Spring is now upon us and it’s time to start thinking about returning to flying! If you’ve had the winter off, we’re here to guide you through the important things to consider before getting back into your aircraft.For this episode we’re joined by James Shipp and Tom Gravett from the CAA General Aviation Unit to discuss pilot currency, aircraft airworthiness and airfield conditions.If you have any feedback or suggestions for areas that you’d like us to cover in this podcast, please get in touch at gapodcast@caa.co.uk.Related informationSafety Animation – Returning to flying, pre flight checklistSafety Animation – Loss of Control: Stall and Spin AwarenessSafety Animation – Flying in CloudThe Skyway CodeSafety Sense Leaflet - Care of Passengers Safety Sense Leaflet – Loss of Control: Stall and Spin AwarenessClued Up – Weight and BalanceAstral Aviation Consulting Workshop – Skill Fade

As the temperatures drop in the winter months, there are a number of challenges that come with flying in cold and unpredictable conditions. For this episode, we’re joined by Joe Hadley and Richard Crockett from the CAA General Aviation Unit to cover the intricacies of winter flying. If you have any feedback or suggestions for areas that you’d like us to cover in this podcast, please get in touch at gapodcast@caa.co.uk.Related links:Winter flying | Civil Aviation AuthorityThe Skyway Code | Civil Aviation Authority (caa.co.uk)Flying in Winter - YouTubeSafety Sense Leaflet: Winter FlyingWinter weather — Astral Aviation ConsultingPre-flight planning - Airspace SafetyCarbon monoxide in general aviation Podcast on active carbon monoxide detectorsClued Up: Carbon MonoxideFlying with an active carbon monoxide detector - YouTubeNight rating for aeroplanesClued Up: Night FlyingClued Up Update: Night Flying

In this episode, we talk with the CAA’s policy lead on our project on cost sharing, we hear an update from Ed Bellamy on the Safety Sense Leaflet project and our latest published documents including Piston Engine Icing. We also talk with Justin Willcocks on good flight planning preparation along with references to advice and guidance and how to use the radio. Updates and resources mentioned in this episode:Cost sharing flights | Civil Aviation Authority (caa.co.uk) Safety Sense Leaflets | Civil Aviation Authority (caa.co.uk) SSL: Aerodrome senseClued Up: Unstable ApproachesClued Up: Rejected Take OffsTrim runawaysTake off decisions - go or no go? - CAA Safety filesCAP1950 GA Landing IssuesArrivals, departures and RT — Astral Aviation Consulting SSL; Distraction and InterruptionSSL: Care of PassengersTake-off - Loss of Control — Astral Aviation ConsultingLandings - Loss of Control — Astral Aviation ConsultingStalling - Loss of Control — Astral Aviation ConsultingSpinning - Loss of Control — Astral Aviation ConsultingWheel spats - Loss of Control — Astral Aviation ConsultingLoss of Control — Astral Aviation Consulting SSL; RadiotelephonyGA Podcast: Talking RadiotelephonyRadiotelephony — AstralAviation...

We chat about the latest on our active carbon monoxide detector project. In particular our latest survey which we launched at AeroExpo in June. We also hear from members of the GA community on their thoughts on what sort of carbon monoxide detector they fly with and why. If you have any feedback or suggestions for areas that you’d like us to cover in this podcast, please get in touch at gapodcast@caa.co.uk.Related links:General Aviation Pilot Survey - Flying with Active Carbon Monoxide Detectors 2023Further information on the work of the CAA on Carbon Monoxide is available via our website: Carbon monoxide in general aviation | Civil Aviation Authority (caa.co.uk)Infographic on recommended active carbon monoxide detectors

We speak with Dave Boxall, Chief Airworthiness Engineer at Cameron Balloons on their recent adventure with Red Bull on the Don’t Look Down project.You'll hear how this project came to be and the amazing adventure these organisations went on to get the balloon into the air. Kriss Kyle, Scottish BMX Pro said:“I’ve had to push past my fears several times before on Red Bull projects, but nothing has compared to this. Riding my BMX at 2,000ft, you’re so high up it almost doesn’t feel real anymore. I trusted the crew with my life, and wouldn’t have been able to do it without the help of Cameron Balloons, who worked in partnership with the CAA to help make BMX riding at 2,000ft a reality.”   Cameron Balloons is the world leader in the manufacture of lighter-than-air aircraft and fabric structures. Their mission is to deliver the highest quality aircraft-standard engineering through robust and innovative products; led by a creative team, supported by a reliable aftersales service. Established in 1971, they have built over 9500 hot air balloons and continue to support this diverse industry with in-depth and realistic expertise.About the 'Don't look down' project:Don't Look Down: Kriss Kyle BMX film (redbull.com)Kriss Kyle's Don't Look Down: how it was made (redbull.com)BMX Pro Kriss Kyle Interview - Don't Look Down film (redbull.com)

One of our infringement specialists talks to Chris Sellen, a member of the Wessex Local Airspace Infringement Team (LAIT) based at Popham, about the team’s work to help reduce infringements in the local area. If you are planning on flying in the Solent area guidance and information from the Wessex LAIT is available online at airspacesafety.com/solent There are 12 Local Airspace Infringement Teams set up to cover infringement hot-spots in the UK. Each is focussed on helping to reduce airspace infringements through local initiatives and targeted actions. This is the first episode in a mini-series looking at different aspects of this work.More information and guidance to help avoid infringements is available on the Airspace & Safety Initiative website.

The UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) launched a once in a generation consultation on proposals to simplify General Aviation (GA) pilot licensing and training.In this episode we speak with Laurence Baxter from our General Aviation Unit to provide an update on the findings of that initial consultation, shared in the Consultation Response Document and provides an update on the next steps in the project. GA Pilot Licensing & Training Simplification Phase 1 Strategic Direction - Consultation Response DocumentFurther information on this project is available on the CAA website: Licensing & Training Simplification | Civil Aviation Authority (caa.co.uk)

We speak with David Woodward and Anthony Hatch, whose work with Local Airspace Infringement Teams, along with their pilot, FISO, ATCO, flight instructor and RT examiner experience, led them to want to start a conversation about Radio Telephony (RT).More RT related information, including a Safety Sense leaflet on Radiotelephony is available from the CAA website, and the Airspace & Safety Initiative, which includes guidance on the importance of Radio Telephony as an element of pre-flight route planning.Let us know what you would like to hear about next: gapodcast@caa.co.ukThis episode has been bookmarked into three sections: Part 1 - Where do you want to fly? 00:11Location, location, locationPilot confidence and competencehow nervousness of pushing the button is limiting where pilots flyPart 2 - Why it’s good (and helpful) to talk 06:51Troubling a controllerUnderstanding the what and the whyFlying the magenta linePart 3 - Pushing the button 16:08When to make your first callPlanning, preparing and practicing Embracing mistakes

Spring is here and many pilots are returning to GA flying after the winter months.  We speak with Lucy Wootton, Chief Inspector at the Light Aircraft Association who explains how to prepare for getting back into the air.We also talk to Jo Aston, the CAA’s Met Technical Officer who shares her experience as a specialist aviation meteorologist.Updates and resources mentioned in this episode:We have published GA Pilot Licensing & Training Simplification Phase 1 Consultation Response Document as a follow up to our initial consultation we ran last year. This sets out the responses we received and our next steps. Findings from the pilot medical declaration review and our next steps   Our full catalogue of Safety Sense Leaflets including SSL : Radiotelephony Astral Aviation Consulting workshops on Radiotelephony and SkyWatchingPre-flight checklist animation and Lucy Wootton video  - check out our full catalogue of safety animations:  Safety Animations | Civil Aviation Authority (caa.co.uk)Podcast on take off decision making (CAA Safety Files, Episode 2)Access the latest updates with our SkyWise notification serviceIf you have any feedback or suggestions for areas that you’d like us to cover in this podcast, please get in touch at gapodcast@caa.co.uk.

The UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has launched a once in a generation consultation on proposals to simplify General Aviation (GA) pilot licensing and training.In this episode we speak with Maeghan Sheehan, a newly qualified GA Pilot and a member of the working group for this project, on her experience of working with the CAA. If you are involved in GA in any capacity; we would like to hear from you. You may be a pilot, an instructor, a pilot in training, running a flying school or have any GA licence from the CAA. If so, we would ask you to read and respond to this consultation and help shape the future of UK GA flying.Our consultation is open for comments until 16 December 2022.https://consultations.caa.co.uk/corporate-communications/ga-pilot-licensing-training-phase-1

The UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has launched a once in a generation consultation on proposals to simplify General Aviation (GA) pilot licensing and training.In this episode we invite Laurence Baxter from our General Aviation Unit back in to discuss in more detail the role of the working group and a deeper dive into the wider work of this project.If you are involved in GA in any capacity; we would like to hear from you. You may be a pilot, an instructor, a pilot in training, running a flying school or have any GA licence from the CAA. If so, we would ask you to read and respond to this consultation and help shape the future of UK GA flying.Our consultation is open for comments until 16 December 2022.https://consultations.caa.co.uk/corporate-communications/ga-pilot-licensing-training-phase-1

The UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has launched a once in a generation consultation on proposals to simplify General Aviation (GA) pilot licensing and training. In this episode we speak with Laurence Baxter from our General Aviation Unit to learn more about this work.If you are involved in GA in any capacity; we would like to hear from you. You may be a pilot, an instructor, a pilot in training, running a flying school or have any GA licence from the CAA. If so, we would ask you to read and respond to this consultation and help shape the future of UK GA flying. Our consultation is open for comments until 16 December 2022. https://consultations.caa.co.uk/corporate-communications/ga-pilot-licensing-training-phase-1

The CAA spent a day at the Women's World Gliding Championships 2022. We spoke with Liz Sparrow, Director of the Championships and Pete Stratten, CEO of the British Gliding Association learning about how the event came to be in the UK and learning more about the scrutineer process behind competition gliding. We also spoke with Simon Smith, the Chief Tug pilot at The Gliding Centre, at Husband’s Bosworth airfield talking about the safety factors associated with tugging gliders.Women are underrepresented in aviation generally with only 6-7% of glider pilots being female. The championships was an opportunity to reach beyond the parameter of the event and aim to engage with the community and actively encourage more women and young people to consider gliding as a route into aviation. You can learn more about the WWGC 2022 and all the associated events taking place.WWGC2022 The Womens World Gliding Championships 2022Video about the ChampionshipsThe British Gliding AssociationFor more information on the work of CAA and STEM visit:STEM | Opportunities in Aviation (caa.co.uk)SkyWiseTo subscribe to SkyWise visit http://skywise.caa.co.uk/Contact usTo get in touch please email GApodcast@caa.co.uk

This episode includes updates on our project to update our suite of Safety Sense Leaflets and the work that has gone into the temporary airspace restrictions for the Commonwealth Games.Flying in CloudA recent AAIB investigation has highlighted the importance of being properly qualified to fly in cloud. Our podcast and animation cover the safety guidance and resources that pilots should be aware of. Flying in CloudCarbon monoxide project - CODEWe discussed before our current CAA project on Carbon Monoxide. Recently published data reports are available on the CAA website at:Carbon monoxide in general aviation Safety Sense LeafletsOur new suite of Safety Sense Leaflets is taking shape. You can access these on the CAA website.Commonwealth GamesAeronautical Information Service - NATS to sign up for NOTAMNATS UK | Aeronautical Information Circulars (AICs) (ead-it.com) – for AI Circularshttps://airspacesafety.com/ EventsWWGC2022 | The Womens World Gliding Championships 2022Light Aircraft Association (LAA) RallySkyWiseTo subscribe to SkyWise visit http://skywise.caa.co.uk/Contact usTo get in touch please email GApodcast@caa.co.uk

We have now published our final report on our review of airspace in the Cotswold region. Join Nikki Deeley and Emma Simpson from the Airspace Classification team to learn more about which volumes of airspace the process will seek to amend, as well what other activities can be used to improve UK airspace. For more information seeCotswold region final findings report 2022The airspace classification information on the CAA website

This episode includes updates on recent work across three areas; Airworthiness, a Carbon monoxide project and STEM.AirworthinessWe published our latest Virtual Voyage session in April with a special focus on Airworthiness. This is available to view on the Virtual voyage | Civil Aviation Authority (caa.co.uk). As part of this session, we share details of our previous GA Continuing Airworthiness Management Organisation (CAMO) Roadshow. For those of you interested in participating in the next CAMO roadshow please complete this registration survey. We also shared a presentation on the GA B3 Licence. Aimed at GA maintenance organisations, engineers and mechanics and anyone who has any feedback on the GA Airworthiness licensing system, please can we ask you to complete this B3 licence awareness survey. The information shared in the survey will be used to better understand if there is a role for the CAA here to better support GA maintenance organisations. We really appreciate your input, thank you.Carbon monoxide projectWe discussed with Thomas Weir the current CAA project on Carbon Monoxide. All the information on this project and reports produced are available on the CAA website at: Carbon monoxide in general aviation | Civil Aviation Authority (caa.co.uk)STEMTo read the historic aviation magazines mentioned visit; Historic Aviation | Civil Aviation Authority (caa.co.uk) For more information on the work of CAA and STEM visit:STEM | Opportunities in Aviation (caa.co.uk)SkyWiseTo subscribe to SkyWise visit http://skywise.caa.co.uk/Contact usTo get in touch please email GApodcast@caa.co.uk