Thanks for the info Mike. My Pooleys is 2003 bought just two weeks ago. Nowadays it states:
Caution:High performance aircraft often join via 'run and break' manoeuvre. GA aircraft are to join overhead at 1500ft QFE before turning and descending downwind to a circuit height of 1000ft QFE
Your point about the overfly is very good and I hadn't thought of that. I will make that the lesson learned for this occasion.
Please don't think I was having a go at any A/D in particular. I thoroughly enjoyed yesterday and would go again without a second thought. I was interested to know what other folks thought about conflicting information that pilots get sometimes.
Like Rustle, I printed the same AIP info and used that as the authority.
For the record Duxford FISO did an excellent job IMHO, certainly when I arrived it was busy but well organised and safe.
I do wonder whether the AIP ought not to say "essential" because it means to me that if something were to go wrong and there was an accident (God forbid) then when I am before the court (or worse at the pearly gates) the barrister prosecuting on behalf of the CAA might ask
"Mr Gumble, did you obtain your essential briefing before departure, as stated in the AIP?"
to which I might say "No!"
and would then perhaps be left with the remark "So you were not sure as PIC that the flight could be undertaken safely then?" to chew on
My point being that if manning levels do not allow the essential briefing to be available throughout the hours of operation it should not be stated as essential. Or conversely if the briefing really is essential then manning levels should be set accordingly or maybe a pre-recorded telephone briefing line might be a good idea. This could be set up as a premium rate line and the revenue generated could be used to help preserve the fantastic aircraft collection they have.
Anyway, I don't want to detract from what was an absolutely excellent day out for all PPRuNers.
Cheers
Barney
Edited by BG because I can't spell!!
Last edited by Barney_Gumble; 7th April 2003 at 03:59.