Flyer Magazine

Flyer's editorial team

News, views and chat from the world of General Aviation

  1. hace 18 h

    Don’t let that LAPL expire - The FLYER Show - 3rd September 2026

    The Light Aircraft Pilot’s Licence (LAPL) has been a popular choice for many pilots but as the CAA has sought to streamline licensing (for all the right reasons), so the LAPL has been replaced by the National Private Pilot’s Licence (NPPL). Existing holders carry on though but with one big change to renewal. In this week’s FLYER Show we outline the changes which come into effect at the end of September. PLUS In the News: The FLYER Fly-in at Steventon. Brilliant event, brilliant location, just brilliant. Shuttleworth’s damaged dh.88 Comet air racer will be rebuilt! Redhill Aerodrome faces a really serious threat Solent Airport gets a new manager Compton Abbas Airfield makes a runner Deadline coming up fast for the Professional Flight Training Awards FLYER Club price increase on the way - subscribe now to lock in the current price Return of Fantasy Hangar! Yes, by public demand, FLYER’s Fantasy Hangar is back and this week’s subject is choosing an aircraft to fly all four of September’s free landings: Barton, Cromer, Old Warden and Strathaven. Ian chose the Miles Falcon Major, an air racer from 1934, ignoring the fact that only three remain airworthy worldwide Dave, for once, is the Sensible One, choosing the latest Bristell B8M, a 160hp high-wing rocketship, ignoring Ed’s jibes about ‘M’ standing for ‘Mobility’ Ed, as usual, came up with an aircraft none of us had ever heard of before, the Waco SRE. Yes, it’s a Waco biplane but not as we know it Jim. JIm? Who’s Jim? PLUS PLUS! Yes, there’s more. This week’s SkyDemon tip: the Yellow Arrow. Simon Keeling’s weekend weather forecast. And events coming up, including the LAA Rally. LINKS Entries for the Professional Flight Training Awards: https://www.pilotcareerslive.com/awards/ FLYER free landings for September 2026: https://flyer.co.uk/flyer-free-landings-for-september-2026/ Join the FLYER Club: https://flyer.co.uk/membership/ #generalaviation #ukaviation #pilots #licences #aircraft #airfield

  2. 30 jul

    Tecnam takes aim at Cirrus and Diamond - The FLYER Show - 30th July 2026

    We had so much material from this year’s EAA AirVenture Oshkosh (OK, ‘Oshkosh’ for short) that we decided to cover the left-out bits in the show. There’s some really good stuff here, honest: - ICON A5 + Safety Sense - Tecnam Rivale - Vashon Ranger Grand Teton - Jabiru Twin  - Cirrus TRAC10  - Pipistrel Voyager (and what about the Panthera?)  - Van’s RV12is - Zenair CH750 Super Cruzer - Lycoming engine TBO raised - Continental’s engine STC swap for Piper Archer NEWS Two ace GA people remembered: Geoff Weighell, microlighting champion and former BMAA boss, and David Roberts of Europe Airsports who quietly got on with promoting GA at government levels. Horten Flying Wing project for sale. Perfect for someone with a large fortune looking to downsize. CAA webinar coming up on the subject of mandatory Electronic Conspicuity. FLYER Fly-in on 11 August at Aces High, Steventon (PPR and Briefing essential). Four new free landings for August. What Caught My Eye  Dave: Shuttleworth’s simple gorgeous Blackburn B.2 at Breighton. Ian: Over 153,000 commercial flights in one day - that's almost two takeoffs & landings per second. No accidents - amazing! Ed: Pedal Venture sets a record! Plus, SkyDemonTip, Weekend Weather Forecast and Events coming up. Links Join the Flyer Club - https://flyer.co.uk/membership/  Best of Oshkosh video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NyhV3JR-qy4 Oshkosh Preview Video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iZ6V_vBs7NQ #oshkosh #generalaviation #aviationnews #aviationtech #airshows

  3. 16 jul

    What’s new at Oshkosh 2026? - The FLYER Show - 16th July 2026

    EAA Airventure Oshkosh starts next week and there’s lots to see. The FLYER works through the highlights that we know about: aircraft launches, product updates, new propulsion units - combustion and electric - visiting aircraft and much more!  Plus there’s ton of news: Mandatory electronic conspicuity is coming: CAA launches a consultation. This one’s important! Sleapkosh was a huge success last weekend, with great weather, lots of aircraft, music, parties, food and much more. Kirkbridge Airfield is for sale: fancy it? Flying to Iceland in a flex-wing microlight: Trev Lee and Dave Bromley made it and we catch up with them in a video call Sad news: Metal Seagulls is to close. The Pembrokeshire-based engineering workshop (and Zenair agent) calls it a day. Blackbushe Airport is on the up! Lightspeed launches a new version of its DeltaZulu headset with an anti-noise profile specific to a Rotax engine. FLYER’s Ian Seager wins an award! A proper one! In What Caught My Eye Ian spots an aeroplane with a Bluebird connection. Dave raves about the line-up for this year’s Roswell Air Races. Ed meets a rare British 1930s survivor: the Foster Wikner Wicko Plus: SkyDemon tip Weekend weather forecast Club news Events coming up Links Donate to Trev and Dave’s fundraising microlight mission here: https://www.justgiving.com/page/iceland-flying-expo-2026 Mandatory EC consultation https://consultations.caa.co.uk/safety-and-airspace-regulation-group/ec-mandate/ Kirkbirde Airfiled Sale - https://www.hopesauction.co.uk/propertyhopes/kirkbride-airfield-kirkbride/ Join The Flyer Club https://www.flyer.co.uk/membership #oshkosh #generalaviation #aviationnews #aviationtech #airshows

  4. 18 jun

    80 fabulous years of the deHavilland Chipmunk - The FLYER Show - 18th June 2026

    “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

  5. 11 jun

    GA and Drones plus dumb CAA advice - The FLYER Show - 11th June 2026

    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

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News, views and chat from the world of General Aviation