Update from the General Aviation Unit on Q2 2023 activities

The UK Civil Aviation Authority’s (CAA) General Aviation (GA) Unit has continued to follow its remit of regulating only when necessary and deliver on top-level principles for better GA regulation.

Michael Macdonald, Co-Head of the CAA’s General Aviation & RPAS Unit said:

“This past quarter has been an exceptionally busy one for the unit. It has been good to be able to get out and see a number of you at various events and engagements. Our work on active carbon monoxide detectors (CO) is particularly important as we look to understand how these devices could be used in piston engine aircraft. Evidence to date indicates that active CO detectors capable of alerting pilots via aural and/or visible warnings are a net safety benefit to pilots and their passengers and we welcome all of you to participate in our current survey. “

Achievements over the first quarter in 2023 include:

• We have granted approval to the British Gliding Association (BGA) to act as a Delegated Authority for the initial issue of a Sailplane Pilot’s Licence. This compliments the BGA’s existing approval for assessing applications for the issue of ratings, certificates, or authorisations as well as assessing applications for the issue of a Sailplane Pilot’s Licence on the basis of holding a BGA Certificate.
• As part of our Licensing and Training Simplification project we published our formal Consultation Response Document CAP2532. This summarises the responses we received to the consultation and the next steps for Phase 2.
• We have also published CAP 482, British Civil Airworthiness Requirements (BCAR) Section S – Microlight and Small Light Aeroplanes issue 8 which introduces changes following the 2021 revision of the UK microlight aeroplane definition. We would like to thank all those who participated in the consultation. Special thanks go to the LAA and BMAA for both their participation in the working group and for their significant contributions to the final published document.

• Following an earlier consultation, we have published a new edition of Flying Display Pilot Authorisation and Evaluation: Requirements and Guidance(CAP1724) which contains details on obtaining a Display Authorisation (DA). To participate in a flying display, display pilots are required to obtain a DA.
• The VHF Low Level (LL) Common Frequency is being permanently introduced in the UK. With an ever-increasing trend of Military v Civilian aviation AIRPROX below 2000 FT AGL, the aim of the LL Common Frequency is to improve the barriers to mitigate against Mid-Air Collisions in the UK Low Flying System (UKFLS). Details of the LL Common Frequency can be found in AIC P 047/2023

The team engaged with our GA stakeholders and pilots, either in person or virtually:

• We attended both the Private Flyer Event in May, and AeroExpo in June, where we presented an update on the work of our GA Change Programme, sharing projects that are being delivered for the GA community in conjunction with the Department for Transport (DfT). 2023 GA Stakeholder Event - YouTube
• We have launched a further short survey asking about your experience of active carbon monoxide detectors. Feedback gathered through this survey will help to shape the future use of these devices and how they could be used in piston engine aircraft
• The latest General Aviation Partnership meeting was held in May. Meeting notes:CAP232006  and Meeting presentation: CAP232006A are available to view.

GA community resources and materials shared to support the UK GA flying community to operate safely include:

• As part of the CAA website’s Just Culture webpages we shared our latest Occurrence Report looking at a real-life airworthiness occurrence case study. Just Culture is an essential element of a broader safety culture, promoting continuous learning and encouraging pilots to openly share essential safety related information.
• The latest publication of the new Safety Sense Leaflets: Distraction and Piston Engine Icing were shared. This forms part of the popular General Aviation (GA) Safety Sense Leaflets series which the CAA is currently updating.
• We have shared a series of podcasts over this period. In Talking Radio Telephony we discuss the importance of using the radio as well improving confidence. In our latest GA Podcast we provided a project update on our Licensing and Training simplification project.
• Our latest safety campaign highlights the risks of flying over active gliding sites in support of the work of the British Gliding Association (BGA). A new animation reminds pilots of powered aircraft to check the location of glider sites and the altitude to which a winch launch may operate when they are planning a flight and glider pilots of the importance of reporting. Flying over gliding sites | Civil Aviation Authority (caa.co.uk)
• Our latest Clued-Up article on the UK Airspace Access/Refusal of ATS Report Form and how it helps improve the system for all pilots. The full catalogue of Clued Up articles covering all things General Aviation can be found on the CAA webpages: Clued Up | Civil Aviation Authority (caa.co.uk)  

Astral Aviation Consulting (AAC), a third-party supplier, is providing support on GA Safety promotions. Activities over this past quarter include:

• Workshop: GA drop in clinic  
• Workshop: Skill fade

Registration is now open for the next workshop on Tech.

Astral continues to share useful GA safety information on its website, Facebook page, and Instagram.

Notes to Editors:

• The UK Civil Aviation Authority is the UK’s aviation regulator. We work so that the aviation industry meets the highest safety standards and consumers have choice, value for money, are protected and treated fairly when they fly.
• Further information and resources for the GA community are available on our website at General aviation | Civil Aviation Authority (caa.co.uk)
• You can contact the CAA’s GA team at ga@caa.co.uk