What is the cost in 2026 for Private Pilot’s Licence? - The FLYER Show - 2nd April 2026

There are more than 1,100 airspace infringement each year in the UK which sounds a lot. But many are in the same places known officially as Airspace Hotspots, or as we prefer, Traps. What are these Traps? Why do they catch pilots out? What can be done to solve the issue? Is it the fault of the pilots, complex airspace or something else? That’s this week’s main topic. News Dodge the drones: mandatory EC by 2028 Skyfly gets $10m to swing its Axe Has Gloucestershire Airport been SuperDried? Sea...

Is the UK the best place in the world to learn to fly? This week, we compare the sub-ICAO pilot licences across the UK, USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Europe, looking at flight training hours, medical requirements, aircraft privileges, passenger limits, night flying and instrument flying. We also discuss the challenges UK pilots face when flying abroad and whether greater international recognition of the UK NPPL could open up more opportunities. In the news, we cover the lates...

What do you choose? A new car or an aeroplane? Yes, after last week’s show where we talked about expensive new high-performance microlights, we go to the other end of the price spectrum. You can buy a whole aeroplane, airworthy and flying, for less than £30,000. We identify a range of possible aircraft available now in the small ads - there’s something for everyone. And on a similar subject, TV chef Jamie Oliver achieved his PPL at Andrewsfield over the summer - now he’s helped save the airf...

Thanks to the latest Rotax 916iS engine with its 160hp max power, there’s a flock of superfast microlights becoming available - and the latest, the JMB VL3, has just been approved for the UK. As well as the power (cue: MORE POWER!), this new breed of 600kg microlights are also well-equipped, look sensational and, well, expensive. In the News: Owner of Wolverhampton Halfpenny Green killed First UK JMB VL3 delivered STOL UK Competition at Popham Fairford RAT Game Aerospace flies GB2 firebomber...

Does general aviation have an organised crime problem? A report from the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) looks at the use of general aviation for smuggling drugs, weapons and people, and makes recommendations for tackling it. We discuss the report, the problems it identifies, and what some of its proposals could mean for GA pilots — including mandatory electronic conspicuity. Plus: News Popham remains under threat of development, with another consultation on the new local plan Coventr...