UK Instrument Rated Private Pilot and Instrument Flight Instructor
COVID-19 restrictions currently allow me to fly solo or with household members, and today’s flight in my TB20 from Gloucester was intended to help keep me current until flight instruction resumes. After checking which airfields were open, I decided on a double landaway at Blackpool and Sherburn-in-Elmet. I’d also transit overhead several regional airports to get a view of their level of activity. I did phone Manchester ATC to see
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The COVID situation currently allows me to fly my aircraft in England solo or with members of my household. Many clubs have reopened to permit such flights for their more experienced members but there is no airborne flight instruction. The government advise against non-essential travel abroad. Recreational flights (except for engine health, maintenance etc.) are not yet permitted in Scotland or Wales. So as much as I’d love to fly
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The UK government has relaxed lockdown regulations in England which now permit solo flights optionally with members of your own household. Flight instruction is not allowed although a few commercial schools have found a workaround by locking down both instructor and students in their own household bubbles, sharing accommodation as well as training facilities, but all CPL/IR skill tests have been suspended. Engine Health Flights During the interim, AOPA UK
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What quality and depth of scenery do you need when using a Flight Simulator for real-world flight training and currency? I’ve been investigating how to make use of X-Plane for my own currency as well as instructing at a club or flight school. I’m also adopting the term BATD (Basic Aviation Training Device) to distinguish my purpose from Flight Simulator more often associated with computer games, whether that’s the case
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There is quite a difference between gaming, so-called “Simtertainement” and training. The former might want the widest screens, fantastic visual graphics and simple but easy control. The latter may only require a limited panel, but may benefit from more switches, buttons and knobs resembling the aircraft you will fly. A full physical mock-up of the cockpit, with full instrument panel layout, rudder pedals and yoke all would all seem to
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During this period of enforced downtime, I’ve been researching the options and capabilities of flight simulators. I’m a believer that wider use of Flight Simulators in the right context should allow students to progress more efficiently and effectively – reducing the flight time/cost to gain a licence or rating, reducing the elapsed time because it can be done in all weathers, and perhaps even increasing the scope and range of
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During the current crisis, there has been a stream of notices, advice and guidance from the CAA, EASA and pilot organisations. It can be difficult to filter out the specific issues that affect private pilots, i.e. those with PPL, LAPL etc. and also spot what’s missing. It’s very easy to mix these up with derogations for commercial pilots. The CAA provided some exemption guidance in a simpler and easier to
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I got the chance to attend a monthly meeting of the UK Airprox board which I accepted. The board has offices and a permanent staff based at RAF Northolt in north east London. The meetings start at 9am promptly, so its either a very early start to drive there or staying overnight nearby. The meeting room was the size of a small dance hall, with about thirty seats laid out
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Subtitle: Automatic flight calendar display for flying club office Using a Raspberry Pi to display a webpage with current bookings onscreen but only when people are in the office. Knowing exactly which aircraft are booked and when they are next required is really helpful at a flying club. The calendar changes constantly depending on weather, technical problems and pilot/student availability. Many clubs, like ours, have an online booking system that
Continue readingVFR Cross-Channel Groundschool course dates for 2020 published. Book your tickets today! This year capitalised on my recently acquired instructor qualifications, ranging from first flights with potential new PPL pilots through Night Ratings, IMC Ratings to full Instrument Ratings. PPL instructing has generally been quite good fun, working with enthusiastic capable students who don’t seem to mind flying older PA28 aircraft. CB-IR courses have almost all been in the student’s
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