How many airfields are open in England
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Down at the sharp pointy end, where all the weather is made.
Age: 74
Posts: 1,684
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes
on
3 Posts
1st question:
One way to find out would be to open a popular ADS-B/Mode-S mapping application and sit and watch it for some hours. Let us know how you get on.
I know of aerodromes that are NOTAM'd closed which are allowing specific movements depending on circumstances. Therefore, the question is almost impossible to answer, really. .
2nd question
Hardly any, probably. I know of a couple for commercial schools which were very late to suspend ops, but using method as above (until I got bored) hasn't shown any activity recently. Concentrate on the popular commercial training aerodromes in your search. All the smaller PPL outfits, as far as I'm aware, are waiting patiently until someone comes up with a viable way of protecting their customers.
TOO
One way to find out would be to open a popular ADS-B/Mode-S mapping application and sit and watch it for some hours. Let us know how you get on.
I know of aerodromes that are NOTAM'd closed which are allowing specific movements depending on circumstances. Therefore, the question is almost impossible to answer, really. .
2nd question
Hardly any, probably. I know of a couple for commercial schools which were very late to suspend ops, but using method as above (until I got bored) hasn't shown any activity recently. Concentrate on the popular commercial training aerodromes in your search. All the smaller PPL outfits, as far as I'm aware, are waiting patiently until someone comes up with a viable way of protecting their customers.
TOO
Join Date: May 2010
Location: UK
Age: 79
Posts: 1,086
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
There is no way to keep a good distance between instructor and student in a small aircraft but if used properly masks and gloves as well as carefull cleaning should bring the risks down to reasonable levels.
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2001
Location: Escrick York england
Posts: 1,676
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Looks like they will all be open for private flying soon as the government have NOW issued their advisory That private flying is allowed but with distancing rules
Hi MD600, do you have a link to that information. I find the following to be useful..
https://notaminfo.com/ukmap
and Spot the gliders!
as well as FR24, obviously.
.
https://notaminfo.com/ukmap
and Spot the gliders!
as well as FR24, obviously.
.
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2001
Location: Escrick York england
Posts: 1,676
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
UPDATED Recreational General Aviation Covid-19 Guidance Date: 15 May 2020
Recreational flying
Updated government coronavirus advice means that recreational GA flying is now allowed:
• from English airfields
• if social distancing measures are strictly observed
In practice this means solo flights only or flights where everyone is from the same household. This is because observing social distancing during a GA flight is not generally possible.
Recreational general aviation is currently still not allowed in Scotland, Northern Ireland or Wales.
Why is some GA flying being permitted in England?
The government has stated that from Wednesday, some sports, in which it is possible to observe social distancing, will be permitted. The Government takes the view that recreational General Aviation is a permissible recreational sport and, from Wednesday, it can also be undertaken in a manner consistent with guidance on staying safe outside the home.
Regrettably, this excludes most training flights, as social distancing measures require people not in the same household to maintain two metres of separation. While these flights are a key source of income for many aerodromes, they cannot presently be
undertaken in a way that reduces the risk of Covid-19 transmission to an acceptable level.
Whilst noting that online training and socially-distanced training on the ground can take place, the inability to undertake training flights will mean that some pilots will not be able to resume flying until further easing of restrictions is possible. We advise those affected in this way to monitor this page and wider government guidance for further updates.
Reopening of airfields in England
Updated government advice actively encourages people to go to work where it is not possible to work from home. This advice applies to aerodrome operators, with guidance for transport operators having been published on 11 May. However, the question of
1
whether any individual aerodrome should open (or reopen) remains a business decision for aerodrome operators to take. While some GA operations are now permitted under current guidance, aerodrome operators are best placed to decide whether opening is in their best interest, either from a commercial or health and safety standpoint, including their ability to maintain safe socially-distancing consistent with current PHE guidance. 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.
GA Maintenance Check Flights
The CAA has published advice on maintenance flights under the above heading at
https://www.caa.co.uk/Our-work/Newsr...ommercial-and-
recreational-aviation/. This advice applies throughout the UK.
Maintenance workshops
Workshops which carry out essential maintenance are entitled to continue throughout the UK (in line with guidance regarding car workshops) provided PHE guidance is followed:
• follow social distancing advice
• frequently clean and disinfect objects and surfaces that are touched regularly, using your standard cleaning products
Communications for English airfields
Aerodrome operators and others involved in GA are encouraged to enter into a dialogue with local communities to ensure that the easing of restrictions on GA activity are explained to and understood not just by the GA community, but also by the general public – particularly those living near to airfields. This is to avoid people becoming concerned by the gradual increase in airfield activity. However, the onus is also on pilots to act responsibly, for example by avoiding noise-sensitive and built-up areas.
Both the CAA and stakeholder organisations within the GA community are valuable sources of information about managing the challenges of flying in the current environment, and members of the community are encouraged to consult both for more detailed advice and guidance where applicable. The CAA's advice and tips for a safe return to flying can be found here. [link to be updated]
Other forms of General Aviation throughout the UK
Search and rescue operations and some GA activity, for instance where it absolutely necessary to fly to or for work, are exempted from the above conditions on shared cockpit operations. In all of these activities, we expect pilots and operators to be socially responsible in the decisions they make, and to apply social distancing guidelines as far as possible.
Air traffic management
Pilots resuming recreational GA activity are asked to be mindful that air traffic services are still limited, with NATS trying to reduce non-essential activities, including services
2
to GA. This is to ensure the resilience of the critical air traffic management services while complying with current guidance by not having more people on site than necessary.
While most GA activity occurs outside of controlled airspace, and therefore does not involve NATS, pilots should therefore be mindful of the strain their activity places on other essential services.
The lower airspace radar services which NATS provide are also offered on a when possible basis, so could be turned off if necessary. Similarly, access to Class D could also be simply refused by the relevant air navigation service provider if it has to prioritise other airspace users.
Return to business as usual
The general aviation sector is an important contributor to skills, jobs and growth. This government is committed to helping this important STEM sector back on its feet after restrictions are lifted.
The GA team in the Department for Transport is well aware of the structural threat this period poses to recreational GA, including with regards to flight training (given that training flights are not currently possible due to directions on social distancing). We are therefore working closely with the sector to mitigate any long term negative consequences. Similarly, we are taking steps to ensure that when it is safe to do so, we will continue to fully support the GA sector.
3
Recreational flying
Updated government coronavirus advice means that recreational GA flying is now allowed:
• from English airfields
• if social distancing measures are strictly observed
In practice this means solo flights only or flights where everyone is from the same household. This is because observing social distancing during a GA flight is not generally possible.
Recreational general aviation is currently still not allowed in Scotland, Northern Ireland or Wales.
Why is some GA flying being permitted in England?
The government has stated that from Wednesday, some sports, in which it is possible to observe social distancing, will be permitted. The Government takes the view that recreational General Aviation is a permissible recreational sport and, from Wednesday, it can also be undertaken in a manner consistent with guidance on staying safe outside the home.
Regrettably, this excludes most training flights, as social distancing measures require people not in the same household to maintain two metres of separation. While these flights are a key source of income for many aerodromes, they cannot presently be
undertaken in a way that reduces the risk of Covid-19 transmission to an acceptable level.
Whilst noting that online training and socially-distanced training on the ground can take place, the inability to undertake training flights will mean that some pilots will not be able to resume flying until further easing of restrictions is possible. We advise those affected in this way to monitor this page and wider government guidance for further updates.
Reopening of airfields in England
Updated government advice actively encourages people to go to work where it is not possible to work from home. This advice applies to aerodrome operators, with guidance for transport operators having been published on 11 May. However, the question of
1
whether any individual aerodrome should open (or reopen) remains a business decision for aerodrome operators to take. While some GA operations are now permitted under current guidance, aerodrome operators are best placed to decide whether opening is in their best interest, either from a commercial or health and safety standpoint, including their ability to maintain safe socially-distancing consistent with current PHE guidance. 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.
GA Maintenance Check Flights
The CAA has published advice on maintenance flights under the above heading at
https://www.caa.co.uk/Our-work/Newsr...ommercial-and-
recreational-aviation/. This advice applies throughout the UK.
Maintenance workshops
Workshops which carry out essential maintenance are entitled to continue throughout the UK (in line with guidance regarding car workshops) provided PHE guidance is followed:
• follow social distancing advice
• frequently clean and disinfect objects and surfaces that are touched regularly, using your standard cleaning products
Communications for English airfields
Aerodrome operators and others involved in GA are encouraged to enter into a dialogue with local communities to ensure that the easing of restrictions on GA activity are explained to and understood not just by the GA community, but also by the general public – particularly those living near to airfields. This is to avoid people becoming concerned by the gradual increase in airfield activity. However, the onus is also on pilots to act responsibly, for example by avoiding noise-sensitive and built-up areas.
Both the CAA and stakeholder organisations within the GA community are valuable sources of information about managing the challenges of flying in the current environment, and members of the community are encouraged to consult both for more detailed advice and guidance where applicable. The CAA's advice and tips for a safe return to flying can be found here. [link to be updated]
Other forms of General Aviation throughout the UK
Search and rescue operations and some GA activity, for instance where it absolutely necessary to fly to or for work, are exempted from the above conditions on shared cockpit operations. In all of these activities, we expect pilots and operators to be socially responsible in the decisions they make, and to apply social distancing guidelines as far as possible.
Air traffic management
Pilots resuming recreational GA activity are asked to be mindful that air traffic services are still limited, with NATS trying to reduce non-essential activities, including services
2
to GA. This is to ensure the resilience of the critical air traffic management services while complying with current guidance by not having more people on site than necessary.
While most GA activity occurs outside of controlled airspace, and therefore does not involve NATS, pilots should therefore be mindful of the strain their activity places on other essential services.
The lower airspace radar services which NATS provide are also offered on a when possible basis, so could be turned off if necessary. Similarly, access to Class D could also be simply refused by the relevant air navigation service provider if it has to prioritise other airspace users.
Return to business as usual
The general aviation sector is an important contributor to skills, jobs and growth. This government is committed to helping this important STEM sector back on its feet after restrictions are lifted.
The GA team in the Department for Transport is well aware of the structural threat this period poses to recreational GA, including with regards to flight training (given that training flights are not currently possible due to directions on social distancing). We are therefore working closely with the sector to mitigate any long term negative consequences. Similarly, we are taking steps to ensure that when it is safe to do so, we will continue to fully support the GA sector.
3
Hi MD600, do you have a link to that information. I find the following to be useful..
https://notaminfo.com/ukmap
and Spot the gliders!
as well as FR24, obviously.
.
https://notaminfo.com/ukmap
and Spot the gliders!
as well as FR24, obviously.
.
Presumably Instructional flights will follow soon. A mate has been flying his airliner to and fro across the Atlantic during C19. You can’t social distance with two/three or more locked on the flight deck. No 14 day Isolation/ arrival checks required.
If it’s an acceptable risk for 7/11 hours, I can’t see that an hour or so in a Cessna150 be deemed any riskier. Perhaps a mask in case the hay fever intervenes.
If it’s an acceptable risk for 7/11 hours, I can’t see that an hour or so in a Cessna150 be deemed any riskier. Perhaps a mask in case the hay fever intervenes.
Rostering dependent, your friend has most likely been sharing the flight deck with a limited number of colleagues on the limited number of sectors they fly per month.
An instructor in a Cessna might be rubbing shoulders with multiple students per day, multiple days of the week. Their exposure is much greater and increases not only the risk to the instructor, but the risk of community transmission. That is the problem.
An instructor in a Cessna might be rubbing shoulders with multiple students per day, multiple days of the week. Their exposure is much greater and increases not only the risk to the instructor, but the risk of community transmission. That is the problem.
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: UK
Posts: 166
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
We sent our students flying to Shobdon today on one of their first cross country flights. Feedback was good and they appear to welcome visitors.
We are running training flights there on Thursday to use the circuit so overall very impressed.
The students were very happy to get back in the air, and Shobdon were happy for the landing fees I assume.
We are running training flights there on Thursday to use the circuit so overall very impressed.
The students were very happy to get back in the air, and Shobdon were happy for the landing fees I assume.
