Light Aircraft Crash in Oxfordshire

[ShyTorque]

LFAJ, I agree that in the past it was a requirement and have complied with it many times. In fact I was once reported to the CAA for allegedly not doing "booking in or out" at a minor airfield. I had in fact done so, by literally making an entry in a movements log kept in the clubhouse in the absence of the AFISO who was not on the premises at the time. The company I worked for had also PPR'd my visit although it wasn't a mandatory requirement.

However, my initial post was deliberately meant to be a question, not a statement of fact.

[EGBTAM]

Hi Guys


Just to clear up a few points


Dave did book out with us at Turweston ,
He was going to Chalgrove on official Martin Baker business
He spent time with us in the tower before departing checking the weather
at the destinations he was intending to fly to and also the enroute weather
in between .
Such a shame we lost another top chap , he will be missed by a lot of people


Best regards CB

[9 lives]

requires a pilot intending to make a flight to inform the Air Traffic Service Unit (ATSU) at the aerodrome of departure,

From a standing start, not knowing UK regulations, and having never "booked out" in reading the quoted regulation, I would only feel obliged to inform the ATSU at the aerodrome of departure. If the aerodrome of departure had no ATSU, I would notify a responsible person of my choosing, and go.

As I drive my car, I fly my 'plane as a private matter. If I want a third party to know where I'm going, I'll file a flight plan. Otherwise, it's a flight itinerary with the private person of my choice. But, that's Canada for you....

[tmmorris]

Thanks EGBTAM, good to have what (I assume) is actual information for a change.

[Arfur Dent]

You had "actual information" about the destination 80 posts ago but you chose to disbelieve it! (I assume).

[212man]

Dave did book out with us at Turweston ,
He was going to Chalgrove on official Martin Baker business

Hard to imagine opting to fly in poor weather rather than take a 36 mile road trip!

[ANW]

Reference booking in/out (UK relevant)

As part of the granting of planning permission for various airstrips which have achieved planning consent, it has been stipulated in the operating Conditions by HM Government Planning Inspectorate in one case, and the appropriate Local Planning Authorities in the others, that an airfield movement log* must be maintained. Such a log to be available for inspection upon request.

The airfields are restricted to annual movement caps. In one case specific days of operation and restriction on times come into play. Hence the need to have a movement record for official purposes. That the Government Inspectorate made such a stipulation does suggest it is 'official'.

That such a Log is maintained has equal benefits when visits are made by the likes of Border Force/Police. Ask them to sign and date your log to record their visit. Can be a helpful reference in the future.

* we choose to record pilot name, runway used, inbound/outbound airfield/local flight. The authorities are primarily interested in date/time/aircraft reg+type to see if movement totals are being exceeded. The other details are for reference in the case of safety overdue, noise complaints etc.

[dsc810]

@212Man
re the 36 mile car journey option
Note the use by @EGBTAM in their post of the word "destinations" ie plural.
Suggesting to me anyway that Chalgrove was merely a stopping point off on a longer journey.

[runway30]

Interesting that it was described as official Martin-Baker business on a Sunday. Collecting a passenger, perhaps?

[9 lives]

[QUOTE]Martin-Baker business on a Sunday. Collecting a passenger, perhaps?[QUOTE]

'Might not have needed to land to do that there....

[piperboy84]

Wherever the final destination was is really beside the point, the first leg from Turweston to Chalgrove (with no IAP available) is looking more and more like a very dicey proposition considering the weather reported and observed on the day regardless of the equipment being flown and the vast experience of the pilot. If it wasn't incapacitation then I'm afraid this accident may be joining the many other similar reports from investigation boards around the world as your bog standard CFIT or spatial disorientation while maneuvering to attain a visual approach in IMC conditions.

[runway30]

I think that whether or not this was the final destination is exactly the point. The decision to go or not go is entirely different if instead of jumping in the car, you have to disappoint passengers waiting to be picked up. Too many times we have seen the passenger on the ground become an influential part of the decision making process. There sometimes isn't as much discussion of the issues after the accident report is published so the question I pose is how do you ensure that pilots who are otherwise skilled and careful make a properly considered decision when there are people waiting for them on the ground?

I must empathise that I don't know the circumstances of this accident so this is an unconnected question at this point.

[tmmorris]

Thing is, Arfur, Chalgrove is a highly unlikely destination, especially on a Sunday; ground track is inconsistent with manoeuvring for a landing at Chalgrove; and you never know who people are on PPruNe. Much rubbish gets written as a result.

[Tagron]

From another forum, the purpose of the flight was to collect two pilots from Chalgrove, deliver them to Gamston whence they would ferry the Martin Baker KingAir back to its base at Chalgrove, the PA30 to return direct to Turweston.

[Pittsextra]

So would seem pretty well planned in so far as the intent, more so given the local weather was reasonably consistent and the return flight might suggest at least two crews would not accord with many views expressed here.

[runway30]

Was this a paid for charter? Was it undertaken under an AOC?

[runway30]

Company A owns the airfield
Company A also owns an aircraft operated under an AOC by Company B
Company B charters an aircraft owned by company C who do not hold an AOC in order to position a crew working for Company B crewed by a pilot who is employed by A,B or C?

Or have I got that wrong?

[Sir Niall Dementia]

Runway 30;

You are looking at the same pachyderm I am. I wonder if, or how much pressure there was to fly.

I was flying that day, but only because Ops tasked me to and the weather was ok if you like flying approaches to minimums. Given a choice (or a different means of earning a living) I'd have been at home watching tv.

SND

[tmmorris]

I think company A leases the airfield from the MOD, not that that is relevant.

[runway30]

Thanks tm, that's more accurate