It ain’t half hot, Mum! With weather like this week’s, what we need is a nice, simple aircraft for a cool bimble in the evening air. The team chose three aircraft that are perfect for an enjoyable, stress-free flight but the kicker is: they have to be on sale now, either from the classified ads or from a broker or dealer! Do you agree with their choices? What would you choose?

PLUS

In the news
Follow up on the cardiovascular rule changes: we ask 5 questions of the CAA
Thruxton, Popham and Solent are three of Hampshire’s airfields. Coming up is an event linking all three
Sywell Aerodrome is closed to visiting aircraft during the week
EGNOS, no, not Gran’s favourite Christmas tipple, but Europe’s satellite system for improving GPS accuracy and usefulness, is back on the Govt’s agenda
The Raduno is happening this week with a fantastic itinerary!

Club News
Four new free landing fees for FLYER Club members coming up in July

In What Caught My Eye
Annabel is stunned by a Solstive Eveing Flight on video
Dave spots the Short Take-Off and Landing competition at Breighton
Ed embraces his inner Elon Musk celebrating the 35th anniversary of the movie The Rocketeer

There’s more: SkyDemon tip of the week (user waypoints), Simon’s weekend weather forecast, Events coming up.

#GeneralAviation #aviationnews #pilots #airfield #summerflying #aircraft

“Why do people get all misty-eyed about an old oily piston single with only two seats?” But this isn’t any old piston single, this is the de Havilland Chipmunk! Yes, on this week’s show we talk to Ben Griffiths, journalist, pilot and author of a book celebrating 80 years since the Chippie’s first flight. All sorts of fascinating facts and awesome stories are revealed… the Chipmunk Cold War Spy Plane, for one!

News
There’s news about the reopening of Old Sarum Airfield to visiting aircraft, the record number of gyrocopters turning up at Old Warden Airfield, and tickets on sale for the Aviator’s Ball.

In What Caught My Eye:

Annabel is thrilled by the appearance of a North American Rockwell OV-10 Bronco at the RAF Cosford Air Show - and it will be sticking around for some more air shows this summer.

Dave spots the first signs of this year’s EAA AirVenture Oshkosh with the start of SimVenture, a virtual fly-in based on Oshkosh. Fly at the iconic Fisk Approach and hear the unusual instructions from the Oshkosh air traffic controllers.

Ed remembers the unusual McDonnell 220, a four-engine business jet that sadly failed to find a market leaving the one and only 220 ever built languishing at El Paso Airport. Now there’s a campaign to save the survivor.

Plus:
SkyDemon tip of the week
Simon Keeling’s weekend weather forecast
FLYER Club latest
Events for the busiest weekend of the year

Links:
Aviator’s Ball tickets https://www.aerobility.com/aviators-ball-2026
SimVenture https://pilotedge.net/pages/simventure
Pre-order Chipmunk at 80 book https://chipmunkat80.carrd.co/

#GeneralAviation #aviationnews #pilots #airfield #aviationhistory #chipmunk

We call it YADS (Yet Another Drone Story), but last week the CAA launched YAC (Yet Another Consultation), publishing three hefty documents capable of curing insomnia even after five double espressos. Despite the eye-wateringly dull and confusing content they offer a fascinating glimpse into how the regulator sees the future of UK Beyond Visual Line of Sight drone ops. We took one for the team and read them so you don’t have to. Watch the segment to find out why we think Electronic Conspicuity is set to play an increasingly significant role in everyday flying.

In the News:

Continental Aerospace Technologies, which was acquired by AVIC, the Chinese state-owned aerospace giant in 2011, is back in US ownership following its purchase by Arcline Investment Management. Meanwhile, Cirrus Aircraft, also owned by AVIC, has been designated a Chinese Military Company by the US Department of Defense (we know).

Closer to home, the UK CAA issued infringement avoidance advice for Coventry just days before the airspace was withdrawn, then followed it up with some positively dangerous guidance for pilots using the North West Transit Corridor.

In What Caught My Eye:

Ian spotted a classic Cessna 185 in a starring role in The Dog Stars, a major film due for release later this year and Ed’s attention was captured by a beautifully restored DC-3 that managed to escape Coventry before the closure.

Join the FLYER Club today: flyer.co.uk/membership
London Flying Club Event: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/lfc-evening-with-ian-seager-tickets-1987319557293?aff=oddtdtcreator

#GeneralAviation #aviationnews #pilots #airfield #aviationhistory #DC3 #Cessna185