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 editorial@seager.aero

#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