Flying as a career

Posted on 07/05/202308/05/2023

During the COVID 19 pandemic commercial flying came to a shuddering halt and many airlines responded by offering early retirement to senior, more expensive pilots. Now the pandemic is over, demand is rising and pilots need to be replaced. This offers opportunities both to existing pilots who may see faster progression and to those considering commercial flying as a career. US aviation industry analysts Oliver Wyman suggests there will be a shortage of some 79,000 pilots by 2032.

Every commercial pilot starts by learning the basics in a single engine propeller driven aircraft. Basic training in a small simple aircraft allows the prospective airline captain to understand how the aircraft flies, the importance of power and control in maintaining safe and smooth operations. This initial training is the bedrock of all future flying experience.

Students may opt to take a ‘Modular’ training approach, obtaining their Commercial Pilots Licence in distinct steps. The first step is the Private Pilots Licence, offered by flight Schools such as Theta Squared Aviation. Louis, one of our recent students (qualifying 2020) took this route. Other students opt to take the significant step of joining an Integrated Commercial Course. This will take the student from beginner to commercial pilot. It is a simple offering, but an expensive commitment. Flight schools which offer an Integrated Course will assess candidates before offering a place. So even if you opt for an Integrated Course 5 or 10 hours of flying & theory training with Theta Squared could prepare for your assessment, demonstrate your commitment, and improve your chances of success.

Rules of the Air

Posted on 24/04/202307/05/2023

You will all be familiar with The Highway Code. It is essential reading for all who want to pass their driving test in the UK. Well, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) produce a flying equivalent, The Skyway Code.

The Skyway code is free to download from the CAA website. It is packed full of easy to read explanations, diagrams and tips for safe and legal flying. Subjects include Met Reports, Navigation, Radio Communications, Crosswind landings and even flying across international borders. If you prefer to keep the book version for bedtime reading, then we can sell you a copy at the cost price £12.95.

If you are planning to learn to fly and therefore must take the CAA theory exams, the Skyway code will not cover each subject in sufficient detail. But once you have qualified as a PPL it is a fantastic resource for keeping current on most aspects of flying. We recommend every PPL adds this publication to their Christmas list.

A Few Days on Isles of Scilly

Posted on 11/01/202110/12/2021

Summer 2020 offered some good flying weather. Between COVID Lockdowns I managed to snatch a few days on Isles of Scilly. I flew from Headcorn to St Marys in a Socata TB20. Flight time was around 2 hours 40 minutes with a 28 mile crossing from Lands End to St Marys. Pre-flight planning confirmed availability of Radar services from Farnborough, Solent, Exeter and Newquay. The plan was to fly VFR along the south coast to Plymouth then route towards Newquay to then Lands End.

On the outbound trip we had great weather, few clouds at around 5000 feet allowing a VFR flight all the way while receiving either Basic or Traffic services en-route.

The return trip was not so straight forward. Cloud was overcast at 800 feet. Lands End had cancelled all Helicopter and Commercial flights to and from Scilly. Having filed a flight plan we departed from the shortish Runway 27 at St Marys. At 600 feet we banked right over the archipelago, completed post take off checks and started our climb into cloud. Breaking through into clear skies at 3500 feet we continued direct to Lands End. From there we were passed onto Culdrose Radar. We cruised on top of overcast cloud at Flight Level 050 all the way to Isle of Wight working with Solent Radar for clearances. Routing towards Brighton, holes started to appear in the cloud and by the time we were at Seaford cloud was scattered, turning direct to Headcorn we descended to 2000 feet and prepared to join for the home circuit.

A great way to use the freedom of a Pilot Licence.

Brexit things …

Posted on 30/09/202030/09/2020

Amid the continuing negotiations about the UK's future relationship with the EU, there is one thing we know for sure: the UK will no longer be part of the EU Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) system after 31 December this year.

The CAA are working with the UK Government to provide some certainity to businesses and pilots about any future UK-EU aviation safety agreement and whether mutual recognition of licences, certificates and approvals will be included in it. The Transition period ends 31 December this year, so we are all keen to understand how a future UK-EU aviation safety agreement might work, and whether mutual recognition of licences, certificates and approvals will be included in it. And in the event of a No-Deal exit we do at least know that the CAA and many stakeholders in industry have been working out what a 'non-negotiated outcome' would look like, and preparing for it, for the last four years.

For those interested or concerned the CAA have put together a brief summary of the regulatory changes involved, and a longer, more detailed EU Exit microsite which is updated regularly with additional info as and when this emerges.

Flying north? Avoid infringing Luton’s airspace

Posted on 30/09/202025/04/2023

The CAA continue to highlight problems caused by private pilots accidently infringing controlled airspace.

Flying from Kent to the north of the UK often means routing close to Luton's Class D airspace. Take a look at the latest CAA advice on keeping clear of the Luton zone, or talk to Luton Radar on 129.550 for transit clearance.

The CAA's Airspace & Safety Initiative website provides a lot of useful information about a number of hotspots for air infringements. A few moments reviewing this site whilst planning a flight to a new airfield, or using a new route could pay dividends, and save considerable embarassment. You can also follow the tweets from @airspacesafety for more information and helpful links.

Airspace infringements: they are expensive!

Posted on 25/01/202030/09/2020

Another update about importance of navigation accuracy. Airspace infringements can be can cause disruption to other flights, as ATC have to route 'known traffic' clear of unknown interlopers. They cannot predict what an unknown aircraft will do so have to allow significant separation for flight safety. Infringements can prove very expensive; you will be tracked, interviewed and maybe prosecuted and fined.

Headcorn-based pilots flying to destinations west of us (such as Goodwood, Lee-on-Solent, Compton Abbas, Bembridge or Sandown ) need to take care near the Class D airspace at Solent (Southampton). The Airspace & Safety website covers clearance through the Solent zone, tips on avoiding infringements, and lists the Visual Reference Points (VRPs) that you need to be able to identify when talking to Solent ATC.

If you're considering transitting south-west of the London control zone (flights around Farnborough, Blackbushe, Thruxton, Fairoaks or Dunsfold) then spending a few moments reviewing the information provided by the CAA about south west London should help you plan a safe and successful flight.

Happy Landings – CAA Advice

Posted on 26/07/201930/09/2020

If you are set up for a stable final approach your landing is much more likely to be a smooth and stress free event. If your approach is not stable, you are much more likely to have a ‘controlled collision with the earth’. Save yourself, your passengers and your aeroplane stress. Approach at the right speed and in trim. The CAA have offered interesting and easy to read advice. Unstable Approaches

Controlled Airspace

Posted on 21/03/201930/09/2020

Infringements of Controlled Airspace are a hot topic within General Aviation, and reviewing real-life experience can provide useful learnings for students and the more experienced pilots alike. Here's the CAA analysis of an infringement of the Luton Zone that is well worth a read. As a result of this aircraft being in the wrong place commercial flights were disrupted to avoid further safety risks. The Pilot was prosecuted and fined over £7000.