Originally Posted by
Dick Smith
I have met pilots who don’t have the confidence to request and comply with a clearance through C!
How sad is that. ?
I can recall flying with my son, then a PPL holder, in a Cherokee arrow from MIA to MEB about 20 years ago on a VFR day with a very strong northerly and a forecast of severe turbulence below 5000. Around Bendigo he wanted to start stepping down to take the western light aircraft lane. When I suggested we request a clearance to overfly MEL and MEN he was dubious because it was too hard. Anyway, he asked and 3 minutes later had a clearance. We still got a beating on the descent into MEB but only for a short time compared to an hour bashing about at 1500'. He had been taught to avoid controlled airspace like the plague because ATC didn't want bug smashers bothering them. You have to ask ATC "are you here for us or are we here for you"