Originally Posted by pistongone
, i had my instructor with me so we had IR capabilities if required.
For the first time ever I find my self agreeing with DFC.....
Having your Instructor on board makes it even worse and I would pretty much guarantee in a clapped out club 150 you did not have "IFR capability". Unless of course it had been fitted with 2 alts, ADF and FM Immune equipment?
It is little wonder GA Pilots get such a bad rap if they think it is acceptable to "blag it" around controlled airspace.
As far as airspace is concerned I do think that they type fo metal you are flying does tend to influence the availability of a crossing. I have been refused crossings on low traffic days in the 152 and been given them without problem on high traffic days when whizzing accross in large multi engined metal.
Stanstead are notorious for being uncooperative as are Southampton but most other places I rarely have a problem. At 400hrs a year on private flights I get a pretty good exposure to zone crossing. Allthough these days I tend to go everywhere by airway!