2024 PPL scholarships open for applications
The Honourable Company of Air Pilots (HCAP) has opened applications for a number of PPL Scholarships taking place next summer. Open to all-comers over the age of 17, the scholarships provide funding for a Private Pilot Licence training programme including up to 45 hours of flight training. Scholarships are open to candidates with little or no prior flying experience, individuals who are also part way through their PPL training but are...
Helicentre’s ‘flying’ operations start at London Oxford Airport
Helicentre is starting flying training from its new London Oxford Airport (LOA) base this month. Leicester Airport-headquartered Helicentre opened its satellite operation at LOA last year, commencing operations with a simulator hall housing an AW109 FNPT II MCC simulator. The CAA approved simulator is used to deliver procedural training towards the Multi Engine Instrument Rating (MEIR), as well as multi-engine type ratings and IR...
European Union petition for international levy on Jet A1 fuel
The European Union (EU) lobbying for an international tax on Jet A1 fuel in a move to finance climate action via levies on polluting industries. According to Wopke Hoekstra, EU’s climate commissioner, China, Zambia, Brazil and the Gulf nations are among those that have expressed interest in such a tax in talks leading up to the UN’s COP28 climate summit in Dubai. Unlike other fuels, Jet A1 (kerosene) is exempt from tax throughout the...
EC rebate scheme reminder
A Skywise notice from the UK Civil Aviation Authority reminds pilots that the Department for Transport Electronic Conspicuity (EC) Rebate Scheme is due to close on 31 March 2024. The scheme aims to improve airspace safety by encouraging the adoption of EC (see and avoid) devices that enhance situational awareness for pilots. Eligible applicants still have an opportunity to claim a 50% rebate on the purchase cost of an EC device, up to...
Tayside Aviation administration update after collapse
The administrators appointed to Tayside Aviation after its collapse in April have now published a progress report detailing their work on the recovery and sale of Tayside’s assets and the dispersal of funds to the company’s creditors. While indications are that secured creditors will get some if not all their money back, the news for unsecured creditors, which include those customers who had paid upfront for pilot training programmes,...
Industry’s most profitable booking service?
The UK CAA has released a consultation on its proposed Scheme of Charges for its 2024/2025 fiscal year, which if enacted as per current proposals will see the UK Instrument Rating (IR) flight test fee rise to its highest level ever, breaking the £1000 mark for the first time. The proposals, which are open to public consultation until 15 January 2024, start with a blanket price increase of 5.3% on all charges (except spaceflight...
