UK GA briefing: Coventry, transit corridor and medicals
14 June 2026
A useful week for keeping the paperwork, planning and airspace picture in good order as the summer flying season settles in. The CAA’s latest Skywise notices touch everything from local operations at Coventry to the North West Transit Corridor, plus medical and training updates that will matter to many in the club world. There’s also a timely nudge for anyone affected by the ROAAS exemption expiry, and two temporary airspace restrictions worth marking down now if you are flying near the Isle of Wight or County Durham later in June. Looking a little further ahead, July is already filling with club events, fly-ins and hangar talk from Kent to Shropshire.
ROAAS Exemption Expiry – Action Required. The CAA’s SkyWise alert says the temporary relief for ROAAS compliance under General Exemption ORS4 No.1641 ends on 30 June 2026. From 1 July 2026, operators of affected aircraft are expected to be fully compliant with UK Part 26.205(a). If an operator wants to keep flying without ROAAS, the CAA says it must apply for an exemption and submit a safety justification, including a risk assessment and proposed mitigations. The alert also recommends early engagement with the CAA to help avoid disruption to operations.
Before you launch, check both NOTAMs and the latest local briefing for your route, then compare them with the week’s Skywise notices. A few minutes on the ground can save a great deal of re-planning in the air.
The North West Transit Corridor is one of several published UK routes where a clear, standardised briefing can make VFR life much easier for visiting pilots.
In the circuit
Coventry Airport: Safe local operations
The CAA’s Midlands Local Airspace Infringement Team is reminding pilots using Coventry Airport to keep a close eye on Birmingham Controlled Airspace, especially Control Area 2 with a base of 1,500 feet AMSL. The alert points crews towards the Airspace & Safety Initiative’s local Coventry guidance for help with the Birmingham CTA, Coventry ATZ, and the best joins and approaches into the airport. A practical tip highlighted in the notice is to level off at 1,200 feet QNH when climbing out of Coventry, giving a little extra room below Birmingham’s controlled airspace. In short, it is a straightforward airspace-awareness reminder aimed at helping local flying stay safe and infringement-free.
Flying the North West Transit Corridor
The CAA is reminding pilots using the North West Transit Corridor to keep a close eye on wake turbulence and TCAS risk, and to fly with the usual ‘Take 2’ margins in mind. In plain terms, that means staying at least 200 ft below controlled airspace, increasing that buffer if conditions are bumpy or thermic, and planning to remain 2 NM clear of controlled airspace boundaries. The note also says that, within the corridor, keeping to a maximum of 1,300 ft AMSL helps avoid both the wake from larger commercial traffic operating into Liverpool and nuisance TCAS alerts from aircraft in controlled airspace. The CAA’s closing message is simple: think wake turbulence, think TCAS.
Cardiovascular risk assessment for pilots and air traffic controllers
The CAA says updated guidance on cardiovascular risk assessment for pilots and air traffic controllers has now been published, following an earlier notification. The alert notes a new flow chart within the cardiovascular system guidance material, aimed at helping assess risk more consistently and proportionately across different medical conditions and certificate classes. The guidance is intended to support safe, informed certification decisions based on each person’s individual risk, and the CAA says aeromedical examiners should already be familiar with the updates and able to help as the revised guidance is put into practice.
New CAP 1530 OJT guidance
The CAA used this Skywise alert to flag an updated CAP 1530 for UK Part-145 organisations and licensed aircraft engineers. Dated Monday 8 June 2026, it sets out guidance on on-the-job training for the first type rating in a Part-66 licence category or subcategory. The update is aimed at helping operators and engineers get the details right on OJT requirements, task selection, supervision, assessment and approval, so endorsement applications are handled in line with the CAA’s expectations.
Restricted Airspace (Temporary) – for the Isle of Wight Festival between 17-22 June 2026
The CAA’s Skywise alert SW2026/202 says there will be temporary restricted airspace for the Isle of Wight Festival, covering the period from 17 to 22 June 2026. It identifies the location as the Isle of Wight, Hampshire, and says the full details are set out by NOTAM and in AIC M 016/2026. For pilots, the practical takeaway is simple: check the NOTAM and the aeronautical information before planning any flying in that area during the festival window. The alert itself does not give more operational detail on the page beyond pointing readers to those official sources.
Restricted Airspace (Temporary) – Fishburn Air Race 20-21 June 2026
The CAA has issued Skywise alert SW2026/201 for a temporary airspace restriction tied to the Royal Aero Club Fishburn Air Race, due to be held near Fishburn Aerodrome on 20–21 June 2026. The notice is dated Monday 8 June 2026 and says full details are published by NOTAM and in AIC M 051/2026. For general aviation pilots, the key point is straightforward: expect restricted flying in the Fishburn area over the race weekend, and check the formal airspace information before planning any flight nearby.
On the calendar
2 July 2026
An Evening with Ian Seager, London Flying Club
On 2 July 2026, London Flying Club is hosting an evening talk in central London with guest speaker Ian Seager, owner of FLYER magazine. The free event runs downstairs at The Albany on Great Portland Street from 18:00 to 22:00, with Ian speaking from 19:00. It should appeal to UK GA pilots and enthusiasts looking for an insider’s take on flying, aircraft, aviation media, and the wider GA scene.
4 July 2026
Open Weekend & Fly-in, Cotswold Airport
Cotswold Airport’s annual Open Weekend runs on 4–5 July 2026, with public opening hours from 10am to 4pm at the Cirencester airfield. The weekend promises close-up access to aircraft including the resident Boeing 747 “Negus” and Boeing 727 M-STAR, plus visiting aircraft, taxi demonstrations, airside tours, helicopter rides, live music and family activities. For UK GA pilots and enthusiasts, it’s a rare chance to combine a fly-in with serious aviation eye-candy, aircraft access and a busy airfield atmosphere.
4 July 2026
Stoke Medway & Invicta Aero Club Airshow, Stoke Medway Airfield
On 4 July 2026, Stoke Medway Airfield and Invicta Aero Club are hosting their airshow at Stoke Medway Airfield, Burrows Lane, Middle Stoke, Rochester. The airfield says to expect a packed afternoon and evening of aerial displays, live entertainment, food and family fun, with the programme featuring aerobatic performances. For UK GA pilots and enthusiasts, it’s a neat chance to catch a local airfield event that combines flying action with an easy social day out.
10 July 2026
Sleapkosh '26
10–12 July 2026 at Shropshire Aero Club, SleapKosh ’26 returns as a fly-in and airshow for members and fly-in visitors only, with no road access for the general public. The club says to expect a weekend of flying, warbirds, beer, live music, trade stalls, camping under wing, and a big airshow programme. For UK GA pilots, the draw is the scale of the visiting fleet, the PPR-only fly-in atmosphere, and the chance to be part of one of the country’s biggest grassroots aviation gatherings.
10 July 2026
Fly-in, LAA Kent Strut, Manston
10–12 July 2026 at Manston Airport, this LAA Kent Strut fly-in is set up for pilots heading to one of the UK’s most interesting GA airfields, with PPR required. It’s a neat chance for LAA members and other GA enthusiasts to get together, fly in, and make the most of a rare organised visit to Manston.