Southend Airshow this weekend

[bar shaker]

Yep, its that time again.

And its always stunning how many people request a transit, despite the 5 mile TRA.

Please check your NOTAMs and AIC's if you will be flying in the Essex/Thames/Kent area.

Last year some people came onto the radio in a state of some concern, having seen very fast, low military jet traffic pass close to them. Had they not made the radio call, they would have driven straight into the display zone.

[VFE]

There are some right muppets around. Had someone come bopping straight through the hold once at Southend whilst we were under IFR with the screens up. A courtesy call came once they had transitted through the airspace! Not nice to hear unknown traffic on a reciprocal heading and possible same altitude at any time of the day or night but the last place you expect it is above a controlled field.

VFE.

[cblore]

It's always a great event (although the commercialisation with so many stalls and competitions these days can detract from the flying, especially when I'm there with my younger brothers :mad: ) One year though, I saw several interesting incidents over Canvey Island, where an unsuspecting PPL holder passed at high speed by an F117 that was there for the first time. I'm sure he won't have forgotten that in the hurry and maybe he'll learn to check the NOTAMS more thoroughly in future!

[javelin]

Pity Uncle Jack won't be there in his 757 - still, he may turn up in something orange one day :ok: