4 November 2020
Sport or leisure flying is not allowed during the November lockdown which comes into force at midnight tonight (Wednesday). Engine maintenance flights are allowed – and flights to maintain currency.
The Department for Transport has updated its advice on Coronavirus restrictions. It says:
“Private pilots should not undertake any sport or leisure flying, in line with the requirement to stay at home without reasonable excuse.
“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.
“We recommend that flight training for private pilots 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. 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.”
2 comments
Is this guidance or law? I can fly our group Cub without getting into a car and without coming into contact with any other person. Is this prohibited?
Hi Dave. I don’t know the specifics here but professional flight training is still allowed under lockdown. Also, owners of light aircraft are allowed to fly their aircraft for up to one hour for engine maintenance reasons.