Manchester - Amsterdam

[chris-h]

Has anybody done a simlar trip lately ?
Im hoping to fly vfr and as direct as possible, Schiphol is obviously very expensive so recommendations for cheaper airfields and routings please
:-)

[BackPacker]

Hilversum (EHHV) and Lelystad (EHLE) are the obvious alternatives.

Hilversum only if you have experience in flying from short-ish grass strips, Lelystad has a nice concrete runway. And although the distance 'as the crow flies' from Lelystad to Amsterdam city center is larger, by public transport it's actually faster than Hilversum.

From the UK you'll probably fly something like DVR KOK COA Moerdijkbruggen (three bridges just south of Dordrecht), Woerden, Huizen and then onwards to Bravo, the mandatory VRP for Lelystad. Most of the Dutch part of the route has to be below 1500' due to the Schiphol TMA. But that's no problem given that that part of the Netherlands is actually below sea level, and there's only two obstacles (near Hilversum and near Lopik) that can ruin your day.

Do you have mode-S and an ELT?

[chris-h]

Thanks, yes both mode s & ELT.

[cessnapete]

Going to Lelystad tomorrow VFR. Rang the ATC there as we don't have Mode S only C.
He said we would be OK as S not reqiured for UK reg a/c, as not a requirement for VFR in UK.
Let's see what happens tomorrow!!

[eyeinthesky]

Make sure you read and follow Lelystad's strict VFR joining procedures!

[NazgulAir]

Hilversum is a friendly place, but beware.
The circuits for Hilversum are quite different from the British standard circuit, very tight and low in comparison. Gliding, parachute dropping and ballooning operations using different areas of the field concurrently with you may provide a bewildering traffic situation in which good situational awareness is an absolute must. Slow and fast traffic mix without any separation except that which is provided by the pilots themselves and their common sense.

[cessnapete]

Flew UK to Lelystad and back VFR with only Mode C ,in last couple of days.
No issues with ATC whole route. So does not appear to be mandatory for VFR in practise.

[BackPacker]

Just curious. What was your route and altitude?

[cessnapete]

Cessna182.
From UK, Lyd ,overhead LFAC, COA, RR ndb (Rotterdam), direct Leylstad.

FL55 for Channel crossing then FL50 to COA and then not above 1500ft from COA to avoid the ROT and AMS CTRs.( The 1234ft mast south of Utrecht impressive!!)

Variously spoke to Dutch Mil, and Ams info.
No mention of Mode S and remained on 7000 with mode C throughout.