Pilot's Notes
There’s no single source of useful information for aviators, such is the varied scope and complexity of the interrelated worlds of aviation. However, the notes that follow will guide you to all the relevant sources of further information as well as goods and services – whether you want to buy a trial flight as a gift or are looking for a career as a pilot.
SPECIFIC INTERESTS
Gliding – the British Gliding Association provides all the information you need about gliding, and the BGA also publishes Sailplane & Gliding Magazine. www.gliding.co.uk
USA: Soaring Society of America www.ssa.org
Germany: www.segelflug.de
South Africa: www.sssa.org.za
Australia: www.gfa.org.au
New Zealand: www.gliding.co.nz
France: www.ffvv.org
European Gliding Union: www.egu-info.org
Microlights – the British Microlight Aircraft Association is the recognised body for this sport and their periodical is the Microlight Flying Magazine. www.bmaa.org
USA:
www.airsports.fai.org (microlights and ultralights)
Germany:
www.daec.de
Denmark:
www.dulfu.dk (Danish ultralight association)
Germany:
www.dulv.de (trikes and para motoring)
Europe:
www.europe-airsports.fai.org
Belgium:
www.fed-ulm.be
Ireland:
www.irishmicrolights.ie
Malta:
www.islandmicrolightclub.com
Spain:
www.sportec.com/fae (site for all Spanish airsports)
Italy:
www.ulm.it/default_en.htm
European site in 5 languages:
www.ulmeurope.com
Canada:
www.upac.ca
Aerobatics – The British Aerobatics Association runs glider and powered aircraft aerobatic competitions. www.aerobatics.org.uk and for international aerobatic competitions see www.iac.org
USA: www.american-aerobatics.com
Canada: www.aerobaticscanada.org
Finland: www.taitolento.fi
Scandinavia: www.skff.nu
Australia: www.aerobaticsaustralia.com.au
Brazil: www.acrobrasil.com.br
France: www.france-voltige.org
Germany: www.german-aerobatics.de
Italy: www.aeroweb.lucia.it/en/sports/
South Africa: www.aerobatics.co.za
Switzerland: www.saa.ch
Military aviation – the Ministry of Defence website www.mod.uk provides links to the RAF, Fleet Air Arm and Army Air Corps
Flight safety - GASCo is a Charity that works to improve flight safety in all forms of general aviation. www.gasco.org.uk
www.aopa.org/asf/ USA air safety foundation
Accidents - The UK Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) is part of the Department for Transport and is responsible for the investigation of civil aircraft accidents and serious incidents within the UK www.aaib.gov.uk
USA www.ntsb.gov/aviation/aviation.htm
Link for worldwide accident investigation branches:
www.gasco.org.uk
GENERAL INFORMATION
AOPA – the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association represents the interests of aircraft owners and pilots, and is part of a worldwide forum. See also their periodical: GA Magazine. www.aopa.co.uk
USA www.aopa.org
International link: www.iaopa.org
Royal Aero Club - this is the national coordinating body for Air Sport in the United Kingdom.
www.royalaeroclub.org
USA: www.eaa.org
CAA – the Civil Aviation Authority is the UK's specialist aviation regulator. www.caa.co.uk
USA www.faa.gov
PFA – the Popular Flying Association promotes the safe and economical operation of recreational aircraft and publishes the magazine: Popular Flying.
www.pfa.org.uk
USA www.eaa.org
European air sports:
http://www.europe-airsports.fai.org/
GENERAL AVIATION MAGAZINES
Widely available, these magazines and their excellent websites make it easy to find a flying school near you.
UK
Pilot:
www.pilotweb.co.uk
Go Flying:
www.pilotweb.co.uk
Flyer:
www.flyer.co.uk
Today’s Pilot:
www.todayspilot.co.uk
Loop:
www.loop.aero
USA
Flyer:
www.flyingmag.com
Plane & Pilot:
www.planeandpilotmag.com
Air & Space:
www.airspacemag.com
ANZ
Australian Flying:
www.yaffa.com.au
Flightpath:
www.yaffa.com.au
New Zealand Aviation News:
www.aviationnews.co.nz
South Africa
SA Flyer:
www.saflyermag.co.za
African Pilot:
www.africanpilot.co.za
PILOT SUPPLIES
UK
Transair:
www.transair.co.uk
Pooleys:
www.pooleys.com
The Flying Shop:
www.adamsdirect.co.uk
AFE:
www.afeonline.com
USA
Aircraft Spruce:
www.aircraft-spruce.com
Sporty’s pilot shop:
www.sportys.com
Pilot shop:
www.pilotshop.com
Link for list of European pilot shops:
www.flyingineurope.be/pilot_shops.htm
COOPERATORS
Airbus: www.airbus.com
Bombardier: www.bombardier.com
Diamond: www.diamondair.com
RAF: www.raf.mod.uk
Shell Aviation: www.shell.com/aviation
Stallion 51: www.stallion51.com
