The official magazine of the Aircraft Owner and Pilots Association www.aopa.co.uk 2019 All All new FLIGHT DIRECTORY! Special pullout section aboardthe amphibianLand, sea and sky – the latest amphibious aircraft to hit the market, and how you can get your Seaplane Rating FIRST SOLO AOPA AWARDS COMMUNITY David Hastings takes us Know someone who deserves Your go-to section for all the back to the swinging '60s and some recognition? It's time to latest developments in the memories of his first solo send in your nominations world of AOPA and GA MAGAZINE 04.2019 FREE TO MEMBERS WWW.AOPA.CO.UK 03 CHAIRMAN'S MESSAGE ALL GOOD EDITOR David Rawlings THINGS COME [email protected] ART EDITOR TO AN END Dan Payne [email protected] Y FIRST experience of flying was as a passenger in a de Havilland Dragon Rapide from Northolt Aerodrome. This was early in the post-war years when SUB EDITOR interest in aviation was at a peak, and certainly amongst the then younger Lucy Debenham M generation. There was a public enclosure at Northolt on the grass, not far from the threshold of the main runway, from which the landing aircraft could be viewed CONTRIBUTORS at thrillingly close quarters. From memory, these were mostly BEA Vikings. My father Pauline Vahey, Nick Wilcock, John paid for me and my brother to take a short sightseeing flight in the Rapide to view Walker, David Hastings, George London from the air. After that brief and exciting experience, I was hooked! A spell in Done, Malcolm Bird the RAF cadets kept the excitement alive and I eventually gained a Flying Scholarship, undertaken at Elstree Aerodrome in 1953 in the Miles Hawk Trainer Mk III, more PUBLISHED BY popularly known by its RAF name, the Magister. My flying instructor was David Ogilvy. AOPA UK Subsequently, it became difficult to maintain currency, as an apprentice’s weekly 50a Cambridge Street, pay from Handley Page was barely enough to pay for an hour’s flying (2 guineas per London, SW1V 4QQ hour, at the company Flying Club subsidised rates). A move to Bristol, a growing +44 (0)20 7834 5631 family and a developing career meant flying had to take a back seat. It was not until 1989 that I found myself in a position to take up flying again, regaining my PPL on ADVERTISING & SUBSCRIPTIONS Tomahawks (ugh!) at Leavesden Aerodrome. I was on my way there when, by chance, I encountered David at Watford Junction Station. At that time, he was Chairman of AOPA UK AOPA. One thing led to another, and on semi-retirement from academia I was enlisted British Light Aviation Centre into helping AOPA, initially taking on maintenance and engineering problems. The Light 50a Cambridge Street London, SW1V 4QQ Aircraft Maintenance Schedule (LAMS) was a big issue at the time, as the CAA was +44 (0)20 7834 5631 proposing a hugely disproportionate gold-plating exercise. Consultation was not the name of the game at that time, and all the associations had to work hard together to HEAD OF ADVERTISING achieve a sensible and practical outcome. At the same time, there was much to learn David Impey about the many other aspects of General Aviation, and the invitation to take over the +44 (0)7742 605338 chairmanship from David took me completely by surprise. On 01 April 2000, with approval by the Board, I was ensconced in the hot seat! PRINTING The years since then have been extremely fulfilling and a lot of fun, with many Ruddocks rewarding achievements relying on teamwork with volunteer board members and 56 Great Northern Terrace, particularly with the AOPA executive and office staff. One of the most memorable Lincoln LN5 8HL moments was the achievement of getting over 1,500 light aircraft aloft in December +44 (0)1522 529591 2003 for the Grand Centenary Fly-Out to celebrate 100 years of powered flight. The www.ruddocks.co.uk UK was blessed that day with bright and calm weather except for one small area near Southport, which was fogbound, much to the disappointment of the local flyers. But, © British Light Aviation Centre Ltd back to the present: I am happy to announce that, as from 1 April 2019, AOPA will AOPA is a member of the International have a new Chairman, namely Pauline Vahey, our current Vice Chairman. Pauline was Council of Aircraft Owners and appointed to the Board in 2011 and chairs the Corporate Members Committee and, Pilots Association. IAOPA since 2012, the AOPA Members Working Group. I have valued the support from all AOPA members over the years, and I feel assured that you will provide the same for Pauline in her new role. • 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 June George Done issue should be recieved no later than 01 Chairman, AOPA UK May 2019. [email protected] April 2019 AOPA Aircraft Owner and Pilot 04 INSIDE THIS MONTH CONTENTS APRIL 2019 07AOPA AFFAIRS It must be coming to an end 16NEWS All the latest news from the world of soon, but Martin Robinson once again turns his General Aviation, including events, how the CAA attention to Brexit and what could happen in has been helping, and much more. the event of no deal. 09AOPA COMMUNITY Your go-to guide for 21FLIGHT DIRECTORY The complete guide what's going on in the world of AOPA, and what to AOPA's affiliated clubs and organisations. is being done to ensure you're protected and If you're looking to do something with flight- able to fly safely. related, look no further. 10WORKING FOR YOU AOPA's new Chairman 34AWARDS FEATURE An AOPA Award is a big Pauline Vahey informs us of the latest news deal and recipients are always overwhelmed. from the most recent Members Working Group If there's someone you want to acknowledge, meeting. find out how to nominate them here. 11AIRFIELDS UPDATE John Walker reports 36COVER STORY It's time to get your sea legs. on the UK's airfields that are currently under AOPA gets all shipshape and looks at the world threat from property developers as well as local of amphibious aircraft and how you can have a councils. go, or even get a rating... 12PPL CORNER An unusual turn this month 44TECH REVIEW This month we look at a unique, in PPL Corner. After reading Adam Winter's handmade timepiece that uses parts of a very instructor's point of view of the First Solo, David famous Spitfire currently being restored by Hastings offers his opinion from the other seat. Peter Teichman. 14HELP AND ADVICE In a new regular section, 45BOOK REVIEW The Hawker Hunter is one of AOPA's Maintenance Working Goup offers Britain’s favourite aircraft. We review a book some help and guidance, including safety that documents the entire service history of reporting and how to use the new 8.33 radios. this instantly recognisable aircraft. AOPA Aircraft Owner and Pilot April 2019 05 EDITOR'S MOMENT Spring has sprung – although I thought about writing that for the February issue as the weather was so good, but now it's definitely here. And what perfect timing (these things don't happen by accident), as this issue includes AOPA's complete Flight Directory. So if you promised yourself a Night Rating, an IMC or just to fly something new, head to page 21 and uncover a whole treasure trove of fun things to do with flying. You'll also be able to get your AOPA Wings Award. While you're thinking of awards, then flick to page 34 where you'll be able to take part in AOPA's Awards, being held in mid June at AeroExpo. And finally, if you fancy helping AOPA by being part of the volunteer team at AeroExpo then email info@ aopa.co.uk and register your interest. And if you're there, just come and say, "hi!" – the kettle is always on. 12 Blue skies! David Rawlings Editor, AOPA Magazine UK 34 [email protected] 44 April 2019 AOPA Aircraft Owner and Pilot 07 AOPA AFFAIRS WHERE ARE WE WITH BREXIT? S I write this we are still with over-regulation and reducing costs. 13 days away from Brexit. "EASA has been saying We have two regulatory oversight However, if we leave the that subject to approval, processes in the form of EASA and UK A EU we will become a 'third national system. Part of the problem country' – the same as the USA and UK aviation businesses with Aviation 2050 is the CAA’s lack Canada. If we leave with a deal there is of ability to make unilateral changes to likely to be a two-year transition period. could seek third country EASA regulations, whilst at the same But with a 'No Deal' Brexit things will be time proposing changes to national rules different. We do not know how different, approval and oversight that can undermine those operators that but we are fairly sure that our current have to comply with EASA. The safety membership of EASA will change. direct from EASA" benefits for operating a certified aircraft The Government has been suggesting when compared to a non-certified a partnership based on capabilities and pages; Chapter 7 deals with General aircraft cannot be justified when you subject to future legal agreement post Aviation but other chapters also have consider the costs.