Three major licensing changes from the CAA’s simplification project are set to make life easier for GA pilots — we’ll break down what they mean and why they matter.

There’s also news that Diamond is restarting production of the DA20i in Austria, an RAF pilot has claimed the British Air Racing Championship title, and GASCO has launched a new performance calculator.

Join us for all that, plus the latest general aviation news, chat and more in this week’s FLYER Show.

Basingstoke and Deane District Council has decided that Popham Airfield isn’t a “significant” part of the UK’s general aviation network — a view that conveniently helps justify plans for up to 4,230 new houses. We speak to Brian Lloyd from Popham Airfield Matters to hear the latest and find out what pilots and supporters can do to help.

We also tiptoe through the LAA’s controversial AGM, where board candidate Colin Hales was expelled from the organisation (and the election) just days before the meeting. Both sides deny wrongdoing, and an appeal is now under way.

Plus: Garmin launches two new pilot watches, there’s a consultation on Scottish Airspace Modernisation, and Textron quietly folds its eAviation division into the rest of the business.

Join The Flyer Club here

More from PophamAirfieldMatters.org here

In this week’s Thursday aviation roundup, we bring you the latest news, SkyDemon tip, your weather update from Dr Simon Keeling, and an exclusive interview with Owain Johns, the new CEO of the British Microlight Aircraft Association (BMAA). We discuss key updates from the CAA on pilot licensing, a major aircraft order by Skyborne Airline Academy, and Canada’s plans for a new De Havilland airfield. We also take a closer look at the future of affordable aviation, from syndicate ownership and running costs to the rise of Rotax-powered microlights, SSDRs, and sub-70kg aircraft. Finally, we explore the benefits of joining a flying group, the social aspects of aviation, and the latest innovations in electric flight, including the Pulitzer Trophy air race and a foldable VTOL aircraft (yes, really). Whether you're a current pilot, aspiring flyer, aviation engineer or simply passionate about the skies, this episode is packed with practical insights and news shaping the future of general aviation in the UK and beyond.

Join The Flyer Club

In this week’s episode of The FLYER Show, we cover major developments in the aviation world, including the confirmed closure of Cambridge Airport by 2028 and the ambitious revival of the Thurston Seafire amphibious aircraft.

We explore the CAA’s new General Aviation strategy, offer a practical SkyDemon cockpit tip, and provide a detailed weekend weather outlook for UK pilots.

The team also dives into what makes a truly great pilot — from calm decision-making under pressure to confident aircraft handling.

Other highlights include a look at the Piper PA-48 Enforcer, ferry pilot Guido Warnecke’s King Air 360 transatlantic journey, and a tribute to legendary test pilot Fitz Fulton.

Whether you're a student pilot, engineer, or simply passionate about general aviation, flying and aviation technology, this episode offers a comprehensive mix of aviation news, insights, and practical tips. Subscribe and consider joining the FLYER Club for exclusive content, webinars, and free landing vouchers.

Join the Flyer Club

Pilot Careers Live Dublin

Guido Warnecke YouTube Channel

This week on The Flyer Show, we bring you the latest in UK aviation news and insights for pilots and enthusiasts. We cover the Met Office’s new MAVIS platform, Cirrus’s launch of an instrument rating training programme, and job opportunities in light aircraft engineering via the BMAA. You’ll also get a top SkyDemon tip from Tim and Simon Keeling’s weekend flying weather forecast. We explore valuable next steps after gaining your PPL, such as tailwheel conversions and upset recovery training. Real-world flying lessons covering spin training, stall recovery, and staying safe in the circuit, before moving on to the challenge and discipline of formation flying. In what caught our eye this week we spotlight the Historic Army Aviation Flight at Middle Wallop, take a closer look at the simple but capable Top Rudder Ruckus bush plane, and revisit the record-setting 1946 Turtle endurance flight. It’s a must-watch for anyone passionate about staying informed, improving their flying, or exploring aviation’s past and future.

#aviationnews #pilots #aviationhistory #generalaviation #aircraft

This week’s Flyer Show podcast covers GA news, aircraft buying tips, and a spectacular P-51 and SR-71 photo shoot.
• There's a new aviation minister, 27-year-old Keir Mather, hear why the Department for Transport seems to be drifting away from General Aviation, and we also at the call for GA Ambassadors and what that could mean.
• A heads-up on upcoming PPL changes and news of Jason Ivey’s departure from Gloucester.
• Our hard-earned tips for buying an aircraft — what to look for, and what to avoid.
• The de Havilland Vampire turns 82.
• Dave takes a wry look at Vertical Aerospace’s plans to build a factory at Kemble and produce 900 aircraft a year (yes, we’re sceptical).
• Ed brings us the story of a spectacular photo shoot featuring a P-51 Mustang, alongside the world’s fastest jet, the SR-71 Blackbird.

Join us for news, insight, and hangar-chat humour.

Enjoying The Flyer Show? Join the FLYER Club for early access to Simon Keeling’s weather briefings, four free landings every month, full site access, webinars and the members-only Skivestream. Just £6/month or £62/year at flyer.co.uk/membership

Fancy that (volunteer) Aviation Ambassador job? https://shorturl.at/X7TYQ
Want to email us a video? editorial@seager.aero via (https://wetransfer.com/)

#FlyerShow #GeneralAviation #PilotLife #AviationNews #PPL #AircraftBuying #VampireJet #P51Mustang #SR71 #VerticalAerospace

From Bristell’s FAA certification success to the future of electric hybrids in Switzerland, we’ve got a packed episode of GA news, features and fun.

Here’s what’s inside:
• ✅ Bristell B23 certified in the US — what it means for flight schools and UK microlight pilots
• ✅ C42 microlight saved — spares and new production secured
• ✅ H55 & Smartflyer partnership — pioneering electric-hybrid project explained
• ✅ Roswell Air Races return — highlights and winners from the new home of the championships
• ✅ Swansea Airport marchers forward — GA community power in action
• ✅ Colin Chapman’s Cessna 414 — Formula One meets general aviation, plus a near-forgotten Lotus microlight project
• ✅ Online Auction for the Rob Wildeboer Scholarship — including our plan to create the world’s most expensive kneeboard. Link in description
• ✅ Our pick of three great value light aircraft
• ✅ Plus: SkyDemon's top tip, Simon Keeling’s weekend weather forecast, and this week’s aviation events

📌 Links mentioned in the show:
• Rob Wildeboer Scholarship Auction
• FLYER Forum discussion
• FLYER Club membership

🎥 Don’t miss a thing — whether you’re a GA pilot, student pilot, or just love aviation, The FLYER Show is your weekly fix.

👉 Subscribe for weekly aviation news, features and expert analysis
👉 Join the FLYER Club for free landing fees, webinars, discounts and more

The team try to figure out if homebuilding still has a future using data on UK kit and plans-built projects. We cover Swift Fuels’ 100-octane unleaded avgas achieving an ASTM production spec, the Eurostar/EV-97 aileron rod-end issue, the UK aviation minister reshuffle, and the first customer delivery of the Jetson ONE eVTOL to Palmer Luckey under US Part 103. Plus: what’s changing at FLYER, classic aircraft restoration as a path for builders, Sir Francis Chichester’s Gipsy Moth feats, a look back at the Swearingen SX-300, and this month’s free landing fees, webinars and fly-ins.

If you enjoy the show, please like, subscribe and share. Join FLYER Club for full access, free landing fees every month, webinars and member events: to join, just go to flyer.co.uk/membership.

Questions? Drop them in the comments and we’ll reply.

#TheFLYERShow #GeneralAviation #HomebuiltAircraft #100UL #SwiftFuels #Eurostar #CAA #JetsonONE #PilotTraining #AviationNews #LAA #GipsyMoth #FrancisChichester #SX300

Useful links
Swift Fuels 100UL
Jetson ONE info
That CAA letter to the Prime Minister
Boeing Pilot & Technician Outlook
CAE report
FLYER membership info & what’s changing
SkyDemon