UPDATED Flight training including dual instruction will be allowed to restart from 4 July. General Aviation businesses will be able to open and operate while observing guidelines still to be released.
The announcement came through Martin Robinson, CEO of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) following a message from the Department for Transport.
UPDATE 30 June: Guidelines for aerodromes published
The question of whether any organisation should open (or reopen) is a business decision for the individual organisation [the govt says]. Aerodrome operators, training organisations and other GA businesses are best placed to decide whether opening is in their best interest, either from a commercial or health and safety standpoint.
Some organisations will require time to implement coronavirus guidance, which may result in delays to reopening. Steps that organisations should consider taking include:
They include
- encouraging visitors to use hand sanitiser or handwashing facilities as they enter the premises
- calculating the maximum number of visitors that can reasonably follow social distancing guidelines, and limiting the number of appointments at any one time – take into account total floorspace, and any likely pinch points and busy areas
- using online or telephone pre-booking systems, for example when booking flying lessons, and when booking an appointment, asking if customers can attend on their own, where possible
- encouraging customers to arrive at the time of their scheduled appointment or lesson
- informing customers of guidance about visiting the premises prior to, and at the point of arrival, including information on websites, on booking forms and in entrance ways
- adjusting how people move through the premises to reduce congestion, and contact between people, for example, queue management or one-way flow
- ensuring any changes to entrances, exits and queue management take into account reasonable adjustments for those who need them, included disabled clients
- maintaining social distancing in all waiting areas, and communal areas.
Full guidelines here
1 comment
About time too. I cannot understand why commercial training was allowed but private pilot training wasn’t. It’s either safe or it’s not safe. Double standards.