big.al
Call Wadd, they'll ident you. If they think you're getting a bit close to Gamston horizontally and vertically they'll tell you to keep the squawk, give Gamston a call and then come back to them when you're ready. Waddington are very acomodating in that respect (I fly out of Nottingham, even though I work a lot further south so you're getting more personal experience than usual here
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Whirly
I think the best thing as far as A/G airfields is concerned is try and produce a mental picture by looking at the map and seeing what they've got in the way of facilities, and how they are situated. 3000' over the top of them I would say listening out is sufficient
but look at the map - how high are they? 3000' QNH over Leicester or Compton Abbas is worth a call. 3000' QNH over somewhere a lot lower then listen and look out.
ppl(a)
Couldn't agree more with regards to the likes of Stapleford - 250' between top of ATZ and London TMA it's not healthy not to talk
F3G
Nothing wrong with a good wind up
CM