In March 2024, we launched a 10 week consultation on phase two of the general aviation pilot licensing and training simplification project.

In September we released the consultation response documents covering aeroplanes, balloons, gyroplanes, helicopters and sailplanes.

In this episode we’re joined by Ed Bellamy from our General Aviation Unit, who will be providing a helpful overview of the consultation feedback and next steps.

CAP3032A: General Aviation Pilot Licensing Review Phase 2: Aeroplanes Consultation Response Document

CAP3032E: General Aviation Pilot Licensing Review Phase 2: Helicopter Consultation Response Document

CAP3032F: General Aviation Pilot Licensing Review Phase 2: Sailplanes Consultation Response Document

CAP3032G: General Aviation Pilot Licensing Review Phase 2: Gyroplanes Consultation Response Document

Spring is now upon us and it’s time to start thinking about returning to flying! If you’ve had the winter off, we’re here to guide you through the important things to consider before getting back into your aircraft.

For this episode we’re joined by James Shipp and Tom Gravett from the CAA General Aviation Unit to discuss pilot currency, aircraft airworthiness and airfield conditions.

If you have any feedback or suggestions for areas that you’d like us to cover in this podcast, please get in touch at gapodcast@caa.co.uk.

Related information

• Safety Animation – Returning to flying, pre flight checklist
• Safety Animation – Loss of Control: Stall and Spin Awareness
• Safety Animation – Flying in Cloud
• The Skyway Code
• Safety Sense Leaflet - Care of Passengers
• Safety Sense Leaflet – Loss of Control: Stall and Spin Awareness
• Clued Up – Weight and Balance
• Astral Aviation Consulting Workshop – Skill Fade

As the temperatures drop in the winter months, there are a number of challenges that come with flying in cold and unpredictable conditions.

For this episode, we’re joined by Joe Hadley and Richard Crockett from the CAA General Aviation Unit to cover the intricacies of winter flying.

If you have any feedback or suggestions for areas that you’d like us to cover in this podcast, please get in touch at gapodcast@caa.co.uk.

Related links:

• Winter flying | Civil Aviation Authority
• The Skyway Code | Civil Aviation Authority (caa.co.uk)
• Flying in Winter - YouTube
• Safety Sense Leaflet: Winter Flying
• Winter weather — Astral Aviation Consulting
• Pre-flight planning - Airspace Safety
• Carbon monoxide in general aviation
• Podcast on active carbon monoxide detectors
• Clued Up: Carbon Monoxide
• Flying with an active carbon monoxide detector - YouTube
• Night rating for aeroplanes
• Clued Up: Night Flying
• Clued Up Update: Night Flying

We chat about the latest on our active carbon monoxide detector project. In particular our latest survey which we launched at AeroExpo in June. We also hear from members of the GA community on their thoughts on what sort of carbon monoxide detector they fly with and why.

If you have any feedback or suggestions for areas that you’d like us to cover in this podcast, please get in touch at gapodcast@caa.co.uk.

Related links:

• General Aviation Pilot Survey - Flying with Active Carbon Monoxide Detectors 2023
• Further information on the work of the CAA on Carbon Monoxide is available via our website: Carbon monoxide in general aviation | Civil Aviation Authority (caa.co.uk)
• Infographic on recommended active carbon monoxide detectors

We speak with Dave Boxall, Chief Airworthiness Engineer at Cameron Balloons on their recent adventure with Red Bull on the Don’t Look Down project.

You'll hear how this project came to be and the amazing adventure these organisations went on to get the balloon into the air.

Kriss Kyle, Scottish BMX Pro said:

“I’ve had to push past my fears several times before on Red Bull projects, but nothing has compared to this. Riding my BMX at 2,000ft, you’re so high up it almost doesn’t feel real anymore. I trusted the crew with my life, and wouldn’t have been able to do it without the help of Cameron Balloons, who worked in partnership with the CAA to help make BMX riding at 2,000ft a reality.”

Cameron Balloons is the world leader in the manufacture of lighter-than-air aircraft and fabric structures. Their mission is to deliver the highest quality aircraft-standard engineering through robust and innovative products; led by a creative team, supported by a reliable aftersales service.

Established in 1971, they have built over 9500 hot air balloons and continue to support this diverse industry with in-depth and realistic expertise.

About the 'Don't look down' project:

Don't Look Down: Kriss Kyle BMX film (redbull.com)

Kriss Kyle's Don't Look Down: how it was made (redbull.com)

BMX Pro Kriss Kyle Interview - Don't Look Down film (redbull.com)

One of our infringement specialists talks to Chris Sellen, a member of the Wessex Local Airspace Infringement Team (LAIT) based at Popham, about the team’s work to help reduce infringements in the local area.

If you are planning on flying in the Solent area guidance and information from the Wessex LAIT is available online at airspacesafety.com/solent

There are 12 Local Airspace Infringement Teams set up to cover infringement hot-spots in the UK. Each is focussed on helping to reduce airspace infringements through local initiatives and targeted actions.

This is the first episode in a mini-series looking at different aspects of this work.

More information and guidance to help avoid infringements is available on the Airspace & Safety Initiative website.

The UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) launched a once in a generation consultation on proposals to simplify General Aviation (GA) pilot licensing and training.

In this episode we speak with Laurence Baxter from our General Aviation Unit to provide an update on the findings of that initial consultation, shared in the Consultation Response Document and provides an update on the next steps in the project.

GA Pilot Licensing & Training Simplification Phase 1 Strategic Direction - Consultation Response Document

Further information on this project is available on the CAA website:

Licensing & Training Simplification | Civil Aviation Authority (caa.co.uk)