Primarily for general aviation discussion, but other aviation topics are also welcome.
  • 1
  • 84
  • 85
  • 86
  • 87
  • 88
  • 120
#1773147
Can people please clarify the context of comments in threads!
For example, just saying "here" or "I popped over to Calais" without clarifying that a) you are in France (insert country here) or b) French (making a big difference to the legality) results in much confusion and possible acrimony :D :D
By johnda
#1773167
malcolmfrost wrote:Can people please clarify the context of comments in threads!
For example, just saying "here" or "I popped over to Calais" without clarifying that a) you are in France (insert country here) or b) French (making a big difference to the legality) results in much confusion and possible acrimony :D :D


Nobody who was actually in France would normally say "I popped OVER to Calais", whereas we Brits coming from England say it all the time because it is OVER the Channel. Someone in France would probably say "I went UP to Calais".

The purpose of my OP was not to confuse but to inform, particularly as Calais has now reopened offficially (since Monday), although the runway was never closed and was always technically open for landings.

I did also clarify that I would not advise anyone to land in France if they could not tick any of the boxes of the French "Attestation de Déplacement International Dérogatoire vers le France Métropolitaine".

All restrictions should be lifted in two weeks' time, unless Baldrick Johnson's cunning plan to stop us travelling actually materializes.
skydriller liked this
#1787560
I have been at at reasonable size airfield recently. I did not see any signs that the people there were Covid-19 secure.
A flying lesson was given with no Covid-19 precautions taken - no santising, no masks, no social distancing. The instructor was a little younger than me (60s or 70s in age).
An aircraft came back from maintenance. Engineer jumped out, no sanitising, stude pilot jumped in, instructor jumped in and off they went, no masks.

I know people moaned about GA getting back into the air but surely we must be taking some precautions? At a smaller airfield, they are still being very careful and very little flying training is taking place (don't know if they wear masks in the cockpit).

Allowing GA to start and flying training to start does not mean we can ignore Covid-19, it means we can start but also take precautions. The lack of anyone doing so at the airfield I visited does not give me confidence that they take care over their flying either.
JAFO liked this
By Gentoo
#1787592
Unless there is a local lockdown then the school can operate and there is no requirement for masks except for passengers.

I don't think it's fair to link what you saw to a lack of care on the flying. They are two different risks, and appetite will differ.

I have been to a flying club recently and I think the risks of COVID transmission are much lower than many other things that are currently allowed (e.g. hairdressers). So if there is a re-opening then it is operating as expected.

..of course if the general re-opening causes a spike, then flight training, hairdressing (without masks) and indoor socialising will likely be shut down again.

In my view if an individual needs to take special precautions they should hold off from flight training for a while longer. But if they are not having to take special care then the government plan is to allow these activities (and others) as part of a phased return to normal.
User avatar
By TLRippon
#1787610
I'm disappointed at the whole "Only Passengers need to wear masks" thing.

It is a totally false concept that the working person is perfectly fine in an environment where social distancing cannot be maintained but the passenger is a risk.

If I were a passenger in a light aircraft I would certainly not want to fly with a pilot from outwith my bubble not wearing a face covering. I would be at risk from them.

If I were a student I certainly wouldn't want to sit next to an FI in a 152, who has been in contact with what could be hundreds of members of the public every month with neither of us wearing a mask.

This is dangerous pushing of the limits and it would seem that the data SAGE is seeing and advising the PM upon is following that path.

We are starting trial lessons again this week, there will be strict precautions in place, temperature checks, social distancing indoors and masks/mitigation in the aircraft. alongside cleaning of the aircraft between every flight. Which is what our school has been doing anyway since July 4th.
kanga, chrisadams, JAFO and 1 others liked this
User avatar
By skydriller
FLYER Club Member  FLYER Club Member
#1806131
So France has locked down again as of Today, 30th October for a month.

Yesterday afternoon our aerodrome was busier than Ive seen it in a long time despite it being a weekday as many tried to get a flight in while they knew they could legally still do so. No guidance from the FFA as yet, but as the only difference to last time is schools remain open, then the expectation was GA is effectively banned except for business flights. I luckily managed to fly a friends aeroplane for him as he will now be effectively trapped abroad as the borders are again closed. Club aeroplanes were flown. Again the clock ticks for GA aeroplanes across france. :|

Authorizations required for leaving the house as before for any reason. :ncool:

What fun. SD.. :(
By Gentoo
#1806320
Not holding my breath but I am hoping that 'currency' flights are allowed for solo pilots.

But given that currency rules are club rules and nobody can really argue it's essential (refresher training/duel check is possible post lockdown) I reckon that many renters going outside of club currency will decide not to bother with a check ride until post winter and just take a break from flying.
User avatar
By TheFarmer
FLYER Club Member  FLYER Club Member
#1806345
Everyone has learned a lot about being COVID safe, but that won’t stop BJ locking the country down until 01/12/20, because what everyone has learned clearly hasn’t worked!
By Gentoo
#1806361
Work places remain open and so do schools.

I have a feeling that the interpretation will be that commercial training only is allowed

..and private hire probably not as it's a non essential journey.

On the other hand though, a flying club isn't non-essential retail and isn't really a 'journey' in the sense meant in the travel ban.

So could be allowed to save furlough costs
JAFO liked this
  • 1
  • 84
  • 85
  • 86
  • 87
  • 88
  • 120