SOLENT DILEMMA
I wonder if any more experienced pilots could help me with the following.
I am planning a VFR route along the Solent to the west then to a turning point at Lyndhurst via the bulieu VFR before going south to the west of the Isle of Wight then back east, south of the island.
This wil involve operating in the vicinity of the the Solent CTA either below 2000ft or above, with clearance.
If I elect to stay below 2000ft the MSA is 1900ft at one point so there is not much room for error. It might be less hassle but more nerve racking.
If I seek clearance from Solent Radar say south of Portsmouth and don't hear from them because they are too busy do I orbit outside controlled airspace in anticipation or simply fly below 2000 and call say Bournmouth for a traffic service.
Also, if I do get clearance will they direct me via a specific route or will I be able to choose?
Last edited by theolderflyer; 8th May 2013 at 19:22.