Operations from 2 December 2020
In accordance with the latest government guidance, we are looking forward to welcoming back our GA pilots from Wednesday 2nd December. It is great to see that so much enthusiasm remains for GA flying. All of the resident flying schools have their own procedures in place to make their aircraft and schools COVID-Secure, and likewise we have measures around the airport to keep us all safe as we move back to the tier system.
TIER SYSTEM
FROM WEDNESDAY 2ND DECEMBER 2020
Blackbushe Airport is within Hart District, which has been categorised as Tier 2. You can see a list of all of the tier areas on the GOV.UK website. The BBC news site also has a postcode checker.
The government have produced a poster outling what activities are and aren’t permitted in Tier 2 areas.
Remember: If you live in a Tier 3 area, you should not be travelling to Blackbushe Airport. Currently Slough is the closest Tier 3 area, but these areas may change frequently - check before you fly.
THE GOVERNMENT ADVICE FOR TIER 2 IS:
Tier 2: high alert level
No mixing of households is allowed indoors apart from support bubbles. A maximum of 6 people can meet outdoors. You should avoid travelling into Tier 3 areas except where necessary, such as for:
- work or education purposes
- urgent engine health, maintenance check flights, and flights to maintain currency only, where alternative options are not available
You should also look to reduce the number of journeys you make where possible.
Businesses and venues following COVID-19 secure guidelines can host larger groups. They must take reasonable steps to mitigate the risk of transmission, in line with COVID-19 secure guidance and including completion of a risk assessment.
in addition the following points are relevant to Blackbushe:
RECREATIONAL GA AND FLIGHT TRAINING
“GA flying and training flights will be permitted in England across all local tier levels. They must take place in line with the tier restrictions.” We understand most, if not all, of the flying schools at Blackbushe will be reopening from 2nd December. Please contact them to understand their availability.
FLIGHTS FROM TIER 3 AREAS
“Any flights that take place in Tier 3 areas should land at the same airfield from which they departed, apart from where this is outside of the reasonable control of the pilot.” We will therefore not accept any recreational GA flights from Tier 3 areas and ask people residing in Tier 3 areas not to come to the airport.
SOCIAL DISTANCING
The risk of transmission is small at 2 metres and where possible, people taking part in General Aviation activities should maintain 2 metres distance from people outside their household or support bubble.
If you cannot keep a 2 metre distance, reduce the risk by maintaining a 1 metre distance where possible, and taking suitable actions.
FACE COVERINGS
On aircraft
Passengers must wear a face covering when on board aircraft in England.
This includes people:
- flying as passengers in a balloon
- on an introductory flight
- flying on a cost-shared basis
People sharing piloting or flight crew duties don’t have to wear a face covering. However, face coverings are recommended to be worn by all individuals on aircraft, where social distancing is not possible, where it is safe to do so.
In enclosed areas
Passengers must wear a face covering in enclosed areas of airports. This includes visitors to General Aviation premises.
Staff are exempt from the requirement to wear a face covering while they are working. When they are not at work or are off duty (for example, during breaks), staff must wear a face covering inside the premises.
OPENING HOURS
From Wednesday 2nd December we return to our normal opening hours of 07:00 - 18:00 local, 7 days a week. There may be limits on the number of staff, as we have to take measures to make Blackbushe Airport COVID-Secure, and consider not only the needs of our customers, but also the safety of staff. The highlights are as follows:
Open 7 days a week.
Normal Opening Hours - From 07:00 - 18:00 local.
Refuelling hours return to normal: 08:00 - 18:00 local. Please refuel the day before for early departures.
Winter Night Flying continues, please make sure you have you are familiar with the procedures.
We will still not accept physical payments by any means (including Credit / Debit Cards).
For visitors, please use our PPR form and we will email you an invoice after your visit which you can pay by bank transfer or credit card.
All international flights must complete the Public Health Passenger Information Form and keep a copy of their confirmation for inspection by Border Force if required. This includes pilots of business aircraft, as they travel in the same cabin as passengers.
PPR / BOOKING OUT
We are grateful to all of the pilots who have been making use of our PPR / Booking Out forms and sending these in either the day before, or overnight.
The 4th November was our busiest day of the year, and we anticipate it being very busy when we reopen. The service from the tower is more expedient when the AFISO can concentrate on the radio, and the assistant can organise clearances, and help “spot” aircraft in the circuit. Telephone or SMS bookings mean the assistant can’t help as much, and so this sometimes means the FISO will tell pilots to standby, or won’t be able to get a departing aircraft into a gap.
Please help us by submitting your Booking Out forms on the website, and doing so the day before. We can then use other staff to complete these and get the strips ready for the tower team.
REFUELLING
Please use the doorbell on the back of the Fire Station to attract the RFFS attention, and do not enter the fire station and fenced area. Please do not touch the refuelling equipment, including earth bond and fuel nozzle. This reduces the number of touch points between pilots and staff.
Happy flying in December!