Spring is now upon us and it’s time to start thinking about returning to flying! If you’ve had the winter off, we’re here to guide you through the important things to consider before getting back into your aircraft. For this episode we’re joined by James Shipp and Tom Gravett from the CAA General Aviation Unit to discuss pilot currency, aircraft airworthiness and airfield conditions. If you have any feedback or suggestions for areas that you’d like us to cover in this podcast, please get in touch at gapodcast@caa.co.uk. Related information Safety Animation – Returning to flying, pre flig ..read more

As the temperatures drop in the winter months, there are a number of challenges that come with flying in cold and unpredictable conditions. For this episode, we’re joined by Joe Hadley and Richard Crockett from the CAA General Aviation Unit to cover the intricacies of winter flying. If you have any feedback or suggestions for areas that you’d like us to cover in this podcast, please get in touch at gapodcast@caa.co.uk. Related links: Winter flying | Civil Aviation Authority The Skyway Code | Civil Aviation Authority (caa.co.uk) Flying in Winter - YouTube Safety Sense Leaflet: Winter Flyi ..read more

In this episode, we talk with the CAA’s policy lead on our project on cost sharing, we hear an update from Ed Bellamy on the Safety Sense Leaflet project and our latest published documents including Piston Engine Icing. We also talk with Justin Willcocks on good flight planning preparation along with references to advice and guidance and how to use the radio. Updates and resources mentioned in this episode: Cost sharing flights | Civil Aviation Authority (caa.co.uk) Safety Sense Leaflets | Civil Aviation Authority (caa.co.uk) SSL: Aerodrome sense Clued Up: Unstable Approaches Clued Up: Reject ..read more

We chat about the latest on our active carbon monoxide detector project. In particular our latest survey which we launched at AeroExpo in June. We also hear from members of the GA community on their thoughts on what sort of carbon monoxide detector they fly with and why. If you have any feedback or suggestions for areas that you’d like us to cover in this podcast, please get in touch at gapodcast@caa.co.uk. Related links: General Aviation Pilot Survey - Flying with Active Carbon Monoxide Detectors 2023 Further information on the work of the CAA on Carbon Monoxide is available via our web ..read more

We speak with Dave Boxall, Chief Airworthiness Engineer at Cameron Balloons on their recent adventure with Red Bull on the Don’t Look Down project. You'll hear how this project came to be and the amazing adventure these organisations went on to get the balloon into the air. Kriss Kyle, Scottish BMX Pro said: “I’ve had to push past my fears several times before on Red Bull projects, but nothing has compared to this. Riding my BMX at 2,000ft, you’re so high up it almost doesn’t feel real anymore. I trusted the crew with my life, and wouldn’t have been able to do it without the help of Cameron Ba ..read more

One of our infringement specialists talks to Chris Sellen, a member of the Wessex Local Airspace Infringement Team (LAIT) based at Popham, about the team’s work to help reduce infringements in the local area. If you are planning on flying in the Solent area guidance and information from the Wessex LAIT is available online at airspacesafety.com/solent There are 12 Local Airspace Infringement Teams set up to cover infringement hot-spots in the UK. Each is focussed on helping to reduce airspace infringements through local initiatives and targeted actions. This is the first episode in a mini-serie ..read more

The UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has launched a once in a generation consultation on proposals to simplify General Aviation (GA) pilot licensing and training. In this episode we speak with Maeghan Sheehan, a newly qualified GA Pilot and a member of the working group for this project, on her experience of working with the CAA. If you are involved in GA in any capacity; we would like to hear from you. You may be a pilot, an instructor, a pilot in training, running a flying school or have any GA licence from the CAA. If so, we would ask you to read and respond to this consultation and help s ..read more

The UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has launched a once in a generation consultation on proposals to simplify General Aviation (GA) pilot licensing and training. In this episode we speak with Laurence Baxter from our General Aviation Unit to learn more about this work. If you are involved in GA in any capacity; we would like to hear from you. You may be a pilot, an instructor, a pilot in training, running a flying school or have any GA licence from the CAA. If so, we would ask you to read and respond to this consultation and help shape the future of UK GA flying. Our consultation is open for ..read more

The UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) launched a once in a generation consultation on proposals to simplify General Aviation (GA) pilot licensing and training. In this episode we speak with Laurence Baxter from our General Aviation Unit to provide an update on the findings of that initial consultation, shared in the Consultation Response Document and provides an update on the next steps in the project. GA Pilot Licensing & Training Simplification Phase 1 Strategic Direction - Consultation Response Document Further information on this project is available on the CAA website: Licensing & ..read more

This episode includes updates on our project to update our suite of Safety Sense Leaflets and the work that has gone into the temporary airspace restrictions for the Commonwealth Games. Flying in Cloud A recent AAIB investigation has highlighted the importance of being properly qualified to fly in cloud. Our podcast and animation cover the safety guidance and resources that pilots should be aware of. Flying in Cloud Carbon monoxide project - CODE We discussed before our current CAA project on Carbon Monoxide. Recently published data reports are available on the CAA website at: Carbon monoxide ..read more