CNFAS PRESS RELEASE - Sunday 10 May 2020

Resuming flights: yes, but on what conditions?

In its press release of Tuesday 5 May 2020, the CNFAS called for a gradual and cautious resumption of flying in strict compliance with health rules and environmental considerations.

For obvious safety reasons, besides solo flights, priority should be given to instruction flights as well as theory training or practice on the ground while respecting distancing rules.

Following the government’s announcements on 7 May and in light of the official texts known as of 10 May at 6 pm, the CNFAS notes that from 11 May:

• Nothing stands in the way of reopening all the airfields, sites and bases where recreational aeronautical activities take place;

• There is no distinction between red regions and green regions as regards the possibility of flying;

• Pilots must stay within the geographical limits set by the authorities;

• Nothing prevents crossing départemental boundaries.

As regards the possibility of dual-control instruction flights, the CNFAS sees no regulatory obstacle and asks the aeronautical authorities, as was done for driving schools and other professional or sporting activities, to confirm it in order to guarantee the best safety conditions when activity resumes.

The CNFAS will also be very vigilant to ensure that the legal conditions for our activities are uniform across the whole territory and consistent with our need to resume activity safely. The necessary civic spirit of each person only makes sense if the rules of law are shared by all.

The CNFAS

• 9 federations, 140 000 members, 3 200 clubs, 24 000 powered aircraft, 2 000 gliders.
• Public-interest associations recognised by the Ministries of Transport and Sport, the federations offer young people in our country, on a voluntary basis, an ideal, aeronautical training, an exciting and demanding way of life, and above all a professional future.
• The federations play a very important role in France's place in the aeronautical world: success in sporting competitions, supervising young people in aeronautical activities, training pilots, training engineers and technicians, innovation through amateur building, and preserving flying heritage.