What flying competitions can you take part in as a General Aviation pilot? There’s a surprising number of events and a wide range of sports, from air racing to short take-off and landing (STOL) competitions. For the tourers, there’s the Pooleys Dawn to Dusk Challenge, navigation exercises or precision/rally flying.

The SkyDemon tip is about integrated AIPs and airfield guides.

In the news we discuss:
Old Sarum Airfield wins planning appeal
Bicester Airfield hangar restored
New helicopters everywhere at the Verticon trade show
Fuel prices

In What Caught My Eye this week:
Annabel intercepts a video from Sam Rutherford
Dave spots a Spitfire
Ed finds a real-life fantasy hangar that’s straight out of a Bond movie

Links:
FLY2026 - https://forums.flyer.co.uk/viewtopic.php?t=139024

Attend/Enter Real Stol event -https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1iYGU1REw62u-sArdKHEr3HDIyO-FWFARUD3v8vYDjtE/edith

Spitfires.com circumnavigation - https://www.spitfires.com/spitfire90

RRRA - https://www.royalaeroclubrrra.co.uk/

British Aerobatics - https://www.aerobatics.org.uk/

Top Nav - https://rin.org.uk/page/TopNav

Precision Flying World Championship 2026 - https://wpfc2026.pl/

British Precision Pilots Association -
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1687052261663401

Welcome to the Flyer show videos send to - [email protected] - Via WeTransfer

#aviationnews #generalaviation #aircraft #pilots #airrace

The UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has sent the strongest signal yet that ADS-B electronic conspicuity will become mandatory for most aircraft operating in UK lower airspace. Why? How? When? We don’t know all the answers yet but here’s what we do know.

Plus, in the News:
90th anniversary of the Spitfire’s first flight - and news of a very special Spitfire event at Shuttleworth
Italian manufacturer announces a new twin-engine aircraft, the Pioneer 800 Twin
Latest update on Van’s RV-15, one of the most eagerly awaited kitplanes ever
Popham: SkyDemon releases a heatmap showing GA flights into and out of the Hampshire airfield which puts paid to the argument “it’s not important”

FLYER Club news
Four free landing vouchers for March 2026 plus new webinars and club opportunities coming up

In What Caught My Eye this week:
Dave revels in the return of AFORS.com, the crazily designed but highly addictive website packed full of aircraft for sale

Ian discover the Bellanca Airbus (later renamed to Aircruiser), a sesquiplane. What’s that? Watch and find out!

Ed is reminded of the time a Russian Ilyushin IL-96 airliner made a short-field landing on grass… and survived

LINKS
FLYER’s #FLY2026 Challenge https://forums.flyer.co.uk/viewtopic.php?t=139024

CAA Electronic Conspicuity report https://www.caa.co.uk/data-and-publications/publications/documents/content/cap3217/

AFORS https://afors.com

IL-62 strip landing https://youtu.be/wGzGR2KrwxU?si=7jrLtu8HD_GG634s

Shuttleworth Spitfire Summer Airshow https://www.shuttleworth.org/events/summer-air-show

#aviationnews #generalaviation #aircraft #pilots #aircraftlanding

Which is the best app for finding information about that airfield you’re thinking of flying to?

In the news:
What’s happening at Andrewsfield?
What’s K59? Tecnam revamps fleet to fit new US sport pilot rules
General Aviation did well in 2025 but which aircraft were the big winners?

FLYER Club News
Latest webinar on better radio use is live, plus four new free landing fees for March

In What Caught My Eye
Ian celebrates the Short Take-Off and Landing (STOL) contest being staged this summer by the Real Aeroplane Club at Breighton (spoiler: it’s every bit a party as well as a STOL Fest)
Dave can’t wait to fly a Murphy Moose powered by a 550hp turboprop
Ed spots a bit of Piper history at the Vero Beach factory

Join the FLYER Club today https://flyer.co.uk/membership/

#aviationnews #generalaviation #airfield #pilots #weather

We set a maximum budget of £50,000 and went looking in the classifieds (and elsewhere) for two choices:  Hot (aircraft we’d really like) and Not (aircraft we’d rather not). Ian falls for a beautifully made Chilton monoplane, even though it’s too small him to fly. Dave eyes a Luscombe (no surprise there) and Ed goes for a Yak 50 even though it’s life limited (the Yak, not Ed).

In the news:

• GASCo starts winding up after 60+ years promoting safety in aviation
• Red Bull’s Dario Costa lets the train take the strain (and his Edge 540 aircraft)
• Pilot Careers: Opportunities with Jet2, the new Oxford Airline Training and Leading Edge

In What Caught My Eye:

• Ian is surprised to find a Dyn Aero (now SE Aviation) MCR4S with no windscreen, hard points and a distinctly different purpose
• Dave sees Aerobility being given an all-electric Pipistrel two-seater to take disabled people flying
• Ed spies the lesser spotted Pasped Skylark… that’s Pasped as in Pas-Ped, not Passed as in Expired.
  
  Join Today www.flyer.co.uk/membership
  
  Thanks to AFORS www.afors.com
  & Plane Selling plane-selling.com
  & Rare Aircraft www.facebook.com/primoresto

Britain’s airfields and airports are under threat. Popham, Coventry, Tollerton, Gloucester and Old Sarum are just some facing an uncertain future. This week we bring an update - likely to be the first of many.

In the news, we discuss:
Pilot Medical Declaration (PMD) - yet another CAA consultation
In the US, the powerful Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) is in turmoil. Why?
AERO Friedrichshafen: fly in slots open and news of a FLYER Club special discount
Closet air racers: time to shine as Popham stages race school 
“30 feet… 10 feet… 5 feet… 15 feet… oops!” Garmin releases its Height Advisor (radar altimeter to you and me) for certified aircraft
Dawn to Dusk Challenge 2025 winners announced
PLUS Breaking News: new agent for Bristell certified aircraft in the UK

In What Caught My Eye this week:
Ian bursts with amazement at Monte Warne’s ‘Bubble Plane’
Dave salivates over this year’s Raduno in Italy
Ed whirls over a lightweight helicopter which flies on just 62hp

Links
CAA PMD Consultation https://consultations.caa.co.uk/ga/pilot-medical-declaration/
Register for Air Race School https://www.royalaeroclubrrra.co.uk/event-list
Pooleys 2026 Dawn to Dusk Challenge https://www.pooleys.com/dawn-to-dusk/
Tollerton Crowdfunder campaign https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/save-nottingham-airfield

Simple but effective tips to improve your R/T! ATC expert Darren Lewington gives three straightforward ways to transform mumbling and stumbling radio calls into a thing of fluency. 

In the news we discuss:
Cirrus launches Generation 3 Vision Jet with six seats and more than 30 tweaks
N-reg drama over: FAA starts to reissue aircraft certificates
Volocopter buzzing: Back with two electric helicopters
Pilot caught short: the story behind our lead item

In What Caught My Eye: 
Dave spots the truly gorgeous Junkers A50 Heritage landing on ice
Annabel returns tongue Thai-d from flying in Thailand
Ed finds a dream floatplane business and house for sale

Links (to follow)
Join the Flyer Club - https://flyer.co.uk/membership
Pilot Careers Live - https://www.pilotcareernews.com/live/
Thailand Flying Club - https://www.bfaflyingclub.com/
#FLY2026 - https://forums.flyer.co.uk/viewtopic.php?t=139024
ATC Story Forum Link - https://forums.flyer.co.uk/viewtopic.php?t=139106
Float Plane Business for Sale - https://www.barnstormers.com/classified-2025443-FLOAT-PLANE-OPERATION.html
Gamston treasure hunt - https://flyer.co.uk/event/aerial-treasure-hunt-retford-gamston-airport/

#aviation #aviationnews #pilots #generalaviation #flying

Will your revalidation refresher flight turn into a test?

That's one of the top three takeaways from this week's news of CAA licensing changes. Others include: Microlights are OK for Commercial Pilot Licence training and there are dark clouds ahead for instructors using a Pilot Medical Declaration. Plus: Return of the IMC Rating.
 
In the news we discuss:
·   Tayside Aviation faces dissolution leaving students out of pocket
·   Mooney Aircraft thrown a lifeline
·   Aerotech to close ahead of Coventry Airport's final day
·   Airfield Petition receives 10,000+ signatures
·   Microlight hero Malcolm McBride RIP
 
In What Caught My Eye, Dave fantasises over a final flight for Coventry's Nimrod,  Ian congratulations the pilot of NASA's Canberra after a belly landing, and Ed tinkers with Shuttleworth's de Havilland Comet (and sits in the pilot seat making noises).
 
Links:
#FLY2026: https://forums.flyer.co.uk/viewtopic.php?t=139024
Airfield petition (ends 1 February!):  https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/732869
CAA Wave 2 Comment Responses: https://www.caa.co.uk/data-and-publications/publications/documents/content/cap3212/
Nimrod final engine run: https://youtu.be/hLgdt0uOgZs?si=5Lh5eraMdEKpFdHo
Shuttleworth Collection: https://www.shuttleworth.org/

#aviation #aviationnews #pilots #generalaviation #flying

We visit Compton Abbas Airfield to talk with new Accountable Manager Ben Perkins and Head of Aviation James Wolstenholme about some welcome changes coming up at one of the UK’s most picturesque airfields, set in the Dorset countryside.

Plus we run through this week’s top news stories including:
French Superstar: latest 2026 Daher TBM 980
Update on the grounded N-reg aircraft
Launch of Pooleys Dawn to Dusk Competition 2026
Update on the Colin Hales and LAA situation
Flying scholarships at Goodwood Flying School
Popham Airfield: 1 day left to act

This week we also have ‘What Caught My Eye’ with Dave in rapture over a US YouTuber strapped to the loading ramp of an RAF A400M flying the Mach Loop (yes, you read that right), Ian on the very public row between Ryanair boss Michael O’Leary and X’s Elon Musk, and Ed spots an ad for a very thirsty (and expensive) aircraft, a 1963 Howard 500.

Links:

Popham Airfield consultation: https://flyer.co.uk/feature/save-popham-airfield-now-is-the-time/

Pooleys Dawn to Dusk 2026:
https://flyer.co.uk/2026-international-dawn-to-dusk-competition-announced-by-pooleys/

Sam Eckholm A400M Mach Loop video: https://youtu.be/g60IkGJwkjU?si=uGi9FGHUhlJKZy3F
Howard 500 advertisement:
https://www.platinumfighters.com/inventory/1963-dee-howard-500/

Send us your “Welcome to The FLYER Show’ video:
Via WeTransfer to [email protected]

#aviation #aviationnews #pilots #generalaviation #flying

This episode of The Flyer Show takes a look at the latest general aviation news, brings you your weekly SkyDemon tip, and of course your weekend weather outlook.

The team discusses the FAA decision that has grounded N-registered aircraft held in trust with Southern Aircraft Consultancy, and what the possible solutions might be. 

There's the latest in the Colin Hales/LAA story, the financial position of Lydd Airport, the proposed sale of Gloucestershire Airport and the consultation around Popham Airfield.

#aviation #aviationnews #pilots #generalaviation #flying 

The links!
Join the Flyer Club - https://flyer.co.uk/membership
Pilot Careers Live - https://www.pilotcareernews.com/live/
Popham Consultation - https://www.pophamairfieldmatters.org/
That FAA grounding story - https://flyer.co.uk/n-registered-aircraft-held-in-trust-with-southern-aircraft-consultancy-grounded/
A&P investigates G100UL (YouTube) - https://www.youtube.com/@mluvara

In this episode of the FLYER Show – the first of 2026! – we bring you the latest general aviation news and we look forward to general aviation flying in 2026, including launching our #FLY2026 challenge!

- SkyDemon top tip covering flight log analysis
- First real-world emergency landing using Garmin’s Autoland system
- Rotax 916-powered Bristell B23 gets EASA certified
- Cirrus Aircraft deliver their 11,000th SR aircraft and launch the G7+ model for 2026
- Plus time is getting critical to make your voice heard in the consultation threatening Popham Airfield.

Looking ahead to flying in 2026, learn about the winners of our #FLY2025 Challenge, and are you ready for #FLY2026 Challenge?

Plus there’s reflections on GA, microlighting and gliding activity, and previews of major aviation events such as AERO Friedrichshafen, the LAA Rally, Popham Microlight Trade Fair, Oshkosh and SleapKosh.

A comprehensive episode for anyone interested in aviation, flying, aircraft engineering, aviation news and staying active as a pilot in the UK.

#aviation #aviationnews #pilots #generalaviation #flying #aircraft 

The links!
Join the FLYER Club - https://flyer.co.uk/membership
Pilot Careers Live - https://www.pilotcareernews.com/live/
#FLY2026 - forums.flyer.co.uk/viewtopic.php?t=139024