COVID-19 SAFETY PRECAUTIONS

Flight Training has been working hard to implement new procedures for a safe environment for our staff, students and PPL holders. Regardless of all this hard work, the measures we will be putting in place are only as good as the people who follow them. So we ask, to avoid being shut down again, PLEASE abide by the guidelines and keep us all flying!

The following is a summary of our new ways of working and we kindly ask that you read these all very carefully and make sure everything is understood.

The new way of operating is based on Guidance from the Department of Transport, The Civil Aviation Authority and Public Health England. If you have any concerns of your own, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

Mandatory Safety Measures

Showing Symptoms of Covid-19

If you are showing any symptoms of Covid-19 or have done so in the past 14 days, we ask that you be considerate to others and do not come to the school. Please let us know if this is the case.

Covid-19 High Risk Groups

If you feel you sit in a high-risk category we also ask that you do not come to the school. You can check if you fall into this group here.

Flying Declaration

Everyone flying with us will be sent a declaration prior to arriving at the school. This will be an acknowledgement that you have read these Mandatory Safety Procedures and will be abiding by them as well as answering a few questions regarding Covid-19 symptoms and general health. This will only be needed to be done prior to your first flight back and will be very simple to complete.

Face Masks

We would recommend you purchase a face mask if you can, but they will be readily available for purchase at cost price in the school if you cannot get hold of one. They will be mandatory in the flying school and in the planes, and we encourage you to wear them in the area out the front of the office if you can, when socialising or having a briefing. If you are less than 2metrres away from someone outside, it is mandatory to wear one.

Social Distancing

We would appreciate if everyone is courteous in keeping two metres apart at all times within the office and outdoors. During briefings, try to keep as much separation as possible and avoid sitting facing each other. Side-by-side is a better option in these circumstances.

Washing Hands

It is imperative that hands be washed thoroughly with sanitising soap, immediately after entering the school.

Zoono Hand Sanitiser

We are using Zoono Sanitising products which work differently to your normal sanitisers. Once an application has been applied to your hands, it will stay on your hands for 24 hours and kill any bacteria, viruses or fungus that you may touch.

NO Gloves

Sorry - no gloves in the office or planes. It has been shown to reduce hand-washing and spread infection more unless used properly. Please, instead, use the Zoono 24 hour Sanitiser.

Temperature Checks

After washing and sanitising your hands, we will check your temperature. If you have a higher temperature than normal you will not be allowed to take your lesson or proceed into the office.

One-way System

We will have a one-way system within the office. We know that very few people take notice of these guides, but if we just imagine that we are doing 26 Right-hand circuits around the main table in the main school area, maybe we will be the first in Britain to follow the one-way system.

Socialising within the School

Part of the magic within Flight Training London lies with our amazing Members sharing their experiences and knowledge with each other and we would be heart-broken if this couldn’t continue, so please, don’t be put-off coming to the school, but in between flights, the waiting area will be strictly outside the school and the two metre social distancing rule will still apply. We will have cover outside our building when weather does not exceed 25knot winds.

Headsets

When commencing training, you will unfortunately need to have your own headset. Please let us know if you did not receive our last email with some information on headsets that students can get discounts on, or if you need guidance on what to buy.

Instructors

Unfortunately, we will have to limit the number of instructors you fly with in order to limit excess interaction with multiple students. Speak to our staff if you need help in choosing an instructor that suits your schedule.

Card Payments

We are kindly asking everyone if they can set-up their Apple, Samsung, or Google Pay systems where possible so we can go contactless as much as we can.

Making Bookings

All bookings will be made remotely from the 4th July in order to limit interaction and to spend less time in the school. Bookings should instead be made via phone or preferably via our online booking system.

Sanitising of Communal Office Areas, Briefing Rooms and Toilets

All communal areas will be cleaned on an increased frequency but also sprayed with Zoono Sanitiser. The spray version of this product works in the same way as the sanitiser for hands, however it lasts up to 30 days. This includes the spraying of desks, chairs, door handles, computer keyboards, screens & mice, and payment devices etc...

Sanitising of Planes

Planes will be sprayed with Zoono Sanitiser as well. It has been approved by the likes of companies like Airbus and is perfectly safe in the aircraft. It is also environmentally friendly and food-safe.

PLEASE DO NOT USE SANITISING WIPES OR YOUR OWN SANITISING PRODUCTS IN THE PLANE AS THESE CAN MAKE PLASTIC BRITTLE AND SNAP AS WELL AS DAMAGE INSTRUMENTS.

No Sharing of Equipment

Please make sure you bring your own equipment to the school such as maps, rulers, pens and check-lists. There will be no sharing of this type of equipment and no borrowing from the school anymore.

No Kitchen Access

Unfortunately we will be closing access to the kitchen for the initial stages of reopening, so bring your own refreshments. All food must be consumed outside however.

No Extra Passengers

PPL Training Flights for students will be limited to the instructor and student only.

PPL Theory Exams

In order to avoid congestion in the school, we will have allocated times of day to hold PPL Theory Exams, and only one student will be allowed to sit exams at any one point to avoid over-crowding.

Self Hirers

To limit the number of people that share planes, we will be putting rules in place for Self Hire, including the no-borrowing of headsets from the school for your passengers and limiting your extra passengers INITIALLY to one single person. This rule will be relaxed in time, so please just bear with us in these initial stages. If your passenger is not from the same household, masks will be mandatory in the plane. You will be required to use our hand sanitiser, and get a temperature check prior to flying. Please be fully prepared for your flight prior to arriving at the airfield so you do not have to spend too much time in the office. There will be no planning in the building unless there are changes in circumstance due to last minute NOTAMS or Weather. We can assist if you have any queries or problems of course, but please make the effort to be prepared for your flights and follow the Mandatory Safety Procedures outlined in this document.

Currency Checkouts

Please be aware that ALL students & pilots will have to have currency checkouts regardless if you are in training or have a PPL. As part of our Safety Management System we have to be mindful that over three months away from flying is a long time for any pilot. Please do not be upset if your skills take more than one lesson to revive. And please do not pressure our instructors for a quick sign-off. We have to put safety first.

There will no doubt be changes and adjustments to the way we operate as the Covid-19 situation progresses, and hopefully the relaxing of some of the procedures implemented over time. We will endeavour to update you as things develop and change.

Thank you for reading, and thank you for helping us all to keep flying!

Please contact us for more information.