NOTAM Nonsense, Solar Farms & STOL Newcomers

This week from the FLYER studio: GA news from Plaistows’ solar farm to partial power failures in PPL training, the CAA’s muddled NOTAM advice, and Electra’s blown-lift L9. We cover Loganair’s pilot return scheme, the elegant Bird Symmetry, and Direct Fly’s new STOL Cruiser. Plus your weekend weather and a SkyDemon tip — your essential UK GA update.

In this packed episode of the Flyer Livestream—recorded using our brand-new studio setup—we bring you the latest general aviation news, flight planning tips, and essential updates for pilots and aviation enthusiasts alike. We break down how to safely fly into the popular LAA Rally with detailed arrival procedures and SkyDemon tips, plus we reveal the latest UK GA accident stats showing improved safety—but reduced flying hours. We also cover the controversial CAA Class 2 medical assessment changes that are forcing some pilots out of the cockpit, the big shake-up as the National Championship Air Races move from Reno to Roswell, and the appointment of a new operator at Solent Airport. In international news, we discuss the arrest and release of a young pilot who landed in Antarctica without permission. Plus, explore rare Goodyear amphibious aircraft, WWII-era flying tank concepts, expert vertical planning advice using SkyDemon, and Simon Keeling’s aviation weather forecast. Whether you’re a private pilot, student pilot, LAA member, aviation engineer, or simply passionate about flying and aviation history, this episode is full of insights, stories, and key information—including a preview of this weekend’s aviation events and fly-ins. Don’t miss it!

You can see photos and video from this episode here https://flyer.co.uk/feature/flyer-podcast-ho…to-the-laa-rally/ 

In this week's Flyer Show, we bring you the latest aviation news and insights from the UK and beyond. We discuss current developments at Gloucestershire Airport, celebrate 50 years of the Robinson R22 helicopter, and look at recent innovations in microlights and kitplanes after last week's LAA Rally. 

You'll also find practical advice on lower cost flying, a detailed weekend weather briefing and of course your weekly SkyDemon tip. 

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We need YOUR help!

We'd love to feature you at the start of the show. All you need to do is to record a (very) short clip saying "Welcome to The Flyer Show" - Just grab the footage on your mobile phone, ideally in 4K, but HD will be fine too. It has to be in Landscape though. Please send to editorial@seager.aero - we suggest uploading via wetransfer.com a free service. 
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To join the brilliant Flyer Club flyer.co.uk/membership
Subsonex https://www.sonexaircraft.com/subsonex/
BBC story about Gloucester https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cz71x91qw9no
Forum discussion on Gloucester https://forums.flyer.co.uk/viewtopic.php?t=134303&view=unread#unready 
That group at Popham https://afors.com/aircraftView/62976/Share-in-a-3-aircraft-group
The Jodel D9 https://afors.com/aircraftView/50664/Jodel-D9-Bebe-For-Sale

#AviationNews #GeneralAviation #PilotLife #FlyingTips #SkyDemon #savingmoney  #airfield #lowcostflying

This week we ask whether flying is becoming less sociable and what truly makes an airfield a great pilot destination, we take a look at Mike Patey's dramatic engine failure, bring you news of another base for the amazing Aerobility and highlight some upcoming UK flying events

 Whether you're a pilot, engineer, student, or aviation enthusiast, this episode delivers flying news, expert insights, and helpful tips including a SkyDemon briefing trick and your weekend weather outlook. Subscribe for weekly aviation discussions, news, and training content.

If your're after some weird and wonderful, the team also discuss Anequim's speed records, an airworthy WWI bombers that's for sale (about £1,600,000 if you're wondering) and a twin canard pusher, designed by Al Mooney, that didn't quite make it.

To join the The (brilliant) Flyer Club go to flyer.co.uk/membership

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 

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

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

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

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 

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 

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 

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.