UK GA briefing: airspace, CAA charges, AAIB alert
26 April 2026
This week’s OnFinal briefing catches UK GA right in the middle of the spring flying season. The big themes are airspace discipline, consultation watch and a run of safety and maintenance updates that are well worth a quiet read with a cup of tea. AOPA is set to administer the former GASCo Airspace Infringement Awareness Course, the CAA has opened its 2026/27 statutory charges consultation, and there is fresh engagement on progressive aerodrome airspace design. On the safety side, the AAIB has flagged a serious AW139 tail rotor bearing issue, while the LAA has published new maintenance and inspector notices. There is also a useful spread of club and vintage events coming up in May, which should give many of us something to point the nose towards once the diary is sorted.
Transition to UK Airspace Coordination Service. The CAA has updated its UK Airspace Coordination Service page to set out the next steps as clusters move onto the new UKACS framework. In short, all UKACS-coordinated clusters now work to CAP 3220 and CAP 3219, with NERL’s former Airspace Change Organising Group replaced by UKACS and the old requirement for a UK airspace change masterplan withdrawn from May 2026. The page also notes that NERL and airport sponsors will continue to monitor strategically important airspace changes, complete cumulative assessments, and carry out the overall Safety Strategy Outputs Assessment. For club and GA readers, the practical takeaway is that the process has been simplified: there is no longer a need for masterplan PEX rounds, masterplan iterations, or a strategic environmental assessment or habitats regulations assessment for a masterplan, although individual airspace changes still need HRAs. The page also records the current transition arrangements and says no further masterplan iterations will be produced, with changes to clusters published on the CAA website.
Before the next local sortie, check NOTAMs, airspace boundaries and current briefing material, then brief your passenger or fellow pilot on what to do if the flight starts to drift toward controlled airspace. A calm, early correction is far easier than a late apology.
The UK’s first official licensed aerodrome was Heston, which opened in 1929 and quickly became a focal point for civil flying near London.
In the circuit
AOPA to administer the former GASCo Airspace Infringement Awareness Course (AIAC)
GASCo’s decision to cease trading has left AOPA stepping in to administer the Airspace Infringement Awareness Course, with the same personnel continuing the work to avoid disruption. AOPA says the CAA approved the transfer in early April 2026, and that the arrangement is intended to keep the established infringement process stable and familiar for GA pilots. The note is careful to stress that AOPA does not decide who must attend the course, and that that judgement remains solely with the CAA after its investigation. It also underlines AOPA’s view that this sits within the CAA’s just culture approach, aiming to support learning and safety rather than punishment.
MTD-03-2026 published on NSI CAP 140 propeller cracking
The LAA has issued Mandatory Technical Directive MTD-03-2026, titled ‘NSI CAP 140 Propeller Cracking’, for aircraft fitted with NSI propellers. The notice says a potentially serious crack was reported in the propeller blade retaining cuff of an NSI CAP 140 propeller on a Europa with a Rotax 912-UL, prompting the withdrawal of approval for Version 1 and 2 cuffs and an operating life limit for Version 3. For owners, the key point is the required inspection: all affected LAA aircraft must be checked within 5 flight hours or 30 days of the directive’s effective date, whichever comes first, with a white-page logbook entry recording compliance and findings. The page also notes that this MTD replaces LAA MOD/247/005 and that a new Type Acceptance Data Sheet has been written for the propeller type.
New LAA Factory-Built Gyroplane Inspector - Kevin Whitehead
The Light Aircraft Association says Kevin Whitehead has joined as a new inspector after attending an Inspector Assessment Day at Turweston. He is based in Scotland and will serve as an LAA Factory-Built Gyroplane Inspector, adding support for members and aircraft owners in the region. According to the post, his duties will include maintenance and repairs, permit renewal inspections, and making recommendations to help keep LAA aircraft safe and airworthy. The association says it is pleased to have him on board and looks forward to his contribution to the LAA community.
New LAA Inspector - Robin Smith
The Light Aircraft Association has introduced Robin Smith as a new inspector. The piece gives a club-style introduction to his background in aviation, from Army Air Corps engineering work and helicopter experience through to fixed-wing types and active flying instruction. It also notes his current work at Fowlmere and Old Buckenham, alongside his Safety Manager role at Fowlmere and EASA approval. For readers, the key takeaway is that the LAA is adding another well-rounded hands-on engineer and instructor to its inspectorate. The article closes by pointing to his consultancy work, which covers instruction, revalidations, pre-buy surveys, and aircraft transport and import/export support.
AAIB Bulletin 6/2026: AW139 tail rotor bearing failure flagged as a serious risk
This bulletin’s headline GA-relevant item is a serious incident involving a Leonardo AW139, G-CIMU, where a tail rotor duplex bearing failure was discovered during a post-flight maintenance check at Norwich Airport. AAIB says the damage was severe enough that continued operation would likely have led to loss of tail rotor control, and it has issued three Safety Recommendations in response. The report also notes the similarity of the bearing design to those used on the AW169 and AW189 families, making this one worth a careful read for rotary-wing operators and engineers alike. For club-room briefing purposes, the rest of this bulletin is notably light on general aviation fixed-wing material: the contents list shows no GA fixed-wing reports in this issue, with the rotorcraft investigation carrying the main airworthiness lesson. If you fly or maintain helicopters, the detail around the tail rotor control system, the bearing arrangement, and the difficulty of identifying the failure cause should be of particular interest.
On the calendar
14 May 2026
Warbird Weekend, Compton Abbas
14-17 May 2026 at Compton Abbas Airfield near Salisbury, FLYER says Compton Abbas is welcoming back Aero Legends’ warbird fleet for a weekend of experience flights and close-up viewing of wartime icons like the Spitfire, Harvard and Tiger Moth. It’s aimed at pilots, enthusiasts and anyone wanting the chance to fly in, or get up close to, these classic aircraft — with the useful caveat that it is not an airshow or flying display, and places may be available on the day if weather allows.
15 May 2026
Air-Britain Fly-in, Wycombe Park
Set for 2026-05-15 to 2026-05-16 at Wycombe Air Park (EGTB), Booker, Marlow, this is Air-Britain’s 46th annual fly-in and part of the Private Flyer Fest. The event is aimed at pilots and enthusiasts in a relaxed aviation setting, with all types of aircraft welcome, PPR required, and a special nod to the 70th anniversary of the Piper PA24 Comanche, making it especially appealing for UK GA visitors with vintage and type-interest flying in mind.
23 May 2026
Historic Aircraft Engine Run event, Gatwick Air Museum
On 2026-05-23, Gatwick Aviation Museum at Lowfield Heath Road, Charlwood, Gatwick is hosting a Historic Aircraft Engine Run event. The museum says it will be running the engines of both its Lightning and Shackleton aircraft, with entertainment from singing trio Angel Delights and the option to book a tank ride. It’s a lively pick for UK GA enthusiasts who want a close-up taste of classic aircraft power on the ground, rather than just watching them from the fence.
9 May 2026
Vintage Piper Aircraft Club (VPAC) Fly-in, Goodwood
On 2026-05-09, the Vintage Piper Aircraft Club hosts a fly-in at Goodwood Aerodrome, Chichester, UK. FLYER says it’s a members-only gathering with classic Piper aircraft and other US heritage types on show, with PPR required and landing fees applying — a neat chance for UK GA pilots and enthusiasts to see and enjoy these machines up close.
23 May 2026
Spamfield, Sandown
23–25 May 2026, at Isle of Wight/Sandown Airport EGHN, Spamfield is a fly-in on FLYER’s events page that was originally for microlights only but is now open to all aircraft. PPR is required, and the event’s appeal for UK GA pilots is clear: a Sandown fly-in with broad aircraft access, making it a handy Isle of Wight gathering for anyone looking to join the action.