Under revised restrictions published by the Department for Transport on 4 November, private pilots ‘should not undertake any sport or leisure flying’

Under revised restrictions published by the Department for Transport on Wednesday 4 November, private pilots have been informed that they ‘should not undertake any sport or leisure flying’, in line with the general requirement to stay at home unless there is ‘reasonable excuse’.

However, ‘General Aviation (GA) flying for the purposes of work, where it is not reasonably possible to work or provide those services at home, is permitted. Social distancing measures should be in place and observed at all times.

The DfT recommends (note) that flight training for private pilots [does] not continue while the national restrictions are in place.

‘Flying training organisations providing training for professional pilots may continue to do so, and students undertaking such activity may continue to attend for these purposes’ the guidance continues. ‘Social distancing measures should be in place and observed at all times.

‘Engine health and maintenance check flights and flights to maintain currency only, that would otherwise lapse during the planned lockdown period, should only be conducted where there is an urgent requirement to do so, and alternative options are not available.

‘Such flights, where conducted, must be kept to the minimum duration possible and should land at the same airfield from which they departed.’

Different guidance applies for Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.

Click here for further information

Image(s) provided by: