Latest DFT Guidance
We are as keen as most of our customers to get Blackbushe open again. We have been following the Government guidance closely, including the Prime Minister's speech on Sunday 10th May 2020. We are a member of AOPA and the AOG (Airfield Operator's Group) both who have been videoconferencing with the DfT, CAA, and other industry bodies to discuss how to apply the latest guidance to Recreational GA.
Several of our residents have contacted us to ask about our reopening plans, and our answer is that to a certain extent it will depend upon the demand for flying that is there. Most of our flying volume is from Flying Schools, and there are obviously issues to overcome to allow instructors and students to fly together again.
On Wednesday 13th May 2020 the DfT sent us the below email to update us on the position surrounding Recreational GA. It reads as follows:
Wednesday 13th May 2020: 16:37
Dear all,
We wanted to provide a brief update on the current status of the government guidance around recreational GA flying. As you will be aware, the current guidance that we have issued precludes recreational GA flying (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-recreational-general-aviation/coronavirus-covid-19-recreational-general-aviation).Following the Prime Minister’s press briefing on Sunday 10th May, and subsequent wider guidance on the new measures designed to reduce the spread of Covid-19, we recognise there is an appetite for renewed guidance on what this means for recreational GA.
The Department is currently in the process of reviewing its guidance to ensure it remains consistent with the wider government advice on restrictions around sport and leisure activities. We are doing this as quickly as possible, and hope to update the guidance on the GOV.UK website very shortly. However, until this has happened, the previously issued guidance precluding recreational flying continues to apply, and we would be grateful if you could help us ensure this message is shared throughout your associations, and across the sector.
We are grateful for your continued patience as we work through these unprecedented issues as fast as we can, and we will provide another update as soon as the guidance has been updated.
Take care,
General Aviation, Skills, Safety and CAA Division
Therefore for the time being, Blackbushe remains closed to Recreational GA. We continue to work on our comprehensive plan to reopen, and will share more information when available.
In addition, the CAA has produced guidance for pilots preparing to resume flying, highlighting risks and other factors they should contemplate to remain safe in the air: