Lock Down Affect on GA ???
 

Any rumours as to whether the lockdown starting on Thursday will restrict GA this time ?

I consider maintaining my currency as essential.

As of yesterday it seems there is little clarity ... from AOPA Instructors update email:
OC619

Can you fly 3 circuits before Thursday?

I got the sad email last night from Redhill that the airfield is to close from midnight tomorrow (until when ever the lockdown is lifted) with the exception of Air Ambulance and Police helicopters.

Fortunately the forecast for tomorrow is good and the aeroplane available. As I only work 80% coz of Covid, I'll just swap my week about a bit.

From the LAA: Tuesday 3rd November 13:30

FLYING DURING THE LOCKDOWN PERIOD

The LAA position, which we are advocating to DfT and the CAA, is that there is no safety reason why an LAA member should not fly, either to maintain pilot currency or to maintain aircraft serviceability. If a flight is solo, or with a passenger from their social ‘bubble’ and from ‘A-to-A’ then there is minimal additional COVID risk provided ‘hands, face and space’ precautions are taken on the ground.
The risks posed by losing flying currency are arguably greater. In July, at the end of the first lockdown the CAA identified the primary risk to pilots as ‘Skill Fade’, from private pilots to instructors and commercial. Even though most private pilots are cautious and there is greater risk in areas such as infringement rather than direct accident risk, maintaining flying currency is an important safety asset.
However, we recognise that public perception is a major challenge and we therefore recommend discretion in carrying out flights at this time. It should also be noted that movement restrictions, which differ from England in the devolved administrations, may affect travel and access to airfields.

We also note recent advice from the Secretary of State for Transport that “flying training and tests are not allowed during the lockdown, the same as driving lessons and tests. Airfields are allowed to stay open and hiring of aircraft is okay so long as it is for one of the reasons you are allowed to leave home”. LAA Pilot Coaching activities will therefore be suspended for the month ahead.

Until the law is passed, the Gov.uk guidelines state

It seems therefore that Mr Shapps PPL is correct and I suspect very very few people will be able to justify GA flights. I agree with the LAA, and unlike March I have doubts about the data, but the law is the law.

I'll tell you what. You do what you do and I will do what I will do. No pedantic nit picking of grammar, No "I am a better person for giving myself a flogging"
Airfields are allowed to stay open, not for Chicken racing, I suspect.
Flying regularly is not only good for mental health, it's also good for muscle memory, currency and experience.
During the last 12 months, due to bad weather and Cyrus the Virus I would suggest that the great majority of Pilots have flown less than 1/2 their normal hours. I believe there is no coincidence in the number of incidents in the last few months.
I don't intend to flaunt my flying to pxxs off the public, but will continue to fly as I believe it's essential for my and other people's safety.
Please play the Holier than thou card as much as you wish.

Goodness ak7274, I posted an objective analysis of the rules in response to OP's initial question. I then said I didnt support them. Your aggressive and unpleasant response is inappropriate. I really do advise you not to behave like that when flying. And no, I dont want to engage further with you. Anyway, might not be wise to tell everyone your intentions on a public bulletin board if you intend to break the law.

Steady on posters, let's respect each other's realities. The opportunities are perhaps a little different for each of us in respect of flying in these times. I'm sure that we each respect the public policies as best we can, and maintain our careers and pastimes as best we can after that.

Once again the written word is taken in the wrong context as being overly aggressive. That was not my intention and I apologise if anyone took it that way.
I will continue to fly to maintain my currency, although not as much as out of lockdown.
I will continue to fly revalidation flights too. This is in no small part due to the increase in incidents post lockdown, when pilots returned to flying low on currency and flying skills. If 50 instructors fly the "One hour with an Instructor" and just one anonymous Pilot is saved from embarrassment at best, then it's worth it to me.
I hope this post is taken in the way I meant it. As if spoken across a table of 4 or 5 when not too much wine has been consumed.
Again I am sorry it was taken the way it was and on reflection, I can understand it.

Please will somebody (BB?) provide an authoritative reference for the Shapps quote?
So according to the Govt website one can go fishing with one friend but not play tennis, or even play golf alone. Confused? Certainly ill thought through...

The reference from the Secretary of State was through a Tweet by the Liaison Officer of the APPG for GA. The LAA incorporated it into their response. I'm not aware of the source to Grant Shapps directly.
The actual legislation governing this lock down is readable here:

The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (England) (No. 4) Regulations 2020

The more simplified guidance is here:

New National Restrictions from 5 November

From the regulations linked to BoeingBoy’s post an exemption exists which allows you to leave your home for the purpose of “training”, so there is no reason that student pilots cannot attend a flying school or club for that purpose. At the same time flying instructors and other flying school staff can travel to work, as they cannot reasonably work from home.
That being the case why do flying schools have to close for PPL or other training ?

Thanks, BB.
So I can’t take my sailing dinghy out on my local deserted lake, as was allowed before GA started up again on 4th July. But no mention of airfields....guess it is all a matter of interpretation.
if my home airfield stays open I can justify currency flying, in my group- owned aircraft , as I am a professional aviator who needs to maintain currency...ergo I can drive to and from the airfield. I think.

The legislation contains so little information in relation to GA that unless the DofT tell the CAA what they want we're all going to be interpreting things our own way.
The rules banning gatherings of two or more outdoors (notwithstanding family and support exemptions) preclude training and self fly hire is covered by business' hiring propelled machinery closing under paragraph 26 of Part 2 (Other Business') Schedule 2

My aeroplane..well, 20% of it, so no question of hiring. Just a question of whether the airfield is allowed to provide service of getting it out and in the hangar, and staying open for movements. Gas is self-service.
yes, guidance from CAA would be useful, but will somebody there stick their head above the parapet..?

The CAA will simply quote whatever the DofT tell them. No one at the CAA has the authority to legislate on the matter so 'guidance' is the best we can hope for.

Game over Gentlemen. Engine health and urgent licence rating renewals only.

UK GA Guidance

Here we go again.

Guidance is not the law.

You must follow the law.

It is up to you whether you follow the guidance.

Guidance should not be confused with the law.

Although I do fear it may be game over anyway.

It is not up to you, the law says you must stay at home without a reasonable excuse and GA has been not been deemed to be such an excuse.