Flyer Magazine
News, views and chat from the world of General Aviation
Episodes
45 episodes
Perfect aeroplanes for summer evenings - The FLYER Show - 25th June 2026
It ain’t half hot, Mum! With weather like this week’s, what we need is a nice, simple aircraft for a cool bimble in the evening air. The team chose three aircraft that are perfect for an enjoyable, stress-free flight but the kicker is: they hav...
80 fabulous years of the deHavilland Chipmunk - The FLYER Show - 18th June 2026
“Why do people get all misty-eyed about an old oily piston single with only two seats?” But this isn’t any old piston single, this is the de Havilland Chipmunk! Yes, on this week’s show we talk to Ben Griffiths, journalist, pilot and author of ...
GA and Drones plus dumb CAA advice - The FLYER Show - 11th June 2026
We call it YADS (Yet Another Drone Story), but last week the CAA launched YAC (Yet Another Consultation), publishing three hefty documents capable of curing insomnia even after five double espressos. Despite the eye-wateringly dull and confusin...
Replica Warbirds - The FLYER Show - 4th June 2026
Few of us can afford a genuine warbird but there’s a world of replica aircraft out there, many built from kits, some from plans and others – the really dedicated – from studying museum pieces and or photos. Some are full-scale, others scaled do...
Transatlantic flight, done! - The FLYER Show - 28th May 2026
For some, including Ian, it’s a bucket list item. For others, ferry pilots, it’s a job. Whatever, it’s not a flight to be taken lightly because of weather, distance, weather, over water, weather, over ice, weather, fuel availability, weather… a...
AFFORDABLE WARBIRDS - The FLYER Show - 21st May 2026
So what’s a warbird? Any aircraft with a military purpose at some point in its life, is what we’ve gone for. But not the £MultiMillion exotica like Spitfires and Hurricanes, but something an ordinary pilot could own outright or have a share.&nb...
Special Top Gun Edition - The FLYER Show - 14th May 2026
The world’s greatest ever movie, Top Gun, was first shown in May 1986 so it’s now 40 years old and still as appealing as ever! We celebrate the date with our favourite scenes and lines, plus reveal some of the back stories which are just as bad...
Waco Whacked! Sonex Saved! - The FLYER Show - 7th May 2026
“To make a small fortune in aviation, start with a large one!” It’s as hard as ever to stay in business in General Aviation (GA) with manufacturers struggling to make money or even break even. We take a look back at three of the big name brands...
Mighty Microlights! (And the Cheap ‘n Cheerful) - The FLYER Show - 30th April 2026
Ahead of the Popham Microlight Trade Fair we take a look at the UK’s booming 600kg Light Sport Microlight category: what aircraft are approved, what’s on the way and our Top 5.In the News:AERO 2026 was a huge success: Ed has the num...
All that's hot from AERO 2026 - The FLYER Show - 23 April 2026
This week's show comes to you live - the team will be bringing you all of the hot news from AERO 2026!
It’s time for AERO Friedrichshafen! - The FLYER Show - 16th April 2026
Yes, the FLYER team is off to Europe’s top General Aviation show staged at Friedrichshafen Messe which just happened to be adjacent to the local airport, on the shore of Lake Bodensee in southern Germany. Aircraft, avionics, engines, propellers...
Three fantastic NASA aircraft - The FLYER Show - 9th April 2026
NASA has created many experimental aircraft over the years and operated many others. In the week Artemis II flew to the Moon and around it for the first time in 53 years, we pick our favourites… and it’s an eclectic mix, we admit. Especially si...
What is the cost in 2026 for Private Pilot’s Licence? - The FLYER Show - 2nd April 2026
£10k? £15k? £20k? We run through some of the figures, some of the options and remember our first solo flights - which vary from a flex-wing microlight to a glider to a Piper Cub!Plus, in the News:Sonex Aircraft closesAvid founde...
Avgas: Heading for £3 per litre? - The FLYER Show - 26 March 2026
Oil prices are rising quickly and the £3 litre of 100LL avgas is a definite possibility. In some parts of Europe, it’s already close. We take a look at current UK, Europe and USA prices, talk to the suppliers for their view and ask where’s it g...
Airport sale collapses - The FLYER Show - 19 March 2026
The sale of the busiest General Aviation airport in the UK to Horizon Aero Group has collapsed. What do the two local councils which own the airport do now? We visit the airport - still functioning and busy - and look at what it could be.
Air Racing, STOL, Rally, & More! - The FLYER Show - 12 March 2026
What flying competitions can you take part in as a General Aviation pilot? There’s a surprising number of events and a wide range of sports, from air racing to short take-off and landing (STOL) competitions. For the tourers, there’s the Pooleys...
Mandatory ADS-B on the way for UK General Aviation - The FLYER Show - 5 March 2026
The UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has sent the strongest signal yet that ADS-B electronic conspicuity will become mandatory for most aircraft operating in UK lower airspace. Why? How? When? We don’t know all the answers yet but here’s what ...
SkyDemon v two new apps. - The FLYER Show - 26 February 2026
Which is the best app for finding information about that airfield you’re thinking of flying to?In the news:What’s happening at Andrewsfield?What’s K59? Tecnam revamps fleet to fit new US sport pilot rulesGeneral Aviation did...
Hot or Not? Aircraft under £50k
We set a maximum budget of £50,000 and went looking in the classifieds (and elsewhere) for two choices: Hot (aircraft we’d really like) and Not (aircraft we’d rather not). Ian falls for a beautifully made Chilton monoplane, even though...
Are we facing Airfield Armageddon? - The FLYER Show - 12 February 2026
Britain’s airfields and airports are under threat. Popham, Coventry, Tollerton, Gloucester and Old Sarum are just some facing an uncertain future. This week we bring an update - likely to be the first of many.In the news, we discuss:
Don't Be a Radio Numpty
Simple but effective tips to improve your R/T! ATC expert Darren Lewington gives three straightforward ways to transform mumbling and stumbling radio calls into a thing of fluency. In the news we discuss:Cirrus launches Generat...
Will your revalidation refresher flight turn into a test?
Will your revalidation refresher flight turn into a test?That's one of the top three takeaways from this week's news of CAA licensing changes. Others include: Microlights are OK for Commercial Pilot Licence training and there are dark c...
Compton Abbas Airfield update. New boss explains 2026 changes
We visit Compton Abbas Airfield to talk with new Accountable Manager Ben Perkins and Head of Aviation James Wolstenholme about some welcome changes coming up at one of the UK’s most picturesque airfields, set in the Dorset countryside.P...
Aircraft grounded after FAA take action against popular trust company
This episode of The Flyer Show takes a look at the latest general aviation news, brings you your weekly SkyDemon tip, and of course your weekend weather outlook.The team discusses the FAA decision that has grounded N-registered aircraft...