserbucket

I don't believe the CAA stopped training - the decision to voluntarily suspend training activity was made by training organisations. My understanding is that the resumption of commercial training has been permitted by the DfT and that any exemptions have been granted higher up to enable specific non-civilian contracts held by commercial providers to continue during the last lockdown phase. A general resumption of commercial training and associated ratings is permitted now in any case.

Says who Reverserbucket? The CAA certainly didn't stop flight training - the government did through the Department for Transport (see link below). By commercial training I presume you mean training for the CPL? In which case social distancing is still an issue on the basis it's all done in a light aircraft. Private or commercial? No difference.https://www.gov.uk/government/public...neral-aviation

HW

[Reverserbucket]

DfT HW. They have made a distinction between recreational General Aviation (as described in your link) and commercial training. How an ATO mitigates risk associated with the current social distancing guidelines is entirely their responsibility however and of course, the individuals involved.

[SWBKCB]

They have made a distinction between recreational General Aviation (as described in your link) and commercial training

Wasn't aware of that, do you know if that has been published anywhere or has it just gone from the DfT to ATO's?