Covid-19 Tiers Update - 31st 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.
The previous guidance issued on 21st December was poorly worded, and conflicted itself. It left open the possibility for recreational GA to continue.
At some point on 30th December, the wording of the DfT Guidance to aviation for Tier 4 was subtly changed. The publication date has not been altered. The guidance previously stated:
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.
It now states:
Private pilots can only take part in sport or leisure activities where they take place in an aircraft that is open to the air, i.e. not in an enclosed cockpit.
This can be alone, with their household, support bubble, or, when alone, with one person from another household.
It is clear therefore that effective immediately, recreational GA may not continue. Read the guidance in full here.
Revised Operational Information for Blackbushe
AIRPORT OPENING HOURS
Blackbushe Airport will continue to remain available for any flights that are permitted under the regulations and guidance, but this will be by strict PPR. We will remain closed unless there is a confirmed booking.
PPR PROCESS
PPR must be obtained by 17:30 the day before your flight for most flights. You may be asked to alter your flight times to group your flight in with others, and keep our opening hours to a minimum. Your flexibility in accommodating this will be appreciated.
The PPR must be made using the online PPR form. 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 likely means we don’t know you are planning to operate.
For medical, survey, and public transport flights, we will remain available for “go-now” requests. This will be with 3 hours minimum notice. Any requests made overnight must be made by telephone and the earliest opening will be 09:30 local the following morning.
TYPES OF FLIGHT THAT MAY USE BLACKBUSHE
MEDICAL, SURVEY, AND PUBLIC TRANSPORT FLIGHTS
Like during the last lockdown, we will continue to provide a service to these flights, with PPR.
CPL / ATPL FLIGHT TRAINING
Throughout the last Lockdown, CPL training at other aerodromes such as Bournemouth and Oxford continued, with COVID-Secure measures in place. Some of the flying schools at Blackbushe offer CPL training, and it is our understanding that this is permitted to continue. Such flights must be booked by 17:30 the day before.
FLIGHTS TO/FROM A PLACE OF WORK
Such flights will only be permitted where, in the airport’s opinion, the flight is necessary as the journey is extremely difficult to complete by other means. For example, flights to the Channel Islands, or flights of such a distance that a round trip could not be made by car in the same day. The airport manager’s decision is final.
FLIGHTS TO/FROM A MAINTENANCE FACILITY
Aircraft requiring maintenance may be flown to/from maintenance facilities, subject to PPR with Blackbushe and obviously subject to the other aerodrome being open. Such flights should only be flown single pilot (or with people from the same household). “Chase” aircraft may not be used to ferry pilots.
ENGINE HEALTH FLIGHTS
These must be agreed with the Aerodrome Manager in advance, and should only be completed where absolutely necessary (28 days have passed since the aircraft’s last flight) and in accordance with the EHF rules. Such flights must depart and land at Blackbushe and must not land away.
CURRENCY FLIGHTS
Where a pilot has a licence or rating that is due to expire, they may undertake a flight to maintain their licence or rating. Where a licence or rating has already expired, we will not support the renewal of those licenses or ratings at this time.
Wherever possible Currency Flights / Engine Health Flights / Maintenance Flights should be conducted at the same time to reduce the number of flights undertaken.
TYPES OF FLIGHT THAT MAY NOT USE BLACKBUSHE
GENERAL RECREATIONAL FLYING
As per the above DfT guidance, this constitutes leaving home without a reasonable excuse and will not be permitted whilst Blackbushe Airport remains in Tier 4.
PPL FLIGHT TRAINING
As per the above DfT guidance, this will not be permitted whilst Blackbushe Airport remains in Tier 4.
OTHER TYPES OF FLIGHTS
All other flights will be considered by the aerodrome management on a case by case basis. Please use the PPR form to make a request.
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.
Happy New Year to you all and your families.