Sun Jan 02, 2022 8:09 pm
#1891274
As we start another year and hopefully exit virus problems, I think it is a good idea to counter some of the doom and ‘it was always so better in the old days’ merchants; so I thought I’d start some thoughts on things that are great and good about U.K. GA and what is positive for the future:
Flight planning and navigation has never been easier and the capability of what you can do with an app on your tablet is simply amazing compared to even a few years ago.
Flight training booking and aircraft management can be done instantly on your phone; gone are the days of ringing around and paper diaries.
Most of the smoke filled, misogynistic and often downright unfriendly clubrooms have been confined to history; still some way to go but the U.K. pilot community is generally a friendly and open one.
Pilots can instantly access discussion, views and advice in a variety of formats on their phone.
There are a number of vibrant, financially stable and forward looking associations looking after our community; allied to some active media outlets.
We can now access a range of really good safety information, webinars and workshops for free on our phones and tablets.
Alternative power sources are here now and are only going to get better and more accessible.
There are still large swathes of open airspace across the U.K. - lobbying for our airspace needs is actively done and quickly mobilised.
We have effective and affordable electronic conspicuity capabilities - the technology is still getting better each iteration.
So just a few to start - yes you can argue the toss about all the above, but next time you get the ‘everything is Carp, it all used to be far better’ speech kicking off in the clubroom perhaps we owe it to our students and prospective pilots to challenge a bit?
Flight planning and navigation has never been easier and the capability of what you can do with an app on your tablet is simply amazing compared to even a few years ago.
Flight training booking and aircraft management can be done instantly on your phone; gone are the days of ringing around and paper diaries.
Most of the smoke filled, misogynistic and often downright unfriendly clubrooms have been confined to history; still some way to go but the U.K. pilot community is generally a friendly and open one.
Pilots can instantly access discussion, views and advice in a variety of formats on their phone.
There are a number of vibrant, financially stable and forward looking associations looking after our community; allied to some active media outlets.
We can now access a range of really good safety information, webinars and workshops for free on our phones and tablets.
Alternative power sources are here now and are only going to get better and more accessible.
There are still large swathes of open airspace across the U.K. - lobbying for our airspace needs is actively done and quickly mobilised.
We have effective and affordable electronic conspicuity capabilities - the technology is still getting better each iteration.
So just a few to start - yes you can argue the toss about all the above, but next time you get the ‘everything is Carp, it all used to be far better’ speech kicking off in the clubroom perhaps we owe it to our students and prospective pilots to challenge a bit?
Posts are personal views only.