Thanks to UK Approach Controllers

[Whiskey Kilo Wanderer]

Thanks to Gatwick Director, Essex Radar and all the others for allowing us Puddle Jumpers in to play in their Class D airspace, while the airliners are having a volcanic ash induced rest.

We managed to get to places and see sights that are more usually the result of a nasty airspace infringement.

Thank you all for letting us in, we really appreciate it.

Safe Flying (and Controlling)
Richard W.

[Dan Dare]

I'm sure that thanks are appreciated by all, but I feel I have to take you up on a couple of ppoints [at the risk of being flamed right back]

allowing us Puddle Jumpers in to play in their Class D airspace

well its not really their airspace, its all our airpace as insisted upon by AUS (Airpace Utilisation Section). Airfields have to show availability for all when they are applying for the airspace in the first place - albeit the reason for having it is for the protection of flights, which may preclude your presence under some circumstances.

We managed to get to places and see sights that are more usually the result of a nasty airspace infringement

In the old days when the skies were blackened by airliners (ah, sweet nostalgia) these areas could still have been available to you. Some by simple RTF request on frequency on the day, others by prior co-ordination and possible non-standard flight notification via Swanwick, but no infringement would have been required to see these places. It is also VITAL that you all request clearance to get in to the various controlled airspace now - even though no airliners are flying - otherwise you will end up as one of those nasty airspace infringements and more staff are available for filing them at the moment:eek:

Anyway, thanks for your thanks and apologies for my pedantry.

[Dan Dare]

and thanks to you GA pilots who have relieved the monotony by flying past and passing on their pleasure of experiencing the normally forbidden. I wish I could do the same rather than being at work.

Also, apologies for all those reasonable sounding requsts which have been refused. Honestly, we would love to accept touch and goes, landings (for a small fee), special VFR, night flights, low fly pasts, aerobatics in the overhead, balloons and gliders etc. but its not our airfield and not our rules. We do try to push back at the rule-makers and fun-breakers, but often we have no choice, but to say no. Sorry.

[Dannyboyblue]

Can i also pass my thanks onto the Gatwick director that was on around 18:30 local at gatwick for allowing me to do a low approach go around. It was great fun and nice that you guys were so flexible.

Thought i would share a funny point with you that when i changed to Farn they said i should head immediately out of the zone as i was technically infringing, came back saying its ok i've just done a go around at gatwick so they do know about me!

Cheers again

DBB

[mr.777]

Can i also pass my thanks onto the Gatwick director that was on around 18:30 local at gatwick for allowing me to do a low approach go around. It was great fun and nice that you guys were so flexible.

Thought i would share a funny point with you that when i changed to Farn they said i should head immediately out of the zone as i was technically infringing, came back saying its ok i've just done a go around at gatwick so they do know about me!


Wasn't me DBB, but I shall pass that on for you when I go in this afternoon. Nice to have some positive GA feedback for once! Your Farnborough bit did make me laugh.

[Lightfly]

As Whisky Kilo s grateful passenger I'll add my thanks to Gatwick Director ATCs and all others who have have been flexible in these unusual times


Here are couple of shots as we flew over

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_0YzVBfj_xg8/S82rEyEpS0I/AAAAAAAAAS4/Vryfo9eWLko/s640/Gatwicksmall.jpg

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_0YzVBfj_xg8/S82rEQVsLeI/AAAAAAAAAS0/8563lJXdhSY/s640/Gatwick2small.jpg


Cheers Nick

[Sir Herbert Gussett]

What on earth is that?!

[eastern wiseguy]

I believe it is a place reserved for the use of land aeroplanes somewhere in the south east of England.:)

[Sir Herbert Gussett]

I'm meaning the plane/flying desk-type thing!!

[Whiskey Kilo Wanderer]

Sir Herbert,

For your Lordship's information, it's a Rans S6, otherwise described as a 'See-Through Cessna'.

Safe Flying,
Richard W.