Post by PB on Dec 31, 2020 11:20:11 GMT
This news posted on the Blackbushe Airport website today, 31 December, 2020.....
At some point on 30th December, the wording of the DfT Guidance to aviation for Tier 4 was subtly changed. The publication date has not been altered. The guidance previously stated:
Private pilots can only take part in sport or leisure activities where they take place in the open air – this can be alone, with their household, support bubble, or, when alone, with one person from another household. This should be done locally wherever possible, but you can travel a short distance within your Tier 4 area to do so if necessary, for example, to access an open space. Social distancing measures should be in place and observed at all times.
It now states:
Private pilots can only take part in sport or leisure activities where they take place in an aircraft that is open to the air, i.e. not in an enclosed cockpit.
This can be alone, with their household, support bubble, or, when alone, with one person from another household.
It is clear therefore that effective immediately, recreational GA may not continue.
Revised Operational Information for Blackbushe
Airport Opening Hours
Blackbushe Airport will continue to remain available for any flights that are permitted under the regulations and guidance, but this will be by strict PPR. We will remain closed unless there is a confirmed booking.
For medical, survey, and public transport flights, we will remain available for “go-now” requests. This will be with 3 hours minimum notice. Any requests made overnight must be made by telephone and the earliest opening will be 09:30 local the following morning.
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. Such flights must be booked by 17:30 the day before.
FLIGHTS TO/FROM A place of work
Such flights will only be permitted where, in the airport’s opinion, the flight is necessary as the journey is extremely difficult to complete by other means. For example, flights to the Channel Islands, or flights of such a distance that a round trip could not be made by car in the same day. The airport manager’s decision is final.
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. Such flights should only be flown single pilot (or with people from the same household). “Chase” aircraft may not be used to ferry pilots.
ENGINE HEALTH FLIGHTS
These must be agreed with the Aerodrome Manager in advance, and should only be completed where absolutely necessary (28 days have passed since the aircraft’s last flight) and in accordance with the EHF rules. Such flights must depart and land at Blackbushe and must not land away.
CURRENCY FLIGHTS
Where a pilot has a licence or rating that is due to expire, they may undertake a flight to maintain their licence or rating. Where a licence or rating has already expired, we will not support the renewal of those licenses or ratings at this time.
Wherever possible Currency Flights / Engine Health Flights / Maintenance Flights should be conducted at the same time to reduce the number of flights undertaken.
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 whilst Blackbushe Airport remains in Tier 4.
PPL FLIGHT TRAINING
As per the above DfT guidance, this will not be permitted whilst Blackbushe Airport remains in Tier 4.
OTHER TYPES OF FLIGHTS
All other flights will be considered by the aerodrome management on a case by case basis. Please use the PPR form to make a request.
At The Airport
Hands - Face - Space
Hands: wash your hands regularly and for 20 seconds
Face: wear a face covering in indoor settings where social distancing may be difficult, and where you will come into contact with people you do not normally meet
Space: stay 2 metres apart from people you do not live with where possible, or 1 metre with extra precautions in place (such as wearing face coverings)
GENERAL PUBLIC ACCESS
The gates will be open on a variable timetable. Members of the public not engaged in flying are asked not to come to the site, and not to use the car park for walking on the common, as they may return to find their vehicle locked in.
At some point on 30th December, the wording of the DfT Guidance to aviation for Tier 4 was subtly changed. The publication date has not been altered. The guidance previously stated:
Private pilots can only take part in sport or leisure activities where they take place in the open air – this can be alone, with their household, support bubble, or, when alone, with one person from another household. This should be done locally wherever possible, but you can travel a short distance within your Tier 4 area to do so if necessary, for example, to access an open space. Social distancing measures should be in place and observed at all times.
It now states:
Private pilots can only take part in sport or leisure activities where they take place in an aircraft that is open to the air, i.e. not in an enclosed cockpit.
This can be alone, with their household, support bubble, or, when alone, with one person from another household.
It is clear therefore that effective immediately, recreational GA may not continue.
Revised Operational Information for Blackbushe
Airport Opening Hours
Blackbushe Airport will continue to remain available for any flights that are permitted under the regulations and guidance, but this will be by strict PPR. We will remain closed unless there is a confirmed booking.
For medical, survey, and public transport flights, we will remain available for “go-now” requests. This will be with 3 hours minimum notice. Any requests made overnight must be made by telephone and the earliest opening will be 09:30 local the following morning.
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. Such flights must be booked by 17:30 the day before.
FLIGHTS TO/FROM A place of work
Such flights will only be permitted where, in the airport’s opinion, the flight is necessary as the journey is extremely difficult to complete by other means. For example, flights to the Channel Islands, or flights of such a distance that a round trip could not be made by car in the same day. The airport manager’s decision is final.
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. Such flights should only be flown single pilot (or with people from the same household). “Chase” aircraft may not be used to ferry pilots.
ENGINE HEALTH FLIGHTS
These must be agreed with the Aerodrome Manager in advance, and should only be completed where absolutely necessary (28 days have passed since the aircraft’s last flight) and in accordance with the EHF rules. Such flights must depart and land at Blackbushe and must not land away.
CURRENCY FLIGHTS
Where a pilot has a licence or rating that is due to expire, they may undertake a flight to maintain their licence or rating. Where a licence or rating has already expired, we will not support the renewal of those licenses or ratings at this time.
Wherever possible Currency Flights / Engine Health Flights / Maintenance Flights should be conducted at the same time to reduce the number of flights undertaken.
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 whilst Blackbushe Airport remains in Tier 4.
PPL FLIGHT TRAINING
As per the above DfT guidance, this will not be permitted whilst Blackbushe Airport remains in Tier 4.
OTHER TYPES OF FLIGHTS
All other flights will be considered by the aerodrome management on a case by case basis. Please use the PPR form to make a request.
At The Airport
Hands - Face - Space
Hands: wash your hands regularly and for 20 seconds
Face: wear a face covering in indoor settings where social distancing may be difficult, and where you will come into contact with people you do not normally meet
Space: stay 2 metres apart from people you do not live with where possible, or 1 metre with extra precautions in place (such as wearing face coverings)
GENERAL PUBLIC ACCESS
The gates will be open on a variable timetable. Members of the public not engaged in flying are asked not to come to the site, and not to use the car park for walking on the common, as they may return to find their vehicle locked in.