Solent CTA zone transit
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Solent CTA zone transit
Hi all,
I will be flying from Headcorn to Compton Abbas soon, and would like to get as well prepared as possible beforehand. I would say that the best route would involve a zone transit of Solent CTA via SAM as per Pooleys. Would this be approved or does it depend on the volume of traffic on the day (probably a Sunday but may be during the week). Any tips on what to expect would be appreciated - this will be my longest flight to date so all input is welcome! The alternative I had in mind is south of the zone and then up through the gap below 2000'.
Thanks,
Vindaloo
I will be flying from Headcorn to Compton Abbas soon, and would like to get as well prepared as possible beforehand. I would say that the best route would involve a zone transit of Solent CTA via SAM as per Pooleys. Would this be approved or does it depend on the volume of traffic on the day (probably a Sunday but may be during the week). Any tips on what to expect would be appreciated - this will be my longest flight to date so all input is welcome! The alternative I had in mind is south of the zone and then up through the gap below 2000'.
Thanks,
Vindaloo
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Solent transit
Hi Vindaloo
Bournemouth radar offers a LARS service to all aircraft transits outside Southampton controlled airspace.
You may be lucky to get a SAM transit, however due to traffic it is not always possible.
The southern route via the south coast is a good option, however if flying below 2000' below CAS through the gap between Hurst Castle and Stoneycross, it is still advisable to call Bournemouth radar 119.47, as its a very busy transit route, traffic are descending onto the final approach and we can pass traffic info to you on any conflicting a/c. Microlites and gliders also use this route.
Another option and also a very scenic one, is to route Hurst Castle to Sandbanks along the coast then a direct track to Compton Abbas. Para gliding is common off the coast between Christchurch and Bournemouth and there is a large tethered ballon in the pleasure gardens in Bournemouth not far from the sea front. Bournemouth can offer a FIS or RIS as requested. In quiet periods you may be given a direct track from Hurst Castle to EGHA through the zone.
Have a good flight and we look forward to your call.
Regards
Annie L
Bournemouth radar offers a LARS service to all aircraft transits outside Southampton controlled airspace.
You may be lucky to get a SAM transit, however due to traffic it is not always possible.
The southern route via the south coast is a good option, however if flying below 2000' below CAS through the gap between Hurst Castle and Stoneycross, it is still advisable to call Bournemouth radar 119.47, as its a very busy transit route, traffic are descending onto the final approach and we can pass traffic info to you on any conflicting a/c. Microlites and gliders also use this route.
Another option and also a very scenic one, is to route Hurst Castle to Sandbanks along the coast then a direct track to Compton Abbas. Para gliding is common off the coast between Christchurch and Bournemouth and there is a large tethered ballon in the pleasure gardens in Bournemouth not far from the sea front. Bournemouth can offer a FIS or RIS as requested. In quiet periods you may be given a direct track from Hurst Castle to EGHA through the zone.
Have a good flight and we look forward to your call.
Regards
Annie L
Join Date: May 2003
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Hi,
I'd be curious to hear how you get on. Solent always seem to have a reputation for refusing transits - I've had 18 out of 19 in the last few years! The 1 was not too long ago one Sunday. It was remarkably busy and we were "blown out" somewhere close to Goodwood, so lots of time to plan an alternate. The only thing that raised an eybebrow was the quality of FIS was so good going up next to the zone that I'm sure it would've been easier for him to give the transit in the 1st place!
I'd be curious to hear how you get on. Solent always seem to have a reputation for refusing transits - I've had 18 out of 19 in the last few years! The 1 was not too long ago one Sunday. It was remarkably busy and we were "blown out" somewhere close to Goodwood, so lots of time to plan an alternate. The only thing that raised an eybebrow was the quality of FIS was so good going up next to the zone that I'm sure it would've been easier for him to give the transit in the 1st place!
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Just to add to Mike's post, 18 out of 19 transits approved isn't too bad.
Solent do seem to have unfairly acquired a "reputation". Unjustified IMHO, as I have had exactly the same experince as Mike, many crossings, very few refusals and all in good time.
It does seem to me that when CTR transit requests are declined there are a FEW pilots who take it as a personal insult and make sure that all and sundry are aware of their displeasure. The majority (incl me) who regularly get crossings (VFR) don't speak up enough, I reckon.
Please bear in mind that even though the freq (120.22) is busy at weekends, you aren't hearing ALL of Solents Traffic. There is much more that you won't be aware of. Frequency 128.85 is also in use for Southampton IFR deps and arrivals. (pls note it's ONLY for their use, crossing tfc should still use 120.22)
Oh, BTW did i read that Solent RADAR (Primary) is off for maint at mo?
rgds
BEX
Solent do seem to have unfairly acquired a "reputation". Unjustified IMHO, as I have had exactly the same experince as Mike, many crossings, very few refusals and all in good time.
It does seem to me that when CTR transit requests are declined there are a FEW pilots who take it as a personal insult and make sure that all and sundry are aware of their displeasure. The majority (incl me) who regularly get crossings (VFR) don't speak up enough, I reckon.
Please bear in mind that even though the freq (120.22) is busy at weekends, you aren't hearing ALL of Solents Traffic. There is much more that you won't be aware of. Frequency 128.85 is also in use for Southampton IFR deps and arrivals. (pls note it's ONLY for their use, crossing tfc should still use 120.22)
Oh, BTW did i read that Solent RADAR (Primary) is off for maint at mo?
rgds
BEX
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actually this seems an appropriate place to post a question that was on my mind over the weekend. Last time I was cleared throught solent was at 3,000ft VFR, which put me in the CTA as opposed to the CTR. Is it possible to get a SVFR clearance throught a class D CTA? I'm sure I read that SVFR was available in a control zone only?
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WF... is quite correct SVFR only in CTRs BUT.....
I spy possible confusion here. Mike, did you really mean SVFR in the CTA or did you really mean plain old VFR ?? the two are very different animals.
The transit clearance across the Solent CTR will usually be either VFR or IFR. Transit through the Class D Solent CTA can also be made VFR or IFR. It's ALL class D airspace, i.e. same rules.
SVFR ONLY comes into play in certain (crap) wx conditions, or at night, or in different airspace categories (Class A) where you can normally ONLY operate IFR. (Think Channel Islands or Heathrow CTR's).
Rgds BEX
I spy possible confusion here. Mike, did you really mean SVFR in the CTA or did you really mean plain old VFR ?? the two are very different animals.
The transit clearance across the Solent CTR will usually be either VFR or IFR. Transit through the Class D Solent CTA can also be made VFR or IFR. It's ALL class D airspace, i.e. same rules.
SVFR ONLY comes into play in certain (crap) wx conditions, or at night, or in different airspace categories (Class A) where you can normally ONLY operate IFR. (Think Channel Islands or Heathrow CTR's).
Rgds BEX
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After flying Shoreham - Compton with my Dad (who is an airline pilot) it was decided going round South was the best way.
My Dad flew into SOLENT not a problem, on the way back I opted to go around. For the sake of 5-10 mins extra routing via Calshot there is a lot less Radio Work - plus theres a better view if you go South!
Previously I have gone through SOLENT as part of my lessons and they have not been a problem and have been very accomodating.
My Dad flew into SOLENT not a problem, on the way back I opted to go around. For the sake of 5-10 mins extra routing via Calshot there is a lot less Radio Work - plus theres a better view if you go South!
Previously I have gone through SOLENT as part of my lessons and they have not been a problem and have been very accomodating.
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Bex,
Primary radar has been off recently. It was for maintenance... but unscheduled maintenance, if you know what I mean!
It is on at the moment, but I have been told there are unresolved technical issues so it could go back down at short notice. Obviously, while the primary is down, all arrivals are procedural and transits are about as likely as Airbus using SOU to test the A380's short field performance.
Primary radar has been off recently. It was for maintenance... but unscheduled maintenance, if you know what I mean!
It is on at the moment, but I have been told there are unresolved technical issues so it could go back down at short notice. Obviously, while the primary is down, all arrivals are procedural and transits are about as likely as Airbus using SOU to test the A380's short field performance.
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Hi Bex
I meant SVFR, I know a VFR transit is fine in any class D, but I thought a SVFR transit was only available in a CTR and NOT a CTA whatever the class of airspace it is? SVFR is permissiable in class D is in not?
How about if I phrase it slightly differently - can i fly non IFR throught the Solent CTR at night and can I fly non IFR throught the Solent CTA at night?
ta!
Oh and SOU Bloke I've had a transit through your zone in such conditions - so best polish the runway for that a380!
I meant SVFR, I know a VFR transit is fine in any class D, but I thought a SVFR transit was only available in a CTR and NOT a CTA whatever the class of airspace it is? SVFR is permissiable in class D is in not?
How about if I phrase it slightly differently - can i fly non IFR throught the Solent CTR at night and can I fly non IFR throught the Solent CTA at night?
ta!
Oh and SOU Bloke I've had a transit through your zone in such conditions - so best polish the runway for that a380!
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Some good points raised in this topic.
I don't go through that often but was told by another pilot if you want VFR transit of Solent, you are best to file a VFR flight plan first.
I have followed his advice on the few times I have been through and it worked fine.
Any truth in this?
I don't go through that often but was told by another pilot if you want VFR transit of Solent, you are best to file a VFR flight plan first.
I have followed his advice on the few times I have been through and it worked fine.
Any truth in this?
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MikeJeff - congratulations, it must've been a quiet day!!! 
We have had a 777 do a low approach and go around, so who knows?!
GFO69 - A flight plan will definately help... as far as Solent are concerned, if the 3 magic letters 'SAM' are in the routing then they will ensure a FPS is written out, and that always helps, instead of having to call up to pass details over the R/T, because the controller already knows your route, type, level requested (obviously that'll be checked, or a different level suggested to enable transit) etc, etc...
The FPL's at Solent/SOU come through to the Twr, and are then passed by phone down to the Solent Assistant... so as long as you include SAM on your route, details will be passed down.
We have had a 777 do a low approach and go around, so who knows?!GFO69 - A flight plan will definately help... as far as Solent are concerned, if the 3 magic letters 'SAM' are in the routing then they will ensure a FPS is written out, and that always helps, instead of having to call up to pass details over the R/T, because the controller already knows your route, type, level requested (obviously that'll be checked, or a different level suggested to enable transit) etc, etc...
The FPL's at Solent/SOU come through to the Twr, and are then passed by phone down to the Solent Assistant... so as long as you include SAM on your route, details will be passed down.
Have always found SOU very accomodating, and on a murky day earlier this year received an excellent FIS while routing VFR up the East side of the zone.
Time before that I transitted South via SAM-NEDUL at 3000' with no probs. Just called for VFR transit about 5 mins from zone boundary. As we passed overhead the SAM, a "Jersey" Dash 8 enroute GUR departed beneath us and was vectored on a dogleg to the East to climb clear of us, before passing ahead and above on his way to ORTAC - what service
Suspect being at 3000' helped, and that SOU had all their radar facilities serviceable at the time (this was about a year ago).
Time before that I transitted South via SAM-NEDUL at 3000' with no probs. Just called for VFR transit about 5 mins from zone boundary. As we passed overhead the SAM, a "Jersey" Dash 8 enroute GUR departed beneath us and was vectored on a dogleg to the East to climb clear of us, before passing ahead and above on his way to ORTAC - what service
Suspect being at 3000' helped, and that SOU had all their radar facilities serviceable at the time (this was about a year ago).
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Hi Mike,
You are correct. SVFR is ONLY available in the UK in Control Zones (ref UK AIP ENR 1-2-1 and ENR 1-2-2)
So, at night in the CTR : SVFR or IFR. In the CTA: IFR only.
Rgds BEX
You are correct. SVFR is ONLY available in the UK in Control Zones (ref UK AIP ENR 1-2-1 and ENR 1-2-2)
So, at night in the CTR : SVFR or IFR. In the CTA: IFR only.
Rgds BEX
Solent Radar is currently u/s. Estimated date for restoration is September 11th. Apparently some part of the antenna turning gear has broken irrepairably and a replacement is awaited.
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Thanks for the replies Re VFR flight plan.
I always try to file any way as I think it must make ATC lives easier, and I find I get a much better service.
Mind I heard a guy once try to file a VFR flight plan to go 10 miles to go some gen handling then come back to the same field. I also heard the guy in the tower splitting his sides laughing
I always try to file any way as I think it must make ATC lives easier, and I find I get a much better service.
Mind I heard a guy once try to file a VFR flight plan to go 10 miles to go some gen handling then come back to the same field. I also heard the guy in the tower splitting his sides laughing
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Thanks for the replies. The plan then is to contact Solent Approach for a zone transit via SAM, and if this is refused to go south and contact Bournemouth Radar. Will let you know how I get on (assuming there's still some nice days left this year at the weekend!)
Regards,
Vindaloo
Regards,
Vindaloo
