Still it is a nasty shock if you've just realised the effects of the Ban.
And it's a wide spread ban.
My field south of Gatwick is closed for a month with draconian threats if we dare try to slip out and southwards out of the zone. The only way to fly for a Summer month which embraces the whole of 5 week-ends is to buy a transponder.
The cost & not even installed is a whopping £1590 for the minimal version by TRG.
HMG may have spent a lot of taxpayers money setting up the whole affair, but have not really responded to those of us trapped by cost or marginal position into losses. And, yes we do use VHF, SafetyCom, Farnborough and the rest as best we can - when they aren't too busy to do more than parrot 'Basic Service'.
The latter has little value, except by listening out when once in a while another pilot may give his position.
Last Sunday they weren't too busy but I still had a head to head with a.n. other at different altitude without a whisper from Farnb.
mike hallam
So what's it all about, just a massive imposed Potlatch.
Last edited by mikehallam; 17th May 2012 at 10:22.