Govt updates Coronavirus guidance for GA

General Aviation can now take place in England without limits following the latest update in Coronavirus guidance from the government.

“For example, flight training for all pilots, and flights with an instructor, can take place without limits,” said the Department for Transport.

However, there are still recommendations for pilots, flight schools and airfields on how to stay safe and help prevent the spread of Covid-19.

DfT recommendations

When travelling within the UK, you should aim to do so safely and plan your journey in advance. When travelling internationally, you must adhere to the government rules on international travel.

All international GA flying and travel should follow the wider rules regarding international travel:

• Travel from England to abroad
• Travel to England from abroad
• Travel to England from a red list country or territory
• Take a COVID-19 test before travel to England

Risk assessments

Organisations need to regularly review their risk assessment to ensure it remains relevant and appropriate. The Health and Safety Executive encourages organisations to identify measures in a priority order. Risk assessments should take account of other risks and ensure controls implemented for Covid-19 do not increase risks due to other hazards.

Read the guidance on working safely and how this can be applied in the workplace. You will need to translate this into the specific actions depending on the nature of your business.

Face coverings

In England, there is no longer a legal requirement to wear a face covering. The government suggests that you continue to wear a face-covering in crowded and enclosed spaces where you may come into contact with other people you do not normally meet.

Aerodromes and training organisations in England

Steps that organisations should consider taking include:

• Encouraging visitors to use hand sanitiser or handwashing facilities as they enter the premises
• 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

Test and trace

You should assist the NHS Test and Trace service by keeping records of customers, visitors and staff for 21 days and providing data to NHS Test and Trace if requested.

Training and flying instructors

Flying instructors and support staff should be formally informed of the risks and all actions being taken to combat the risks. This is to ensure they:

• Understand the specific risks and mitigations
• Understand site protocols
• Are physically and mentally well enough to engage in a return to training

It will be for individual training organisations to agree with their instructors any conditions for their return.

Cleaning is vital in all areas of training venues and aircraft. Training organisations should write and implement a cleaning plan.

It should ensure that all areas to be accessed by flying instructors, students and support staff are deep cleaned. This includes regular cleaning for:

• Surfaces on board the aircraft
• All other areas accessed by students, instructors and support staff
• All frequently touched surfaces, for example, door handles, banister rails, buttons and toilet areas

Read the guidance on working safely and how this can be applied in the workplace. Each business will need to translate this into the specific actions it needs to take depending on the nature of the business and how it is operated, managed and organised.

Actions businesses could take include:

• Taking Covid-19 tests – you cannot use these for international travel
• More frequent hand washing and surface cleaning
• Disinfection of the aircraft (i.e. frequent touch points including headsets) and outside facilities to a standard which follows government guidance for cleaning in non-healthcare settings
• Provision and use of hand sanitiser

GA in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales

This guidance refers to the guidelines that only apply in England. There may be information in this guidance that is useful for all individuals and businesses taking part in GA activities to consider, but any GA activities in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales must be carried out in a way that ensures that all COVID-19 rules and guidelines are complied with in those locations.

Read further:

Information relating to Northern Ireland

Information relating to Scotland

Information relating to Wales