If you're reading this, the new shiny website is live and in its four-week public beta phase! It's been a long and at times somewhat tortuous process, but everyone on the team has worked their socks off to get to this point. A huge thanks from me to...

Well clearly things haven't quite gone to plan!

To cut a long and frustrating story short, testing revealed some problems during data/user/member migration. We've been working on resolving that, and hopefully today will see final testing and...

We're incredibly excited to reveal that, in the next few weeks, FLYER will be moving to a purpose-built digital platform that will offer members our normal great content in a beautiful and easy-to-consume way. If you're not already a member we'd...

We're going digital, we're going free and we're launching The Flyer Club

see the details here!

Ian

Flyer Forum Code of Conduct

At its best, the Flyer Forum continues to be a valuable resource for the General Aviation community

It is a place where flyers of all experience levels can meet to discuss and exchange up-to-date undistorted...

I firmly believe that we are seeing the beginning of a new era in GA regulation - there's never been a better time to make logical, well constructed points, and to influence the future of GA regulation in the UK. I have spoken to the CAA and have...

Just ranting really.

Just going through the process of adding the MEP to my UK CPL. To do this I have to prove that I have over 70 hours PiC of aeroplanes.

Which I had to have umpty years ago to get my CPL, and clearly those hours haven't...

Hi,

My query is, with a Part-FCL PPL(A) issued in the UK in 2022 (ie: post Brexit!), can I still fly to and land in Europe? My understanding is the restriction is on flying EASA registered aircraft, not flying to and landing in EASA territory. Is...

Here’s my tale of woe…..

PPL since 1986 and still current, CPL then ATPL/ IR since 1990 and still current. Originally UK issued but was forced to SOLI to an EU state due to EASA ten years ago as I work for an EU airline - have done so for 24...

I think this falls into the Gold Plate/Red tape topic.

At last I have had confirmation that the Gardan Horizons GY80 in the U.K will be granted Permits to fly and the CAA have asked the LAA to administer the airworthiness on their behalf and make...

Word of warning to anyone up for a medical. Check their prices before you book. My regular AME is no longer practising, so selected a new one from the CAA's website. Usual cost of a Class 2 with ECG, around £250. This bloke, an eye-watering £390!...

I see that G-BLEW mentioned something about it in this month's FLYER.

Use of GPS in lieu of DME/ADF
Whilst RNAV5 has removed the need for en-route NDBs (and VORs), the use of GPS in lieu of DME and ADF should be permitted in the intermediate...

Ok I learn from the recent livestream I have to change my non expiring EASA PPL, to a UK PPL correct?
I have the original non expiring PPL (A) in its pristine brown cover still in my possession, I suppose to think that I can just revert back to that...

So I have lived in the UK for almost 61 years, had a licence for more than 30 years, lots of hours and ratings which require examiner paperwork. I hold a ROCC, the test for which is conducted in English.

I moved house, so to keep things honest and...

We seem to have adopted 1980s French and Iron Curtain style bureaucracy which needs urgent attention.
There is an increase in commercial licence holders wanting sep ratings for perhaps obvious reasons. It is quite incredible how many different forms...

Hi,

Early last year I changed my LAPL medical to a Self Declaration Medical due to lack of access of my GP (ie Covid). I am now thinking of returning to an LAPL medical so that I can fly in Europe (with the permission of the country) later in...

Hey all, sorry to dig this topic back up once again (for the millionth time, I'm sure you're all tired of this) but struggling with the interpretation of privileges for a restricted FI and googling hasn't really helped.

FCL.910 states:
"(a)...

As I've been taught in my PPL theory, the operator-passenger liability limits, which are mentioned in the Montreal Convention, only apply if there is a contract of carriage made before the flight.

In my flying club in Switzerland where I got my PPL...

Hi,

Bloggs has a UK issued EASA PPL(A) with SEP and an LAPL medical . Bloggs wants to fly a G- registered EASA aircraft in an EASA country. Can he?

Most of the guidance I can see talks about what happens post-Brexit if Bloggs has an LAPL...

Obvious question - why not?

Yes, I know that at present a CRI cannot teach for the NQ / NR. But why not, philosophically?

If they meet the same requirements as an FI to be able to teach for the NQ, why shouldn't they? I can see no level on which...

New consultation from the CAA:

CAP1985

This consultation is an opportunity for you to help achieve our ambition of making the UK the best place in the world for general aviation. Successfully delivering our objectives will only be possible if...

I'm amazed by all the paperwork that needs to be completed before and after flying. In this day and age, do we really need to go through all of this?

Much of it, the purpose is entirely unknown to or lost on me.

Much of it is duplicated. (And...

Are some of the stickies within this sub-forum due for retirement? There are 2014 and 2013 stickies that are surely out of date by now?

Rob

Unlicensed airfields should be allowed to be included in the AIP and be permitted to submit NOTAMS.

CAP 793 states:

In accordance with paragraph 1, the aerodrome briefing series of NOTAM (series A) will not be available to unlicensed airports....

When you want to change your address with the CAA you need to complete form SRG2156 you then have to take documentation to be 'certified' by

•the Head of training at your approved training organisation
•the holder of the registration at a...

FI holder without CPL holds a IR which they obtained by converting an FAA to and EASA IR.

Can they get the no instrument restriction lifted from their FI rating and then teach for the IMC or the IR?

I doubt very much anybody will fix this, but I feel the need for a rant.

Like most people, I fly in knots, and plan in nautical miles. Most Brits, French, Americans, etc. etc. etc. all do this.

In Europe, visibility is reported in metres or...

Here’s one for the CAA Red Tape Challenge.....

let’s all push together at the CAA and DEFRA get this idiocy sorted out:

Our dog has a Pet Passport.

We can take him via ferry, EuroTunnel or scheduled airline abroad, and back.

BUT

Despite Oxford...

Until recently it was possible to go NPPL(Microlight) to NPPL(SSEA) to PPL (SEP) and upwards if required.

As we stand today the NPPL(Microlight) or NPPL(SSEA) holder now has to do the whole PPL or LAPL course from scratch. There is no excemption....

Barton AFIS seem to be raising a seriously high amount of MORs recently and I wanted to gauge peoples opinion on this.

For example last year Barton accounted for about 18% of all infringement reports in the UK, the average is about 1.4...

Surprised no-one has picked this up already, but here it is, ahead of Ministerial and CAA presentations at Sywell on Sunday:

At present a suitability qualified FI without CPL TK can teach for the IR.

However for an FI to teach for the IMC rating the CAA state in the INFORMATION NOTICE: IN–2016/082 4.3 part C

"have passed all TK examinations either for the issue of...

Just reading the LAA page on NPPL revalidation.
1: a licence holder with ONE rating, either ssea, slmg or microlight.
12 hrs total, inc 6 hrs in the second year + 1 hour instruction.
If the above is not completed licence endorsed Single Seat Only....

I have recently flown a Cessna 182Q identical to my UK based model, the only difference being it has an N on the side.
It was equipped with a dual G5 fit, GFC 500 three axis autopilot, software for recovery from unusual attitudes, GNSS nav, Alt...

Is such a conversion route possible?

As it would then be easy enough to add a SEP to the UK PPL and then convert to an EASA PPL

We used to use a chipmunk for tailwheel training however due to the huge costs of running such an aircraft it has been placed on a permit and because of the it has actually gone up in valve. Sadly this means we can no longer be used as part of the...

As there are so few aircraft that flying schools can buy and effectively zero tailwheel aircraft that they can buy.

In Ireland the limit is 20 years.

Sent off my application to convert from lifetime PPL to EASA and got it bounced because the (correctly endorsed) ID was a monochrome not colour copy.
Perhaps I've had a sheltered life, but this is a bit of unheralded news to me.

Leaving aside the...

If someone passed me an expired old UK poo brown PPL. I can do training as required, test and then sign their licence and they are good to go.

However if they hand me a new UK PPL in the same format as an EASA one and the rating is on the back of...

Hi, I have been training to obtain my PPL with a flight school in Croatia. I have paid this school up front for flights and training, completed 45 hours flying time including solos, and sat and passed all 9 exams.

When I started the training I flew...

A Class 3 medical for an ATCO over the age of 70 lasts for 12 months, but a FISO medical over the age of 70 (also valid for driving HGV's!) only lasts for 6 months - why?
I would have thought it more important to check on an over 70 ATCO more...

RAF Pershore disused is on track from home to the strip where I keep my aircraft and it continually gripes me to have to avoid overflying it and taking a wide berth.
I fail to understand why the restrictions apply H24 365 days p.a. In the days of...

This has to be done as part of the 10 hour course at an rf/ATO to upgrade to an NPPL/LAPL to a PPL.

Could this requirement not be changed to show logbook evidence? I have now been involved in 4 of these conversions and in every case the pilot had...

I've been trying to work this out from the new ANO and any other sources I can find but I'm afraid I'm still confused. My question is this: if I a co-own aircraft on an EASA permit to fly, can the group allow a non owner to fly the aircraft? This...

Got a phone call the other day. Person asking if I could renew their SEP rating.

I was gobsmacked they actually new what a rating was and they new the difference between renewal and revalidation was.

I was very impressed but then....,

But you...

Woke up to a comment on Facebook about microlights being ousted from Blackbushe!

The reason given is that the CAA will not allow the two to operate from the same airfield.

I call BS.

The current system just doesn’t work. It’s too complicated. For the umpteenth time someone presented me their licence for me to sign only for me to point out to them they are flying illegally. And I would guess that’s the case for about 10% of...

What is the safety case for requiring a skills test to add a microlight rating to my NPPL when I already hold a full PPL with microlight difference training signed off in my logbook?

At present there is no consistency and I suspect no evidence of safety when adding an additional rating to an NPPL.

For instance if you have an NPPL(SLMG) then all you need to do to add an SSEA rating is training as required and the logbook signed...

IN–2016/027 states

"The Temporary Certificate is valid for UK CAA Part-FCL (or JAR FCL) licence holders ONLY"

Am I therefore correct in thinking that this means that it DOES NOT apply to UK national licenses. If that's the case then its...

The requirements for a single engine CPL are 25 hours of dual flight instruction, including 10 hours of instrument instruction and 15 hours of visual flight instruction.

If you hold a BIFM (part of the an IR course) you get an exemption from the 10...

It surely can't be that hard to get PLD to start doing something sensible and issuing a temporary paper licence after a skills test so you can use the privileges of your new licence or rating immediately, rather than having to wait whatever the FCL...

General Aviation Challenge Panel: interim report

Hi all,

The question is in the title!

I see a number of flight examiners who are also nominated at LPEs, but there is nothing on the CAA's website to explain how one goes about becoming a "stand alone" language examiner.

Can anyone...

The form for a PPL skills test SRG2128 fits onto one page. Well the bit you need to send to the CAA fits onto one page.

However for a LAPL SRG2127 the CAA have managed to split it over two pages as the ATO details spill into a second page.

Now if...