Hi,
Had to reply since I have an airfield in Scotland that is two miles outside an ATZ and had posted this on a microlight group in response to an incident at london Colney.
Was amazed that I had raised the same points as this lady, and that ATC the UK over likes "not above 2,000ft" in Glass G AND that we are almost 1,000ft above sea level.
>>We have a similar problem at Strathaven, and with light aircraft too.
The bigger problem are light aircraft who fly right through the
circuit at 1,000ft (we are 847ft above sea level and on the edge of a
corner of the Glasgow zone. Glasgow ATC often route traffic "outside
controlled airspace and not above 2,000 QNH"
So, what to do.
Number one. Talk to ATC. Point out some identified problems (this is
classic health and safety stuff) and suggest solutions too. (ie
suggest keeping to the south and east of Strathaven town)
Number two. Identify aircraft and then use G-INFO to send them a free
landing fee voucher.
Number three: Call ATC (ie Scottish Info) and ask them if they were
handling (possibly an FIS) an aircraft recently in your vicinity.
Number Four: Use a digital camera to take a picture and then enlarge
the pic on the computer to read the reg. Or show it to a local plane
spotter.
Five: Invite ATC and pilots from clubs and schools nearby to a BBQ.
This is what the parachute school at Strathallan does every year.
Then has a prize giving and says: Now you know exactly where we are,
bugg** off until next year and keep away from our jumpers (unless you
have ppr, use the radio etc etc)
Education is the key - but then, as an instructor, I would say that!
ps. To one chopper chap who I spoke to the other day, I got the
reply: But I was at 2,000ft exactly, so I would be above the circuit.
Says I: The airfield elevation is 847, so the circuit height is 1847.
Says he: Yes, so that why I gave you a little clearance.
Says I: Do you trust students to fly within 153ft of a given height?
(my polite way of saying: I don't trust helicopter pilots to fly
within 153ft of a given height!)
Says he: Aaaah! I think I will keep east and south of the town now!
>>>>>>>>
I am not in the helicopter that may plummet earthwards after a mid-air. Hopefully I won't be in the microlight (or the light aircraft that are now based at my field). Unfortunately, I may be quite pally with the non-helicopter chaps and their demise would upset me a little.
Let's ALL fly safe.
ps. At Strathaven, we use safety.com, not the microlight frequency. So we are banned by law from replying to any traffic calls. Apart from the microlight frequency being cluttered with non-essential traffic, and further training required to operate an air-gound service, I don't like the idea of a "non-permanently" manned frequency. It gives the idea that if there is no reply, then there is no activity (whereas the operator may just be in the loo/hanger/cutting the grass etc)
With safety.com, the default has to be that the airfield is active.