Pooleys Blogs | Pooleys Flying Products and Accessories

Thirty-Seven Years in the Sky: Celebrating Helena Hughes

Helena Hughes has spent 37 years as an operational Air Traffic Control Officer, taught generations of student pilots through her Pooleys textbooks, and this week retired from one of the most remarkable careers in British aviation. This is her story, and the tribute that marked the end of an era.

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The Small Mistake That Can Cost an Engine

There is a moment in every aircraft service that almost nobody thinks about. A fresh can of turbine oil, certified and sealed at the factory, is opened with whatever tool happens to be on the bench. This guest article explores why that single moment can introduce invisible metal debris into your engine, and what clean handling actually looks like.

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Pooleys at SleapKosh 2026

SleapKosh returns to Sleap Airfield this July and we will be there as always. Here is why this pilot led weekend means so much to us, what we are bringing to the stand and how you can be part of it.

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Now in Stock at Pooleys: The Flyer Watch Company's New Horizon and Zulu Collections

Two new British made pilot watches have just landed at Pooleys. In this guest post, Dave Burns of The Flyer Watch Company introduces the new Horizon Chronograph and Zulu Automatic, and explains how every sale helps fund flying scholarships for the next generation of aviators.

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You can't become a pilot if you're colourblind. Or can you…?

Can you become a pilot if you're colourblind? In this honest and personal piece, Pooleys Ambassador James shares his own experience of flying with colour vision deficiency, what the medical standards really mean, and why a colourblind diagnosis does not have to be the end of an aviation dream.

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The History of the Pooleys Flight Guide: Britain's Essential Pilot Reference

The Pooleys Flight Guide has been the standard reference for UK general aviation for over sixty years. This is the story of how one former RAF pilot turned a notepad and a determination to fill a gap in the market into the most comprehensive aeronautical directory in the United Kingdom.

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Ground School – what I wish I knew. Written by India Morrell

At Pooleys, we are proud to support the next generation of pilots, and that includes giving our Ambassadors a platform to share their experiences honestly. India Morrell is one of our Ambassadors and is currently completing her commercial flight training in Spain. Here, she writes about the part of the journey that does not make it onto social media quite as often as the flight deck photos.

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Why Pooleys is Proud to Support Aerobility

Pooleys is proud to support Aerobility, the UK charity giving disabled people the opportunity to fly. Meet Malky, our Ambassador who is living proof of what that support makes possible.

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Pooleys Pilot Starter Kits: Supporting Student Pilots from Day One

Sebastian recently presented the 2026 Flying Scholarships for Disabled People scholars with their Pooleys Pilot Starter Kits. Find out more about the scholarships Pooleys supports and why a Starter Kit is the right first step for any student pilot.

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Applications Open for the 2026 Pooleys Ambassador Programme

The Pooleys Ambassador Programme is launching again for 2026, offering aviation enthusiasts the chance to become part of a growing community that celebrates flying, learning and a shared passion for aviation.

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Understanding the Weather and Flying Further Afield - Pooley Aviation Academy in Person Event

A practical in-person training day focused on meteorology and navigation, helping pilots interpret weather information, make safer go or no-go decisions, and build confidence when planning flights further afield in the UK and Europe.

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Introducing Moxy: Carbon Monoxide Detection, Delivered Directly to Your Headset

Carbon monoxide is a hidden risk in light aircraft, and Moxy is designed to make detection impossible to ignore. This aviation-specific CO detector delivers clear voice alerts directly through your headset, giving you immediate, actionable instructions when it matters most. Pre-orders opening soon at Pooleys Flight Equipment.

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