LAA COVID ADVICE - STAY SAFE, FLY LATER.

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Steve Slater
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LAA COVID ADVICE - STAY SAFE, FLY LATER.

Post by Steve Slater » Wed Mar 25, 2020 12:07 pm

Hello all.

We’ve noted significant debate in the social media about whether pilots should fly during the current lock down on non-essential travel. We all have personal decisions to make on this; we’re all grown-ups and should be relied upon to make sensible judgements. Hopefully this advice will help you make the right decision.

Currently, unlike some other countries, there is no closure of VFR airspace. However, leisure flying is inadvisable. Even if it’s legal, it just doesn’t seem right, does it? Also, if something goes wrong, our whole community could be accused of recklessly using up emergency resources which are much more vitally needed elsewhere. Remember too, that others outside aviation might see your flight as an unnecessary indulgence, you could generate ill-feeling from some around your flying site.

Travel to airfields for leisure flying cannot be regarded as ‘essential travel’. We therefore do not recommend members travel to their airfield except to check on the security of their aircraft and facilities when absolutely necessary. If you do, remember that contact with hangar doors and fuel facilities are potential cross-contamination points. Also, if you have a group-owned aircraft, remember that contact points such as door handles and controls are potential areas of contamination. Make sure you use hand gel or wash your hands regularly after contact.

There may be cases where inspection or maintenance work can be justified, but if this is necessary, please ensure the ‘social distancing’ advice is adhered to and cross-contamination precautions are taken.

We are involved in dialogue with the CAA regarding potentially extending both pilot medical deadlines and developing short-term derogations for those who would have required a flight with an instructor. The CAA’s initial priority has been in developing these for professional pilots. They are now working on similar for private licence holders.

All these activities, plus our other work in developing a future strategy for sub-600kg aircraft and greater use of Permit aircraft in ab-initio training, depend on the CAA and DFT recognising our position as a credible organisations and as responsible citizens. Please bear this in mind as you make your personal decisions.

Finally, it goes without saying that the most important thing at this time is to maintain our own physical health to the best of our ability. Many of us are in the age groups that the public health authorities classify as being ‘at risk’, so do please take all the appropriate precautions and make sure you’re around and healthy when flying can legitimately recommence. Stay safe!

Steve Slater
CEO
Light Aircraft Association
25th March 2020
Stephen Slater
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mikeblyth
Posts: 155
Joined: Tue Mar 18, 2008 8:24 am
Location: Bedford UK

Re: LAA COVID ADVICE - STAY SAFE, FLY LATER.

Post by mikeblyth » Thu Mar 26, 2020 9:50 am

Thanks for that Steve, at least we are all in the same boat so to speak. Can do all those pending
jobs. Weather was same this time last year. Had a nice day out with a friend!! :wink: Such a shame rain wind and now a virus. Oh well never mind, painted this and that cleaned chickens out.
Many other jobs to do.
Stay safe

Mike
PS Flew Sunday which was great.
Mike Blyth
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Clive
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Joined: Sun Jul 06, 2008 10:19 pm
Location: Norfolk

CASA moving quickly

Post by Clive » Thu Mar 26, 2020 10:17 am

Just got this copied from RAA in Australia, be good to get something similar in UK, or is there something already?
How about Permit expiry?

Australian Government Civil Aviation Safety Authority
How we’re helping you – exemptions being put in place
The actions of various levels of government to stop the spread of COVID-19 are evolving rapidly and I am conscious that you will have many challenges in front of you as you adapt to this changing environment.

In recognition of these difficulties, we are putting in place various general exemptions for a number of CASA authorisations or permissions, which are designed to proportionally manage safety risks while providing relief as follows:

If you have an Air Operator’s Certificate (AOC) or a Part 141/142 Certificate, it will be extended through an administrative process by six months. You do not need to do anything.
If you are a pilot or an air traffic controller, you will be able to exercise the privileges of your licence for six months after the expiration of any medical certificate you hold. The conditions on your medical certificate will continue to apply. You do not need to do anything.
If your current flight review or proficiency check expires after 1 March 2020, you will be able to continue to use all the privileges of your licence for a further three months from when it expires. You will need to apply to extend these arrangements beyond the 3 months.
Operators will have relief from Part 61 proficiency checking and flight review as well as training and checking requirements up to 30 June 2020. Further relief options are being developed.
In addition to the exemptions listed above, we’ll be putting some general exemptions in place to cover dangerous goods, drug and alcohol management procedures and emergency procedures.

Further measures for other sectors such as maintenance organisations and remotely piloted aircraft operations are currently being considered.

Our decisions are designed to make it as easy as possible for you to continue current operational activities while ensuring aviation safety is maintained and operational risks are managed.

If you have specific questions, please email [email protected] (if you are enquiring on behalf of an organisation) or [email protected] (if you are enquiring on behalf of yourself).

Regards
Shane Carmody
Chief Executive Officer and Director of Aviation Safety
Clive James

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Chris Thompson
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Location: Hampshire
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Re: LAA COVID ADVICE - STAY SAFE, FLY LATER.

Post by Chris Thompson » Thu Mar 26, 2020 11:36 am

CAA please note!

Nice to see that the wordings from CASA are in plain English and none of this exemption "this", sub-section "that", paragraph "whatever", sub-part "nn", sentence "aa" etc. that take an hour to decipher from whatever the original documention stated!
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Mike Millar
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Re: LAA COVID ADVICE - STAY SAFE, FLY LATER.

Post by Mike Millar » Fri Mar 27, 2020 10:48 am

Thanks, Steve, for putting out this very sensible advice. We should all fully support and comply with this. If you can get extensions to the revalidation/recency requirements from the CAA it will be most appreciated.

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