Training during this pandemic
 

I have noticed this last week that a helicopter school has commenced training In the East Midlands area. My personal understanding of the government guidelines means that this is difficult/not acceptable. If SkyWise is to be believed only GA is allowed under 3 specific rules, they must be:

• solo flights
• flights where everyone is from the same household
• flights in aircraft where social distancing measures can be maintained - such as tandem cockpits spaced by more than 2 metres, or occupancy of separate parts of the aircraft structure

I have been in small helicopters before and don’t think two meters can be achieved! Even 2inches would be difficult. Just wanting to know others views on this?

I saw the same traffic and wondered what sort of flights they were operating. I think, as has been said elsewhere here, going to the supermarket is probably a higher risk, but that does not mean a dual flight for GA is the right thing to do.

Doesn't one of the companies over that way support national infrastructure inspection flights? They were deemed essential so it might be training associated with that

Seems like a fair amount of flying being done in that area. Can't imagine that is all training related to any essential service contracts. Could be wrong but seems unlikely. I know of two fixed-wing schools who have restarted by merging the instructors and students into 'family groups' in their own accommodation. Fingers crossed we will all be back in the air together soon.

Perhaps the students in the Cabri’s are doing the solo phase of their training?

I can't imagine a school letting a student/s go solo after 8-10 weeks of no flying.

I also heard from some people who were at the airfield this last week that a student was due to go out with an examiner for a PC/Skills Test so I’m led to believe there is definitely training being done.

You may want to look at this thread, especially the later posts that discuss social distancing in commercial helicopters as opposed to HEMS operations.

https://www.pprune.org/rotorheads/63...ronavirus.html

IF
the chance of encountering someone who is contageous is < 1 in 5000
AND IF
the chance of death on catching it is < 1 in 1000
AND IF
the chance of catching it from someone sharing your cockpit is <1

THEN
what is the risk? <10^-6 to 10^-7 ?

should training still be discouraged (banned) or is it a matter for common sense yet?

asking for a friend

Well said Friend

Red Arrows have been training for weeks now

Hi AnFI

The incidence has been 1 in 850 in the UK but varies between regions. The death rate depends on age but is 1-2%. The chance of catching it in an enclosed space, inches apart for an hour, approaches 1

The issue is not the death rate to you but the risk of infecting others so I suggest all that matters is the 1 in 850. What we have seen in hospitals is that people think the risk is low but then we find the incidence is 15% because they have been together day after day. We have no data on flight training but if they do create similar clusters.....Anyhow, whilst it is legal for the instructor and the military are exempt, it remains illegal for the student so not I suggest something we should support

People like you are the problem. they make up the rules to suit themselves and you will support it all the way. Anyone can come up with a bunch of statistics just like you have done, does not mean diddly squit. As for the military being exempt that is even more ridiculous. The Red Arrows are a flying display team, they are allowed yet civilians are not, this just shows what a nonsense the whole thing is. Why are they practising anyway if it all goes to plan and we are not allowed to be in a crowd ever again (the new normal that they talk about) then why do we need aircraft displays?

The Red Arrows are single pilot aircraft.

Strap themselves in these days then, I suppose they service their own aircraft as well

We seem to be moving off the point. Solo flight is fine as is flight in aircraft where social distancing can be maintained! I just feel that training flights in a Cabri is not acceptable and find it very hard anyone can argue any different!

You obviously know very little about Radgirl or what she has been going through recently. I would choose your words more carefully, if I was you.

Agreed,

My daughter handles the HR for the company that are contracted to to supply ambulances and drivers to many NHS trusts around the SE England and like Radgirl has had to deal with unprecedented situations at the frontline, try telling people like them and thousands of others they are the problem!

Having read some of your other posts a favourite word of yours seems to be “tosh” and On this occasion I think it is fair to say that your comments are “UTTER TOSH” And that’s been polite!

Front line? , Yes ok mr Tosh . Don;t forget to read your daily mail tomorrow.