In most cases it will not be possible to keep a distance of 2 metres apart inside a training aircraft. Measures to manage the risk of transmission will depend on the type and size of the aircraft.
“Where social distancing guidelines cannot be followed in full, training schools and instructors should take the most appropriate actions to reduce the risk of transmission”
We are ensuring that all areas to be accessed by flying instructors, students and support staff are deep cleaned to a suitable standard. This includes regular cleaning for:
- surfaces on board the aircraft
- all other areas accessed by students, instructors and support staff.
- all frequently touched surfaces, for example, door handles, banister rails, buttons and toilet areas
Actions we are taking include:
- more frequent hand washing and surface cleaning
- wearing a face covering, where it is safe to do so
- disinfection of the aircraft (i.e. frequent touch points including headsets) and outside facilities to a standard which follows government g
- keeping the activity time involved as short as practical
- using side-to-side working (rather than face-to-face) whenever possible
- provision and use of hand sanitiser
- allocating an instructor and a machine and a separate briefing room to each person for the day and for a full clean and sanitising of the room and helicopter after the student has finished
- not allowing anyone other than the student and the instructor to be in either the aircraft or the training/briefing room that has been allocated.
The government has published guidance on working safely and how this can be applied in the workplace which we are carefully monitoring for updates.