Private Flying During Lockdown
Thread Starter
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 230
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From: Not far enough south of Cambridge
Private Flying During Lockdown
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
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
Fleet Manager
Joined: Aug 2006
Aviation Qualifications: CPL
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From: Ontario, Canada
15 minutes of very sloppy aerobatics
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Joined: Feb 2000
Aviation Qualifications: CPL
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From: UK
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
Otherwise, so far as I'm concerned, well done anybody who managed to - safely - get some flying in.
G
Last edited by Genghis the Engineer; 9th May 2020 at 15:44.
Joined: Jan 1999
Posts: 6,209
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From: north of barlu
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.
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 141
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From: UK
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/Newsr...dioncollapse-5
https://www.caa.co.uk/Our-work/Newsr...dioncollapse-5
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 9
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From: California
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.
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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Joined: Jun 1999
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From: MAN. UK.
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.
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.
Joined: Oct 2007
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From: Moray,Scotland,U.K.
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."
". 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."
Joined: Oct 2006
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From: Strathaven Airfield
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.
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.
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 419
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From: Barbados
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.
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.
Joined: Nov 2004
Aviation Qualifications: ATPL
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From: UK
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 5,658
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From: Canada
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.
Joined: Jul 2016
Aviation Qualifications: PPL
Posts: 226
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From: Broughton, UK
[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.
.
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.
.