Compton Abbas Airfield sold – new flying school operator sought
Compton Abbas Airfield in north Dorset has been sold to nearby neighbour, movie director Guy Ritchie. In a letter confirming the purchase, Mr Ritchie said: “We are pleased to announce that Ashcombe Estates are purchasing Compton Abbas Airfield from the Hughes family. Compton Abbas Airfield is an important part of the local area and has been the heart of the flying community here for many years. “We will keep running the Airfield in...
Engine failures – time for a training re-vamp?
In a highly unusual move, the UK Air Accident Investigation Branch (AAIB) has urged the CAA to re-think how engine failures are taught and emergency procedures practiced. The AAIB action comes after two recent accidents involving partial engine failures in the take-off phase of flight. Their investigation into these serious accidents has prompted the AAIB to call for a change in UK flight training syllabi to cover situation of partial...
Does dual licence training work?
In the post-Brexit era, commercial pilot cadets training in the UK are now facing the conundrum of whether to train towards a UK licence; to train towards an EU licence; or whether to maximise their future employability by training for both. With a growing number of UK schools offering dual training programmes, cadets are now able to train towards both licences at the same time, but is this a realistic challenge to be undertaking and...
Neuroscience tech trial for cadet pilots
Rome, Italy based ATO Urbe Aero has been trialling new neuroscience technology, designed to aid real-time evaluation of the different human factors that affect pilots. Urbe Aero says that the aviation industry is moving away from an hours-based to a competency-based training approach and neuroscience is nowadays able to provide objective insights regarding human factors behind those core competencies that a pilot should overcome, such...
ACT NOW! – CAA advises urgent action on licence applications
The UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) is urging EU-licensed pilots, engineers and aviation businesses operating in the UK to gain dual UK licences as quickly as possible, fearing that some may leave it too late to make an end of year deadline. Currently, the UK CAA is permitting EU licensed pilots to operate UK-registered aircraft (meanwhile the EU has decided not to reciprocate by recognising UK licences). However, this permission...
