MATZ crossings at weekends
Thread Starter
Joined: Apr 2008
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From: Birmingham, UK
MATZ crossings at weekends
On a Sunday I want to fly from East Midlands to Seething airfield in east Anglia.
On a direct course this would cross through Cottesmore and Marham MATZ.
I have no problems with MATZ crossings but believe both of these are closed at weekends, i know i can enter a MATZ when closed (as long as i keep clear of the ATZ) but never really like to.
I also like to try and stay in radio contact with someone at all times but its a bit scarce for airfields etc in norfolk
What would anyone recommend?
On a direct course this would cross through Cottesmore and Marham MATZ.
I have no problems with MATZ crossings but believe both of these are closed at weekends, i know i can enter a MATZ when closed (as long as i keep clear of the ATZ) but never really like to.
I also like to try and stay in radio contact with someone at all times but its a bit scarce for airfields etc in norfolk
What would anyone recommend?
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 58
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From: United States of Bradford
Can't speak for MRH but COT are quite often active out of hours/weekends.
Check NOTAMS and certainly give Cottesmore Zone a call. 130.2
Will look/listen out for you. Have a good trip.
Regards.
The Dolphin
Check NOTAMS and certainly give Cottesmore Zone a call. 130.2
Will look/listen out for you. Have a good trip.
Regards.
The Dolphin
Joined: Nov 2005
Aviation Qualifications: PPL
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From: Wildest Surrey
A MATZ is only active when the airfield it surrounds is open for operational flying (ie not when there's only station recreational flying) but there will ALWAYS be an ATZ embedded in a MATZ and you MUST avoid that unless ATC are in attendance and clear you to penetrate.
Joined: Apr 2007
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From: Here and There
Hi Aquascape,
Best bet would be to speak to Waddington Zone. The nice chaps and chapesses there should work you all the way until the Fenland area where they will get you to free-call Lakenheath Zone who may or may not work you all the way into Seething.
Waddo Zone should know the status of the MATZs on your route and will sort you out accordingly. (Thats the weekend shift stitched with another track
)
Jayfoe
PS Dolphinops you appear to be under the misapprehension that Cottesmore ATC is a proper ATC unit that occasionally does some work. Whereas in reality they are a bunch of workshy..... (active out of hours/weekends, I haven't laughed so much in years)
Best bet would be to speak to Waddington Zone. The nice chaps and chapesses there should work you all the way until the Fenland area where they will get you to free-call Lakenheath Zone who may or may not work you all the way into Seething.
Waddo Zone should know the status of the MATZs on your route and will sort you out accordingly. (Thats the weekend shift stitched with another track
)Jayfoe
PS Dolphinops you appear to be under the misapprehension that Cottesmore ATC is a proper ATC unit that occasionally does some work. Whereas in reality they are a bunch of workshy.....
(active out of hours/weekends, I haven't laughed so much in years)
Joined: Jul 2003
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From: Where I lay my head is home.
Call just in case
Aquascape
Whilst the MATZs of the aerodromes you mentioned are not routinely open at weekends, this is not always the case. A check call on the relevant Zone frequency is always advisable as the airfields concerned could in fact be open. In this case a MATZ crossing should be available.
Note Marham has extensive gliding and light aircraft activity at weekends without ATC cover. The Fenland Gliding Club and Marham Aero Club operate on the Marham Zone frequency 124x150, as does traffic at some nearby airfields. As previously stated, you should remain outside the ATZ in any case. Normally gliders at Marham are winch launched to around 2000 ft.
Whilst the MATZs of the aerodromes you mentioned are not routinely open at weekends, this is not always the case. A check call on the relevant Zone frequency is always advisable as the airfields concerned could in fact be open. In this case a MATZ crossing should be available.
Note Marham has extensive gliding and light aircraft activity at weekends without ATC cover. The Fenland Gliding Club and Marham Aero Club operate on the Marham Zone frequency 124x150, as does traffic at some nearby airfields. As previously stated, you should remain outside the ATZ in any case. Normally gliders at Marham are winch launched to around 2000 ft.
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 406
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From: Winchester.Hants.England
i know i can enter a MATZ when closed (as long as i keep clear of the ATZ) but never really like to.
If you just want to be in radio contact with someone then the FIR on 124.60 and when you get within range you should be able to get a service from Norwich on 119.350
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 58
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From: United States of Bradford
Flybywyre. You are of course correct. BUT to enter an active MATZ without contacting the operator is not really good advice I would suggest. A bit of unbooked DACT is always good for the soul.
Jayfoe. Feel free to work my traffic anytime. I can go home earlier.
No bite, just regards to a fellow operator in this area. You know what its like here...
Jayfoe. Feel free to work my traffic anytime. I can go home earlier.
No bite, just regards to a fellow operator in this area. You know what its like here...
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 385
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From: The Mysterious East
Before passing Marham make a quick call on their zone frequency 124.150 to check for gliders or other stuff going on.
Then call Norwich Radar on 119.350, they'll give you a service all the way to Seething.
Then call Norwich Radar on 119.350, they'll give you a service all the way to Seething.
Joined: Oct 2001
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From: wherever will have me
My, my Jayfoe, get out of your desk on the wrong side did we? You're right about COT of course, everyone knows that, but I'm sure that Dolphin would prefer some solidarity (brother) on a public forum! You know, make him feel better about only working 2 pairs of Harriers twice a day...
Anyway, Castle Donnington should be able to give you a service eastbound until you're at a point where Norwich will work you. Unless something has changed, Lakenheath won't be interested unless you're going to affect their MATZ. As others have posted though, if you're happy flying VFR without talking to an ATS provider, you should call on the Zone/App frequency for the MATZ and if no-one answers just make blind calls as you pass through. Marham weekend flyers will certainly be interested in hearing from you! Safe flying
Anyway, Castle Donnington should be able to give you a service eastbound until you're at a point where Norwich will work you. Unless something has changed, Lakenheath won't be interested unless you're going to affect their MATZ. As others have posted though, if you're happy flying VFR without talking to an ATS provider, you should call on the Zone/App frequency for the MATZ and if no-one answers just make blind calls as you pass through. Marham weekend flyers will certainly be interested in hearing from you! Safe flying
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 295
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From: UK
This guy wants to stay in radio contact with someone at all times....
Like I said London FIS . Pretty basic stuff 
If any airfields enroute are open FIS will know and advise/transfer you.
I also like to try and stay in radio contact with someone at all times but its a bit scarce for airfields etc in norfolk
What would anyone recommend?
What would anyone recommend?
. Pretty basic stuff If any airfields enroute are open FIS will know and advise/transfer you.
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 16
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From: Here and There
WWW,
Much as I bow to your obvious seniority ex-SFO the idea of Castle Donny working traffic outside of their empire is quite, quite absurb. Seeing as how the Mighty Waddo Zone take over the whole of Eastern England at the weekend (or so it seems) they would have had no problem in working him to just past the Marham overhead for a freecall to the lovely chaps at Norwich who are the finest civilian ATC unit in the country
So Aquascape how did you get to Seething, did you work the premiere ATC unit in the Area?
Jay
Much as I bow to your obvious seniority ex-SFO the idea of Castle Donny working traffic outside of their empire is quite, quite absurb
. Seeing as how the Mighty Waddo Zone take over the whole of Eastern England at the weekend (or so it seems) they would have had no problem in working him to just past the Marham overhead for a freecall to the lovely chaps at Norwich who are the finest civilian ATC unit in the countrySo Aquascape how did you get to Seething, did you work the premiere ATC unit in the Area?
Jay
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 16
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From: Here and There
Ah, Dolphinops, so your magnificent unit wasn't open then?
Ladies and Gentlemen of the Jury here ends the evidence of the Prosecution.
WWW this reminds me of a certain thread hi-jack from many, many years ago. I shall hunt it down!
Ladies and Gentlemen of the Jury here ends the evidence of the Prosecution.
WWW this reminds me of a certain thread hi-jack from many, many years ago. I shall hunt it down!
