Clearance for sight-seeing IFR trips

[cheeseman]

Went on an interesting A320 flight out of Cardiff last night, up to Faro to see the Aurorae Borialis then back to Cardiff. I'd be interested to know what clearance was requested given that we didn't actually land at another airfield. No point in sitting on stand at Cardiff and asking for 'clearance to Cardiff'. So just '...request IFR clearance as filed'?. Also, given that we entered a hold just to make the most of the sights, how would that have been filed in the flight plan I wonder?

[HEATHROW DIRECTOR]

Could easily have been "cleared to Cardiff". The Concorde round-robin trips to the Bay of Biscay from Heathrow used to be "cleared to Heathrow".

Where the aircraft held could have been tied up with ATC as it approached the location, although there would probably have been some indication in the FPLN.

Lastly, did you mean Faroe Islands?? Faro is in Portugal.

[mssandvik]

yeh, could easily have been "cleared to cardiff". That is where the aircraft is going, regardless of where it starts ;)

My guess on the flightplan is that they have filed a route to the area, and back again, with a /rmk in field 18, where they write the flights purpose, and that a requested holding at this area are most lilkey.

Perhaps they plotted in a kind of a "cirle" in the area that they can fly along, using long/lat positions..?

[javelin]

Standard SID out of CWL and squawk.

Routing was airways to NOKIN, SETEL,TLA,STN,OLKER,MATIK,RATSU then back to STN, airways to CWL. Couldn't see anything else in the flightplan.

When we got north of Edinburgh, we asked Scottish to negotiate a free maneuvering area with Reykjavik at FL380 around OLKER rather than just going W to RATSU. We had that for approx 15 minutes.

Track W for 3 mins, turn E, repeat so both sides of the aeroplane had 2 passes and then back to CWL as direct as possible.

Thanks to all who helped - you were great, hope you are on tonight 'cos we are doing it all again out of Bristol !!

:ok:

p.s. Faroes, not Faro :8

[west lakes]

Hope you have/had more luck than a flight last week when someone forgot to put money in the leccy meter to switch the Northern Lights on!!

[MH132]

I personally don't see any problem in clearing a flight back to the departure aerdrome.
Did it myself many times.

"Flight123, cleared to Cardiff, via whatever departure, flight planned route, squawk 1234."

[javelin]

Stunning display last night - almost as good as Calgary or Vancouver returns, and once again, thanks to all who helped in ATC to enable us to stay up a little longer to enjoy them :ok:

[HEATHROW DIRECTOR]

Javelin.... you're sooooo lucky, although you've probably seen it many times before. It's a dream wish of mine, but doubt I'll ever make it..

[jackieofalltrades]

HD> I hope you do get to see them sometime. I've been fortunate to witness the lights on Trans-Atlantic crossings and they are without doubt one of the most awe-inspiring sights I've ever observed.

[HEATHROW DIRECTOR]

Thanks jackie.. I'll keep my fingers and toes crossed!

[CleartoFire]

Believe it or not you can see the lights in Benbecula occasionally. Stunning even that far South.