Covid-19 tiers update - 23rd december 2020
Like all businesses, we are following the UK Government information closely, to ensure we continue to comply with applicable legislation, regulation, restrictions, and guidance.
On 23rd December 2020 the Government announced that from 00:01 on Saturday 26th December (Boxing Day) Hampshire will be placed into Tier 4 (essentially very similar to Lockdown 2).
The DfT Guidance has been updated as follows:
Tier 4: stay at home
There are restrictions to GA flying and training flights. You must follow the rules for Tier 4 areas.
Under Tier 4 you must not leave or be outside your home except for where you have a reasonable excuse.
Restrictions on GA activities
Private pilots can only take part in sport or leisure activities where they take place in the open air – this can be alone, with their household, support bubble, or, when alone, with one person from another household. This should be done locally wherever possible, but you can travel a short distance within your Tier 4 area to do so if necessary, for example, to access an open space. Social distancing measures should be in place and observed at all times.
This should be done locally wherever possible, but you can travel a short distance within your Tier 4 area to do so if necessary - for example, to access an open space. Social distancing measures should be in place and observed at all times.
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.
Flight training for private pilots (i.e. training for leisure purposes) is not permitted as this is not considered a reasonable excuse for leaving home.
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, maintenance check flights, and flights to maintain currency should only be conducted where there is an urgent requirement to do so, and alternative options are not available.
Any flights, where conducted, must be kept to the minimum duration possible and should land at the same airfield from which they departed, apart from where this is outside of the reasonable control of the pilot.
You should minimise time spent outside your home, and if you need to travel you should stay local, and reduce the number of journeys you make overall.
You can visit outdoor public spaces, including parks, beaches, countryside, a public garden, grounds of a heritage site or castle, or a sports facility:
by yourself; with the people you live with; with your support bubble; or with one person from another household - only if you are on your own
If you live in a Tier 4 area, you should not travel abroad unless it is permitted by your specific circumstances. You should also consider the public health advice in the country you are visiting.
If you live outside a Tier 4 area, you may still enter or pass through a Tier 4 area to travel abroad if you need to, but you should carefully consider whether you need to do so.
Airport Opening Hours
Blackbushe Airport will continue to remain available for any flights that are permitted under the regulations and guidance. However, we will be operating a downgraded service, on shorter opening hours, and may close at short notice.
Revised Christmas Opening Hours
| Christmas Opening Hours 2020/21 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Thur 24 Dec | 0700-1700 | Aerodrome will close after last planned movement. Please PPR by 12:00 on 23/12/2020. |
| Fri 25 Dec | CLOSED | STRICTLY NO FLYING |
| Sat 26 Dec | CLOSED | Aerodrome is available on request for Public Transport flights subject to special opening fee of £120 + VAT per movement (in addition to usual airport fees). |
From Sunday 27th December 2020 until Sunday 10th January 2021 inclusive, we will be open as follows:
0930-1300. Closed 1300-1400 to facilitate lunch breaks. 1400-1730.
RFF 1 only provided. (RFF 3 available with prior notice).
Refuelling Hours 1000-1730.
Aerodrome available on request 0700-2200, subject to normal extension fees and bank holiday surcharges.
Aerodrome hours may vary, and will close after last pre-booked movement.
All flights must be booked with 24H PPR using our webform.
Check NOTAMs
We will publish any reduction in service or opening hours by NOTAM. Check them before you book out / PPR, and check them again before you travel to the airport. The airport may close at short notice.
Booking Out
All flights must be booked out the day before. If we don’t have a booking, we may operate reduced opening hours at short notice. All bookings / PPR must be made using the online forms. These come through on email, and can be monitored by staff from home even when we are closed. DO NOT use SMS / iMessage. These messages go to a mobile phone that remains in the tower, so if we are closed, we won’t get your request, which means we may not be open when you want to fly.
Check for a response before travelling to the airport. If we haven’t confirmed your request, it probably means we are closed.
At The Airport
Hands - Face - Space
Hands: wash your hands regularly and for 20 seconds
Face: wear a face covering in indoor settings where social distancing may be difficult, and where you will come into contact with people you do not normally meet
Space: stay 2 metres apart from people you do not live with where possible, or 1 metre with extra precautions in place (such as wearing face coverings)
GENERAL PUBLIC ACCESS
The gates will be open on a variable timetable. Members of the public not engaged in flying are asked not to come to the site, and not to use the car park for walking on the common, as they may return to find their vehicle locked in.
january landing cards
Payments for monthly and annual landing cards due to be collected on the 1st January will NOT be taken. Credit notes will be issued in January.
Thank you all for your continued cooperation. Please act responsibly, and stay safe.
Merry Christmas to you all and your families.