Post by PB on Nov 5, 2020 11:46:19 GMT
The Department for Transport have now released their guidance for pilots during ‘Lockdown 2’:
National Restrictions and General Aviation
National restrictions are in place in England to reduce day-to-day contact between people and help stop the spread of coronavirus.
Private pilots should not undertake any sport or leisure flying, in line with the requirement to stay at home without reasonable excuse.
General Aviation (GA) flying for the purposes of work, where it is not reasonably possible to work or provide those services at home, is permitted. Social distancing measures should be in place and observed at all times.
We recommend that flight training for private pilots not continue while the national restrictions are in place.
Flying training organisations providing training for professional pilots may continue to do so, and students undertaking such activity may continue to attend for these purposes. Social distancing measures should be in place and observed at all times.
Engine health and maintenance check flights and flights to maintain currency only, that would otherwise lapse during the planned lockdown period, should only be conducted where there is an urgent requirement to do so, and alternative options are not available.
Such flights, where conducted, must be kept to the minimum duration possible and should land at the same airfield from which they departed. The CAA has published advice on maintenance flights - under the heading ‘GA maintenance check flights’.
See: www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-general-aviation/coronavirus-covid-19-general-aviation
AERODROME OPENING HOURS FROM THUR 5 NOV
On Thursday 5th November, Blackbushe will be open from 07:00 until 16:58 local (SS+30) to accommodate flights that are permitted in accordance with the above DfT guidance and as listed below.
From Friday 6th November, aerodrome hours will be variable based on bookings received.
All operators are required to use the web booking PPR form to book their flights the day before so that staff coverage can be planned. Whilst we will endeavour to support all flights that need us, flight requests received on the day will be subject to staff availability and response times.
A NOTAM has been issued to this effect.
TYPES OF FLIGHT THAT MAY USE BLACKBUSHE
MEDICAL, SURVEY, and PUBLIC TRANSPORT FLIGHTS
Like during the last lockdown, we will continue to provide a service to these flights, with PPR.
CPL / ATPL Flight Training
Throughout the last Lockdown, CPL training at other aerodromes such as Bournemouth and Oxford continued, with COVID-Secure measures in place. Some of the flying schools at Blackbushe offer CPL training, and it is our understanding that this is permitted to continue.
FLIGHTS TO/FROM A MAINTENANCE FACILITY
Aircraft requiring maintenance may be flown to/from maintenance facilities, subject to PPR with Blackbushe and obviously subject to the other aerodrome being open.
Engine Health Flights
These must be agreed with the Aerodrome Manager in advance, and should only be completed where absolutely necessary and in accordance with the EHF rules. IT is anticipated that we will not need to support such flights until early December as there has been ample warning for pilots to ensure their aircraft flew before the Lockdown.
types of flight that may not use blackbushe
gENERAL Recreational Flying
As per the above DfT guidance, this constitutes leaving home without a reasonable excuse and will not be permitted from 00:01 on Thursday 5th November 2020.
PPL Flight Training
As per the above DfT guidance, this will not be permitted from 00:01 on Thursday 5th November 2020.
General Public Access
The gates will be open when flights are operating, and also when the NHS-Drive-Through Flu Vaccine centre is open. However, members of the public not engaged in flying are asked not to come to the site.
We will continue to update this page as and when guidance is received from DfT / CAA.
