Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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235. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if flight training schools can operate civilian training flights during level 5 public health restrictions; if so, the way in which they have been advised regarding travel distance restrictions while in flight; and if civilians and non-essential workers are permitted to travel beyond 5 km from their primary residence in order to participate in practical flying tuition. [12852/21]

Hildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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At Level 5, the public health risk means that people are asked to stay at home, except for travel for work, education or other essential purposes. Attending a flight training school is considered to fall within the category of education. On 6 January 2021, the government announced that all higher, further and adult education should remain primarily online. However, where such activities cannot be done remotely, such as practical and skills-based tuition, limited on-site presence is permitted and those attending such tuition can travel beyond the general restricted 5 km limit.

Flight training is an educational activity that requires direct non-remote interaction with aircraft which cannot be replaced with online alternatives. Attendees of a flight school are attending a recognised training organisation and therefore may travel outside the 5km radius from where they reside. Not all those attending flight schools are necessarily trainee pilots. Some may already be qualified and employed commercial pilots attending the flight school to acquire a particular additional qualification or rating. As such they would be qualified pilots and considered essential workers. The completion of pilot training courses is time critical and attendees must complete flight training within regulated timeframes.

All public health regulations and guidelines must be strictly adhered to and operational and cockpit procedures of the flight school must be in line with HSE Covid procedures.