22 | Pilot June 2018 | pilotweb.aero
Flight training
EASA outlines
‘Introductory
Flights’ rules
EASA has launched a new
‘Introductory Flights’ provision
aimed at allowing people to
be given air experience in light
aircraft without the pilot having
to hold an instructor’s rating
or for the flight to be operated
under commercial air transport
rules. The flight must be
performed either via an EASA-
approved training organisation
with its principal place of
business in the UK, or through an
organisation created to promote
aerial sport or leisure aviation,
and subject to these conditions:
z The aircraft is either owned or
dry leased by the organisation
z Any profit made from the
flights is kept within the
organisation
z If non-members of the
organisation are involved – for
example members of the
public – the flights represent
only a marginal activity of the
organisation.
EASA and non-EASA aircraft
may be used, but they must
have a valid C of A or be type-
approved Permit to Fly types that
are already allowed to be used
for remunerated training and
self-fly hire within the terms of
the relevant exemptions.
‘We would expect these flights
to last around 30-90 minutes,
although for gliders this may
vary depending on the weather.
In the case of aeroplanes and
helicopters, they must return to
the place of departure,’ EASA
says. ‘(Such flights) are not
designed, and should not be
sold, to replace the traditional
trial lesson in which a qualified
instructor would typically give
a demonstration of the controls
and some flight training exercises
with the participant handling
the aircraft. Flight time as a
passenger on an introductory
flight will not count as training
towards the grant of a pilot’s
licence. While holders of
private licences may conduct
introductory flights, they may not
personally receive any payment
for doing so.’
Notes
EASA defines those permitted
to offer such flights as: ‘an
organisation created with the
aim of promoting aerial sport or
leisure aviation means a non-
profit organisation, established
under national law for the sole
purpose of gathering persons
sharing the same interest in
general aviation to fly for pleasure
or to conduct parachute jumping.
The organisation should have
aircraft available. “Introductory
flight” means any flight against
remuneration or other valuable
consideration consisting of an air
tour of short duration, offered by
an approved training organisation
or an organisation created with
the aim of promoting aerial sport
or leisure aviation, for the purpose
of attracting new trainees or new
members.
‘The term “marginal activity”
should be understood as
representing a very minor part
of the overall activity of an
organisation, mainly for the
purpose of promoting itself
or attracting new students
or members. An organisation
intending to offer such flights as
regular business activity is not
considered to meet the condition
of marginal activity. Also, flights
organised with the sole intent
to generate income for the
organisation are not considered
to be a marginal activity.’ Furtherinformation can be found at:
caa.co.uk/uploadedFiles/CAA/
Content/Standard_Content/
General_aviation_and_
events/Types_of_aircraft/
Introductory%20Flights%20
Guidance%20V%203.1.pdf Ultimate Aerobatics
is the Pitts
Two of the UK’s foremost
aerobatic pilots have taken
over Freestyle Aviation from
Alan Cassidy and are offering
aerobatics training and
experience flights in a White
Waltham-based Pitts S2A.
After more than 25 years of
running Freestyle Aviation, Alan
Cassidy has decided to step
down and hand over to Mike and
Emily Collett, both members of
the British Advanced Aerobatic
team, former British champions,
and display pilots who operate
Ultimate Aerobatics. Alan
will share his experience and
knowledge by continuing to
instruct and offer aerobatic
flights. Mike and Emily say they
are “keen to share their passion
with everyone, even if just for
the most gentlest of aerobatics
for the most nervous of pilots or
passengers,” and will be offering
flights to anyone who has a
desire to experience aerobatics,
for aerobatic training or to
buy a flight as a present. Theyadd that the Pitts will also be
available for competition hire at
competitive (no pun intended we
assume) rates.
“Whilst it is a daunting task to
follow in the footsteps of one of
the all-time great Pitts pilots, we
are excited to take on this new
venture and are delighted that
Alan is willing to stay involved
and share his experience with
us and our students,” says
Mike. “We are also delighted
to continue our partnership
with Total and Trig in this new
venture.” For more details visit:
ultimateaerobatics.co.uk Helicentre launches
Flight Instructor
seminars
Helicentre Aviation Academy
has launched a new two-day
EASA Helicopter Flight Instructor
refresher seminar, the first of
which will be held on 23-24 May.
“The Academy was granted
CAA approval to deliver FI(H)
refresher seminars in 2011, but
with the implementation of EASA
and a vast array of changes in
recent years, the seminar content
has been given a complete
overhaul,” explains Captain Sarah
Bowen, Helicentre’s Managing
Director and Head of Training.
“The upcoming seminars will
provide existing flight instructors
with a fresh approach to theUltimate Aerobatics' Mike & Emily Collett take over Freestyle AviationNews from the clubs, schools & ATOs