Lockdown 3 - Aerodrome Availability
On Monday 4th January 2021 the Prime Minister announced a national lockdown commencing Tuesday 5th January 2021. The overriding message from the government is to stay at home.
The DfT guidance to General Aviation was updated late in the evening on Tuesday 5th January 2021 and is as follows:
National lockdown
National lockdown rules apply in England.
For General Aviation (GA), this means that no leisure flying is permitted.
Permitted GA activities
GA flying is permitted for the purposes of work, where it is not reasonably possible to work or provide those services at home. Social distancing measures must be in place and observed at all times.
Flying training organisations providing training for professional pilots, for the purposes of work, may continue to do so. Individuals undertaking such activity may continue to attend for these purposes. Social distancing measures must be in place and observed at all times.
Engine health and maintenance check flights can only take place where there is a critical safety requirement to do so, and alternative options are not available. Such flights, where conducted, must be kept to the minimum duration possible and should land at the same airfield from which they departed, except where this is outside the reasonable control of the pilot.
We appreciate that there is some further clarification needed on the definition of some of the terms within this guidance, and we have asked for this from the CAA. We are also following closely the work AOPA is doing on the industry’s behalf.
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.
Professional Training
In accordance with the DfT guidance this may only continue for professional pilots, for the purposes of work.
FLIGHTS TO/FROM A MAINTENANCE FACILITY
Aircraft requiring critical maintenance may be flown to/from maintenance facilities, subject to PPR with Blackbushe and obviously subject to the other aerodrome being open. Such flights must 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 there is a critical safety requirement and in accordance with the EHF rules. Such flights must depart and land at Blackbushe and must not land away.
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 during the national lockdown.
PPL FLIGHT TRAINING
As per the above DfT guidance, this will not be permitted during the national lockdown.
CURRENCY FLIGHTS
The guidance allowing these in Tier 4 has been removed within the national lockdown guidance. They are not permitted.
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 aerodrome, and not to use the car park for walking on the common, as they may return to find their vehicle locked in. Those visiting the café should their website for their restrictions.
january & February landing cards
Payments for monthly and annual landing cards due to be collected on the 1st January have not been taken. Credit notes will be issued. Likewise, we will not take payment for February ones in advance, in anticipation of this national lockdown continuing through much of February. For based operators who would normally subscribe to the card, we will look at their landing volume at the end of each month and bill per landing, or at the price of a landing card, whichever is the lowest.
Thank you all for your continued cooperation. Please act responsibly, and stay safe.
Stay Safe. Protect the NHS. Save Lives.