Routing to Alderney via EGHA (Compton Abbass)

[Scoobster]

I am planning to head down to the Channel Islands (subject to weather) later this week or the weekend.

Combine this with a lunch visit to see a friend who lives near Compton Abbass so the plan would be to stop there and then route to Alderney for cycle ride on the island.

Looking at options.. I tentatively lined up the following routing (subject to tweak).

Stapleford > Elstree > Wycombe > Transit Benson (Check if operational at weekend) > CPT VOR > Froome > Compton Abbass.

Keeps me away from the Danger Areas EGD123 and EGD124 and Boscombe Zone.

Dont know how busy Boscombe gets with traffic?

Leaving Compton was planning to be 1900 under Solent Zone or Transit above 2000 from Tarrent Rushton to Swanage, then to Needles Lighthouse, St Catherines Point (IOW) and into Cap De La Hague for Alderney.

Havent read the Alderney Pack yet so may be a special procedure whilst routing to Alderney.

Think this gives me a rough plan...

Scoobster

[Mariner9]

Several ways to do your first leg, the one you suggest seems OK (though I'd avoid Elstree zone to the north - perhaps BNN instead) From Compton, I'd route DCT Alderney unless D026 was active, in which case a slight dogleg via Swanage.

On flying into the CI's expect to be asked for an eta for crossing zone boundary (50N if approaching from the North, 2W if approaching from the East)

[Scoobster]

Thanks for that Mariner9.

I am tentative of going over Boscombe Zone but there is a parachute dropping zone at FL150 and a mish-mash of Danger Areas.

If this was the case then a DACS would be utilisied. Just wondered if getting across the zone and DA's is straight forward. Just to make the route a little bit more direct.

Though I'm in no rush and I heard approaching from the North rather than South makes Compton a little easier to find.

[cessnapete]

I regularly route overhead Boscombe en route to Compton from the East. Usually very helpful on 126.7. Boscombe Down is not a busy airfield ,very few movements daily. Obviously take care to avoid the DAs, a GPS tablet i.e. Skydemon a great help.

[pulse1]

I would be interested to know why you were planning to go East as far as St Catherines. Depending on the status of D026 and D031 danger areas why not route direct to ORTAC or, if you cannot get clearance to transit, put in a dogleg from Wareham to the East of Swanage?

[Scoobster]

Originally Posted by pulse1

I would be interested to know why you were planning to go East as far as St Catherines. Depending on the status of D026 and D031 danger areas why not route direct to ORTAC or, if you cannot get clearance to transit, put in a dogleg from Wareham to the East of Swanage?

No reason other than I thought I would do some sight seeing along the solent shorelines and IOW Shorelines.. and for safety if engine did cut out.. I am able to glide to land between those areas..as a contingency.

Water Crossings dont trouble me but I was just being cautious thats all.

Still a bit of a crossing though from st Catherines to Cap De La Hague.

I am just lining up a tentative routing at this stage taking into consideration where theis VRPs are for Alderney. I can certainly go direct from Compton via the dog leg at Swanage.If the DAs arent active then straight down pretty much..

Scoobster

[Sittiflyer]

I regularly route St Catherine's point to Ortac. The advantage is you go from London information to Jersey Zone, to Guernsey Approach to Alderney tower, all seamless. I usually request frequency change well before the CI zone, and get excellent service. Routing via Cap de la Hague just adds to the workload in my opinion. Enjoy Alderney, a great destination.
Sittiflyer

[chevvron]

Originally Posted by Scoobster

Thanks for that Mariner9.

I am tentative of going over Boscombe Zone but there is a parachute dropping zone at FL150 and a mish-mash of Danger Areas.

If this was the case then a DACS would be utilisied. Just wondered if getting across the zone and DA's is straight forward. Just to make the route a little bit more direct.

Though I'm in no rush and I heard approaching from the North rather than South makes Compton a little easier to find.

Boscombe usually active at weekends with Tutor flying (ATZ active SR to SS+30) but may not answer 126.7. You should get a reply if you call Tower on 130.750.

[AlanM]

The only thing to add is that your clearance into Channel Islands airspace will now be to a VRP - and one appropriate to the runway in use.

That is;

Alderney Lighthouse if 26 in use

Casquets Lighthouse if 08 in use

As said, Call Jersey Zone on 125.2 10-15nm north of 50N and expect a freq change to Guernsey Approach on 128.650 entering CAS. (So worth setting up)
Therafter, Alderney tower of course.

Jersey can give you the weather if they are not busy (and you call in time!)

Good luck

[Mariner9]

I assume you already know this Scoobster, but just in case:

1. A GAR will have to be filed at least 12 hours in advance both outbound and return to/from CI.

2. A flight plan will be required to/from CI

3. Claim drawback on the outbound fuel, and fill up with cheap avgas at Alderney.

[Scoobster]

Originally Posted by Mariner9

3. Claim drawback on the outbound fuel, and fill up with cheap avgas at Alderney.

I have read something about this but need to do some more research as I don't know how this works..

I presume I fill up my tanks (roughly 136L) at home base (and due to water crossing) and then claim VAT back on the full tank?

Or is it the other way round... fill up with enough endurance to get to Alderney and top up the tanks?

Don't want to get fuel starved on the way.

Scoobster

[Mariner9]

You can claim for the duty at £0.377/litre for the total fuel in your tank on departure from your final UK airfield. As you are planning to land at Compton, the drawback will relate to the amount of fuel in your tanks on your departure there.

While Alderney fuel will still be cheaper, would advise against departing across the channel without enough fuel to make it back to the mainland UK in case CI/N France fogged in (it happens)

[Scoobster]

Originally Posted by Mariner9

While Alderney fuel will still be cheaper, would advise against departing across the channel without enough fuel to make it back to the mainland UK in case CI/N France fogged in (it happens)

Thanks for this. I would certainly not want to be in this position if it was fogged in and didnt have fuel in my tanks.

As a matter or course, I always go to full tanks to the brim (182 Litres in the PA28) subject to mass and balance before any long journey.

So if its 1 hour flight to Compton at 32 Litres an hour I would claim the drawback on 150 litres? or must I uplift fuel at compton back to full tanks?

I'll look it up anyway and also refamiliarise myself with SVFR in case needed.

Thanks
Scoobster

[Mariner9]

Yep, claim on 150 litres departing Compton, no need to fill up solely for drawback purposes

[Johnm]

Drawback of duty but not VAT is available for whatever is in the tanks when you leave the mainland. From Compton Abbas you can pretty much route direct to Alderney. If Plymouth military are working they'll usually give you a transit through D026 occasionally they won't in which case you can normally route either further West or slightly further East and talk to Bournemouth Radar.

Jersey control will take you from about 15 miles north of the zone boundary and hand you to Guernsey approach as you enter the zone. They'll pass you on to Alderney tower with a weather update and the runway in use.

I normally cross the Channel at around 5000 ft,

Look out for our TB 20 parked on the grass near the hangars :-)

[reimomo]

Drawback of duty but not VAT is available for whatever is in the tanks when you leave the mainland.

Really? I always thought it was from the boundary... All these years I've been missing out on a few quid

[chrisbl]

Quote:
Drawback of duty but not VAT is available for whatever is in the tanks when you leave the mainland.
Really? I always thought it was from the boundary... All these years I've been missing out on a few quid

Strictly it is from the airfield of departure from the mainland. It is also bearing in mind if any of the fuel in the tank has already has duty drawback or is duty free, then no additional draw back is allowed.

So it is wise to check when the aircraft last arrived back in the UK. different places have differing rules for how they apply drawback.

I know of some groups who allow each member to claim back the duty on their respective flights, others where the draw back is retained by the group.
Its the same with clubs and schools as well. In some the drawback is credited to the pilot, in others it is retained by the school /club.

[hegemon88]

Did you end up going, Scoobster?

Hi,


Did you go? My reply may be a bit too late then, but just wanted to say that if my guess is right that you are/were taking one of the Stapleford's Warriors, then you won't get any duty drawback for the fuel you put in it at their pumps. To claim, you need an invoice for fuel "exported" and unless you pay Stapleford for filling up your own aircraft, you won't get any from them.


If you took up fuel at Compton Abbas and got an invoice, you could claim for that amount, but then as you rent the Warrior wet from Stapleford, you need to give that invoice to them - and as far as I know JHC's approach to finance, they will claim!


Hope that helps, pm me if it doesn't...




/h88