military airfield clearance?
A few (?) years ago, I was flying cross country in a single seat Pegasus glider.
Departed Wycombe, overhead Aylesbury, turning in the town thermal at about 3,000'. And decided to overfly active United States military airfield at Upper Heyford, to carry on over Banbury, and possibly go on to Wellesbourne.
The courteous thing to do was to communicate with the military airfield.
So I turned on the radio in the glider, and the conversation took place as follows:
Me. Upper Heyford, this is Glider 987
Heyford: Glider 987, squawk ABXZXYZ ! (or whatever)
987: Unable, negative transponder. (I had a PPL IR, so could talk their language!)
Heyford: Glider 987, what is your intention?
987: Intending to overfly Heyford en route to Banbury
Heyford: 987 What is your location and altitude?
987: Overhead Aylesbury, approximately 3,000'
Heyford: And your present heading?
987: I'm going around in circles!
at this point Heyford gave up while anyone on frequency was highly amused...
Eventually they asked me to notify when intending to overfly Heyford.
I promised to do so, and carried on over Aylesbury to 5,000'. Then approaching the Heyford Zone, the following exchange....
987: Heyford, 987 indending to transit overhead.
Heyford: Maintain 3,000 feet.
987: I'll try!
They just didn't get it, did they?