The official magazine of the Aircraft Owner and Pilots Association www.aopa.co.uk ElectricThe days of fossil fuels are numbered. dreams It's a global issue that needs to be resolved. Thankfully there are companies in aviation looking for answers. We investigate what they're offering... CERTIFIED DYNON AIRFIELDS UPDATE Dynon has big plans The latest on the for Certified aircraft UK airfields at risk ACROSS THE US AIRSPACE WOWS David Hastings spots Nick Wilcock's insight UFOs on his adventure to penalty-free flying MAGAZINE 10.2017 FREE TO MEMBERS WWW.AOPA.CO.UK 03 CHAIRMAN'S MESSAGE THE FUTURE OF EDITOR David Rawlings GA IS BRIGHT [email protected] OPA Chief Executive Martin Robinson and I visited RAF Syerston in August to present the Lennox-Boyd Trophy, AOPA’s oldest and ART EDITOR Dan Payne most prestigious award, to AOPA member Carol Vorderman MBE. As [email protected] A someone whose name is widely recognised in the UK, her support of young British cadets as well as her proposed solo flight around the world in a SUB EDITOR GA aircraft has raised – and continues to raise – the profile of General Aviation, Lucy Debenham especially for our younger generation. The presentation took place at a summer camp for air cadets, and a more appropriate venue could not have been found. CONTRIBUTORS The photograph on page 18 shows the enthusiasm and delight of the cadets. Adam Winter, Nick Wilcock, Prior to the presentation, Martin and I were given a whistle-stop tour of the Pauline Vahey, various training activities arranged for the cadets attending the camp. These John Walker, David Hastings, included winch-launched gliding and 20 minute flights in a Chinook helicopter Neil Monks (30 cadets at a time in this big and noisy beast) and, on the ground, hands-on courses on radio, air traffic control, drones, defence technology and piloting skills PUBLISHED BY using part-task training simulators. Also, as part of key community engagement, AOPA UK the Aviation Skills Partnership had arranged for a master class in aviation for 50a Cambridge Street, 50 non-cadet pupils. Overall, a wide variety of career opportunities in aviation London, SW1V 4QQ were presented. The enthusiasm conveyed by the cadets for all the activities +44 (0)20 7834 5631 was pleasing to see, and the visit brought back pleasant memories for Martin and I, who are both former air cadets. I was lucky enough to be awarded a flying ADVERTISING scholarship, enabling me to earn my PPL before starting work at the Handley Page & SUBSCRIPTIONS aircraft company. AOPA UK The event provided an upbeat counterbalance to the downward trend of the British Light Aviation Centre 50a Cambridge Street number of PPLs issued by the CAA over the past decade. Previously, the well- London, SW1V 4QQ being of GA has been a strong indicator of the level of activity in commercial +44 (0)20 7834 5631 pilot flight training. If this is still the case, then forecasts of growth in the CAT sector are worth studying. Aircraft manufacturer Boeing has analysed the future HEAD OF ADVERTISING market for airframes over the next 20 years, highlighting an ‘extraordinary David Impey demand’ for people to fly and maintain commercial aircraft. It forecasts that +44 (0)7742 605338 617,000 commercial airline pilots will be needed; 40% in the Asia Pacific region alone, and 18% (or just over 100,000) closer to home here in Europe. The PRINTING demand is global, and the promotion of flying as a career – for business, personal Fisherprint transport, or recreation – will be important. For AOPA, the focus needs to be on Padholme Road how to get people into flying, whatever the age group. Peterborough, PE1 5UL Those days as a student pilot may be long forgotten, but it is still the case +44 (0)1733 341444 that the initial training is undertaken in General Aviation aircraft at flying clubs www.fisherprint.co.uk and flight training organisations. A large proportion of these, in the UK, are AOPA Corporate Members. In support, the AOPA Training Committee provides a © British Light Aviation Centre Ltd valuable forum for constructive discussion and engagement with the regulators AOPA is a member of the International Council of Aircraft Owners and on licensing and training matters. It is through activities such as these that AOPA Pilots Association. IAOPA aims to ensure the future viability of general aviation, for which your continued support is welcomed. • Articles, photographs and news items from AOPA members and other readers are welcome. Please send to the Editor. Inclusion of material in AOPA Magazine cannot be guaranteed, however, and remains at the discretion of the Editor. Material for consideration for the George Done December 2017 issue should be received Chairman, AOPA UK no later than 01 November 2017. [email protected] October 2017 AOPA Aircraft Owner and Pilot 04 INSIDE THIS MONTH CONTENTS OCTOBER 2017 07CHIEF EXECUTIVE'S DIARY It's been a busy 18NEWS All the latest news from around month for Martin Robinson. Along with a trip the globe, including Carol Vorderman, the to Romania, he has also undertaken an AOPA European Gliding Championships, and much, fly-in to Iceland, amongst other things! much more. 09AOPA COMMUNITY The section of the 24FLYING FEATURE 3,000 miles from coast to magazine just for you. Everything you need to coast in the US. David Hastings MBE regales know about the world of AOPA and how it's us with his story about his trip across America helping GA pilots. – including a UFO sighting. 10WORKING FOR YOU The Members Working 28COVER STORY Electric dreams. We have to Group flew in to Gloucester Airport for their face the fact that Avgas won't be here forever. latest meeting. Read what they’ve been But there are alternatives, and these aircraft working on for the good of aviation. are at the forefront of technology. 13AIRFIELDS UPDATE John Walker collates all 36TRAINING FEATURE Not another airspace the latest news from airfields around the UK infringement story? Well yes, but Nick Wilcock to let us know which ones are under threat explains exactly how to ensure you don't drift from developers and local councils. off course. 14PPL CORNER Adam Winter invites us to learn 41TECH REVIEW Dynon Avionics has how to navigate one of the world's busiest announced that, after years in the parts of airspace, South East England, without experimental market, it is going to launch a getting pinged. range of products for Certified aircraft. 16HELP AND ADVICE What exactly is going on 42BOOK REVIEW Nick Wilcock reviews Tony with European Airspace? Neil Monks unravels Buttler's book detailing the Miles M.52 project. this complex issue to see how GA is benefiting The book goes into more detail than any other from the Single European Sky programme. about Britain's first supersonic aeroplane. AOPA Aircraft Owner and Pilot October 2017 05 EDITOR'S MOMENT LOOKING AHEAD Firstly, thank you to everyone who sent emails, letters and comments about the last issue of AOPA UK. I have to hold my hands up and apologise for the mistakes that were made in the magazine. I can assure you that they were human error and not intentional. I try to ensure that all members have a magazine they enjoy picking up and want to read from cover-to-cover. I, along with my team, will make sure we are diligent to ensure your enjoyment isn't quelled by simple mistakes. Right, that said, there's still some good weather out there and still plenty of flying to be done before the nights really draw in and we have to sit there waiting for spring 2018. In this issue there are plenty of features to not only help you perfect your flying, but also get you into the cockpit and in search of your own aviation adventures. The next issue will help with some winter maintenance so your pride and joy will remain 28 well-kept over winter. David Rawlings Editor, AOPA Magazine UK 41 [email protected] 22 Octbober 2017 AOPA Aircraft Owner and Pilot 07 CHIEF EXECUTIVE'S DIARY IT IS ALWAYS A PLEASURE MEETING OUR MEMBERS ne of the most rewarding Botta in his C182 from Bucharest to parts of my job is to fly and Tuzla. Julian said: "OK, I fly! You meet fellow aviators. And so navigate and do the radio!" Well it all O it was, when I paid a long worked out. I want to congratulate the overdue visit to the AOPA Iceland fly-in Romanian ATCOs who were able to deal in Mulakot and Tuzla in Romania. It is with switching between English and always a pleasure to meet members Romanian. who provide the financial backing and Whilst the primary purpose was to support to the association through speak in a conference organised by their membership. Even if we have not Pria about the GAGA work AOPA UK met in person, let me thank you for is doing, it coincided with a local fly-in your support, because without you GA which, to my utter amazement, was doesn't have an independent voice. packed with people. During the flying display three Diamonds flew in formation AUGUST and it was very well executed. I am sure As this is the month that most people it was exciting for the spectators. The take their annual holiday, it's usually lead pilot had a job with EasyJet, and the the least busiest month in the AOPA other two were club instructors. calendar. Back in the conference there was a discussion on professional flight training.