Wingly has analysed the consultation response document from the UK’s CAA, and while agreeing with most of the CAA’s conclusions, particularly regarding the need to educate passengers about the unique aspects and risks of general aviation (GA). However, some proposed amendments will be harmful to the future of cost-sharing flights in the UK and would force Wingly to close its operations in the country. We fear that the timing of the consultation report, just before the Christmas holidays, may have been intended to minimise communication and avoid criticism. In response, Wingly will work with AOPA early 2023 to bring attention to these issues and encourage decision-makers to carefully re-consider their conclusions.
Why would the proposed measures limit pilots and make platforms shut down?
The proposed amendments to the cost-shared flights would restrict pilots to only flying when they were already scheduled to fly, which raises the question of how this could lead to pilots flying more and gaining more experience. Increasing pilot flight hours is one of the main benefits of cost-sharing and is even highlighted by the CAA in the same document. This contradiction calls into question whether the CAA has fully considered the potential benefits of cost-sharing platforms in helping private pilots fly more and increase awareness about general aviation. To address this issue, we would be happy to engage in further discussion with the CAA through a meeting or phone call.
The primary purpose of platforms like Wingly is not to enable pilots to share the costs of flights they were already planning to take alone or with friends and had available seats, but rather to allow pilots to publish the flights they regularly enjoy and indicate their availability to fly with passionate passengers who want to join them. As a result of this system, pilots who use Wingly fly an average of twelve more hours per year. If this proposed amendment is implemented, private pilots in the UK who use Wingly would fly an average of twelve hours less per year, which could compromise aviation safety. Furthermore, if this amendment is passed, Wingly would have to cease operations in the UK because platforms like it would no longer serve a purpose.
The consultation accepted statements and feedback that were not factual rather than consult experts of the activity, facts and data:
The CAA’s consultation on cost-sharing flights noted a lack of statistical data. However, Wingly offered to provide data on over 45,000 cost-shared flights across Europe. The CAA also had access to data from all cost-sharing platforms in the EU and the UK through the EASA, but did not consider this information. Instead, the consultation response document accepted statements and feedback that were not factual. The CAA did not directly liaise with pilots who regularly use cost-sharing platforms or with Wingly, which has been facilitating cost-sharing flights in the UK since 2017.
Our Next steps
In January 2023, Wingly intends to carefully examine the CAA’s report and will collaborate with AOPA to devise a plan to address any proposed regulations that should not be included in future regulations. At the same time, the plan will highlight the proposals put forth by the CAA that will be beneficial to safety and to pilots in the community. Although the CAA’s recommendations have not yet been approved by the department of transport, Wingly is committed to ensuring that our pilot community can continue to cost share online safely, ethically, and effectively. We encourage our community to support us in this effort by being prepared to provide accurate information, data and facts to decision-makers, members of parliament, and the press. Wingly has already facilitated more than 45,000 cost-shared flights in Europe and will not let UK private pilots down, especially at a time when rising fuel costs and inflation are making it harder than ever for passionate private pilots to fly.
👉 Here you can find the link to the CAA article
2 Comments
After passing my PPL(A) and exhausting taking all my friends and family flying, it quickly became apparent that I could not sustain my expensive dream hobby.
My flying club require me to fly at least once a month to keep current. At the same time, the hourly aircraft rental costs have kept on creeping up. With two children and a mortgage, I found it increasingly hard to balance bringing up a family and maintaining my currency. After investing so much time and money in obtaining my PPL(A), I soon found myself at a crossroads where I nearly had to call it a day, and give in to the financial burden and worry of keeping current.
Fortunately the Wingly cost sharing platform started up. I was the first Pilot at The Pilot Centre (TPC) at Denham Aerodrome to be allowed to perform cost sharing flights. Wingly gave me an avenue for keeping my flying costs down since I could pay an equal share in the cost of a flight, which kept my wife happy, but at the same time I could fly more regularly each month which no doubt made me a safer Pilot.
I have found Wingly so rewarding, as it allows me to share my passion of flying with others, and give something back. You only have to look at some of my Wingly reviews to see how rewarding it is for the passengers:
https://www.wingly.io/en/users/show/17548#reviews
My flying club (TPC) have been very good to me and allowed me to keep up my Wingly cost sharing flights, but have made it clear that all Wingly passengers must sign a form to acknowledge that I will be conducting a Wingly cost sharing flight, and that I am not allowed to make money from the flight. In addition, I have always recorded all Wingly Flights on my logbook, and maintained a separate online logbook breaking down the costs, so that I can prove that I pay an equal share for every Wingly flight.
Let’s hope that common sense prevails, and Wingly Pilots can continue to share the cost of flying to keep flying safer, and give something back and promote General Aviation.
Thank you for sharing your experience with Wingly and for sharing your passion for flying with others. It’s great to hear that the platform has allowed you to continue pursuing your hobby while also being able to manage your financial responsibilities. Safety is of the utmost importance in all aspects of flying, and it sounds like you have taken the necessary precautions to ensure the safety of yourself and your passengers. It’s also wonderful to hear that you have been able to give back and promote general aviation through cost-sharing flights. Let’s hope that common sense prevails and that platforms like Wingly can continue to facilitate the sharing of costs and passions for flying.