CAA on General Aviation
The General Aviation podcast brings you the latest guidance from the UK Civil Aviation Authority with information for all types of General Aviation (GA) operating in the UK. Including updates and discussions on our current projects and areas of work. You’ll hear interviews with representatives from our GA teams, experts on their particular fields, sharing details of their work and regulatory updates as well as highlighting opportunities for members of the UK GA community to get involved.
Episodes
Stalls, spins and aerobatics awareness
This episode looks at stall and spin awareness in General Aviation; how stall and spin risks affect all pilots, not just aerobatic flying, and why loss of control remains a major safety issue.The discussion emphasises that early avoidance is critical, while well-practised, decisive recovery and structured aerobatics training can significantly improve pilot safety, confidence, and control.More info
Preparing for air display season
In this episode, we hear from organisers, pilots, regulators and industry experts from across the air display community.Recorded at the CAA’s Air Display Symposium earlier this year, we speak to the people who make air displays happen, exploring the challenges, innovations and priorities, shaping this year's program, and getting a behind the scenes look at how the industry is working together to d
Fuel sampling and trim runaways
This episode highlights two key safety topics for GA pilots: trim runaways and fuel contamination.We explore how to recognise the early signs of a trim runaway, the immediate actions pilots should take, and why staying ahead of the problem is critical.We then cover the fundamentals of correct fuel sampling, including common sources of contamination, how to take reliable samples, and what to do if
Post consultation licensing simplification project update
In March 2024, we launched a 10 week consultation on phase two of the general aviation pilot licensing and training simplification project. In September we released the consultation response documents covering aeroplanes, balloons, gyroplanes, helicopters and sailplanes. In this episode we’re joined by Ed Bellamy from our General Aviation Unit, who will be providing a helpful overview of the consu
Spring back to flying
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
Winter flying
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 a
Summer flying season update
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 thi
Active carbon monoxide detectors
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 gapod
A BMX park in the sky
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 c
How Local Airspace Infringement Teams work
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
Project update on private pilot licensing and training in the UK
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 proj
Talking Radio Telephony
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 Initia
Return to flying
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 h
The role of the GA licensing working group
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 fro
Answering your questions on the GA licensing consultation
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
Help simplify private pilot licensing and training in the 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 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
The Women's World Gliding Championships 2022
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 Bos
Safety sense leaflets – Commonwealth games airspace
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
Our review of airspace in the Cotswold region
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
Airworthiness – Carbon monoxide – STEM
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 Man
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