The General Aviation podcast brings you the latest guidance from the UK Civil Aviation Authority with information for all types of General Aviation (GA) operating in the UK. Including updates and discussions on our current projects and areas of work. You’ll hear interviews with representatives from our GA teams, experts on their particular fields, sharing details of their work and regulatory updates as well as highlighting opportunities for members of the UK GA community to get involved.
Episodes
Stalls, spins and aerobatics awareness
14 Jul 2026 · 10 min
This episode looks at stall and spin awareness in General Aviation; how stall and spin risks affect all pilots, not just aerobatic flying, and why loss of control remains a major safety issue. The discussion emphasises that early avoidance is critical, while well-practised, decisive recovery and…
Preparing for air display season
21 May 2026 · 22 min
In this episode, we hear from organisers, pilots, regulators and industry experts from across the air display community. Recorded at the CAA’s Air Display Symposium earlier this year, we speak to the people who make air displays happen, exploring the challenges, innovations and priorities, shaping…
Fuel sampling and trim runaways
23 Apr 2026 · 13 min
This episode highlights two key safety topics for GA pilots: trim runaways and fuel contamination. We explore how to recognise the early signs of a trim runaway, the immediate actions pilots should take, and why staying ahead of the problem is critical. We then cover the fundamentals of correct…
Post consultation licensing simplification project update
24 Oct 2024 · 18 min
In March 2024, we launched a 10 week consultation on phase two of the general aviation pilot licensing and training simplification project. In September we released the consultation response documents covering aeroplanes, balloons, gyroplanes, helicopters and sailplanes. In this episode we’re…
Spring back to flying
26 Apr 2024 · 25 min
Spring is now upon us and it’s time to start thinking about returning to flying! If you’ve had the winter off, we’re here to guide you through the important things to consider before getting back into your aircraft. For this episode we’re joined by James Shipp and Tom Gravett from the CAA General…
Winter flying
14 Dec 2023 · 19 min
As the temperatures drop in the winter months, there are a number of challenges that come with flying in cold and unpredictable conditions. For this episode, we’re joined by Joe Hadley and Richard Crockett from the CAA General Aviation Unit to cover the intricacies of winter flying. If you have…
Summer flying season update
31 Aug 2023 · 40 min
In this episode, we talk with the CAA’s policy lead on our project on cost sharing, we hear an update from Ed Bellamy on the Safety Sense Leaflet project and our latest published documents including Piston Engine Icing. We also talk with Justin Willcocks on good flight planning preparation along…
Active carbon monoxide detectors
11 Aug 2023 · 21 min
We chat about the latest on our active carbon monoxide detector project. In particular our latest survey which we launched at AeroExpo in June. We also hear from members of the GA community on their thoughts on what sort of carbon monoxide detector they fly with and why. If you have any feedback…
A BMX park in the sky
27 Jul 2023 · 27 min
We speak with Dave Boxall, Chief Airworthiness Engineer at Cameron Balloons on their recent adventure with Red Bull on the Don’t Look Down project. You'll hear how this project came to be and the amazing adventure these organisations went on to get the balloon into the air. Kriss Kyle, Scottish…
How Local Airspace Infringement Teams work
12 Jul 2023 · 13 min
One of our infringement specialists talks to Chris Sellen, a member of the Wessex Local Airspace Infringement Team (LAIT) based at Popham, about the team’s work to help reduce infringements in the local area. If you are planning on flying in the Solent area guidance and information from the Wessex…
Project update on private pilot licensing and training in the UK
16 Jun 2023 · 17 min
The UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) launched a once in a generation consultation on proposals to simplify General Aviation (GA) pilot licensing and training. In this episode we speak with Laurence Baxter from our General Aviation Unit to provide an update on the findings of that initial…
Talking Radio Telephony
22 May 2023 · 31 min
We speak with David Woodward and Anthony Hatch, whose work with Local Airspace Infringement Teams, along with their pilot, FISO, ATCO, flight instructor and RT examiner experience, led them to want to start a conversation about Radio Telephony (RT). More RT related information, including a Safety…
Return to flying
29 Mar 2023 · 23 min
Spring is here and many pilots are returning to GA flying after the winter months. We speak with Lucy Wootton, Chief Inspector at the Light Aircraft Association who explains how to prepare for getting back into the air. We also talk to Jo Aston, the CAA’s Met Technical Officer who shares her…
The role of the GA licensing working group
24 Nov 2022 · 15 min
The UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has launched a once in a generation consultation on proposals to simplify General Aviation (GA) pilot licensing and training. In this episode we speak with Maeghan Sheehan, a newly qualified GA Pilot and a member of the working group for this project, on her…
Answering your questions on the GA licensing consultation
9 Nov 2022 · 16 min
The UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has launched a once in a generation consultation on proposals to simplify General Aviation (GA) pilot licensing and training. In this episode we invite Laurence Baxter from our General Aviation Unit back in to discuss in more detail the role of the working…
Help simplify private pilot licensing and training in the UK
21 Oct 2022 · 16 min
The UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has launched a once in a generation consultation on proposals to simplify General Aviation (GA) pilot licensing and training. In this episode we speak with Laurence Baxter from our General Aviation Unit to learn more about this work. If you are involved in GA…
The Women's World Gliding Championships 2022
16 Aug 2022 · 22 min
The CAA spent a day at the Women's World Gliding Championships 2022. We spoke with Liz Sparrow, Director of the Championships and Pete Stratten, CEO of the British Gliding Association learning about how the event came to be in the UK and learning more about the scrutineer process behind…
Safety sense leaflets – Commonwealth games airspace
9 Aug 2022 · 20 min
This episode includes updates on our project to update our suite of Safety Sense Leaflets and the work that has gone into the temporary airspace restrictions for the Commonwealth Games. Flying in Cloud A recent AAIB investigation has highlighted the importance of being properly qualified to fly in…
Our review of airspace in the Cotswold region
14 Jul 2022 · 20 min
We have now published our final report on our review of airspace in the Cotswold region. Join Nikki Deeley and Emma Simpson from the Airspace Classification team to learn more about which volumes of airspace the process will seek to amend, as well what other activities can be used to improve UK…
Airworthiness – Carbon monoxide – STEM
16 May 2022 · 29 min
This episode includes updates on recent work across three areas; Airworthiness, a Carbon monoxide project and STEM. Airworthiness We published our latest Virtual Voyage session in April with a special focus on Airworthiness. This is available to view on the Virtual voyage | Civil Aviation…