Calling up for a practice VFR approach

[benwizz]

When flying near a large airfield, how would controllers feel about aircraft asking to fly a practice approach? I fly in the Leeds area and would quite like to do an approach or even a touch & go there into Leeds Bradford, just for the novelty of flying into a big airfield with the airspace that goes with it. It would also be nice to fly over Leeds where I live.

Should I ring up the ATC number on the AIS and ask beforehand, or just call up on the approach frequency and see what they say? Or would I be making a nuisance of myself?!

I'm only a low hours PPL but I want to keep my flying interesting and try different things to make the most of it!

Thanks

[TheOptimist]

I'm only a low hours student myself so obviously don't take my opinion too seriously, but I imagine they wouldn't be too chuffed if you're doing practise approaches.

Full stop landings serve a purpose, touch and go's are generally just for practise obviously - and unless you trained at a HUGE aerodrome I doubt you need much practise landing on a runway as big as Leeds/Bradfords

You could always ring and ask I suppose.

[HEATHROW DIRECTOR]

Bell them first or you might have wasted the flight. You'll probably be charged an arm and a leg even if it's approved methinks..

[Diaz]

In their textual data it does say;

This aerodrome is PPR for all General Aviation aircraft, Tel: [phone], Airport Operations or via handling agent (See AD 2.4).

Microlight aircraft are not accepted.

7 Training
a Training flights by jet aircraft shall be subject to the approval of the Airport Director and will be subject to the following conditions:
i No training flights on Sundays, Good Friday or Christmas Day;
ii no training flights on other days between 1800 and 0700 winter and 1700 and 0600 summer;
iii a maximum of two hours training by any one aircraft in one day;
iv only one aircraft to use the Aerodrome for training at any one time;
v all training circuits shall be carried out at least 1500 ft aal;
vi training aircraft must climb straight ahead after take-off to 1000 ft aal, before turning, unless otherwise instructed by ATC.
b Training flights by non-based aircraft likely to cause noise nuisance to surrounding areas are prohibited during late evening and at night.
c Practice go-around procedures initiated below 500 ft QFE are not permitted for either four-engined or jet aircraft not based at this airport.
d Flying training by any Air Transport aircraft whose MTWA is greater than 4000 kg, is not normally permitted on Sundays.
e Helicopter circuits by day or night are not permitted.
f Rebated fees for training flights subject to prior written approval from the Airport Authority. Training rebates cannot be approved verbally and
will not be granted retrospectively.
g Aircraft involved in practice holding and instrument procedures must have a serviceable transponder.
h A booking slot system is now in operation for aircraft using this airport for training. Slots must be booked by application to ATC,
Tel: [phone]. Operators may normally book a maximum of two slots in any one day. Further slots on the same day may only
be booked, if available, up to a maximum of one hour prior to the slot in question.
The filing of a flight plan does not constitute a booking to carry out instrument training. Failing to make a booking may result in aircraft being
refused use of the facilities. Any changes to training requirements must be notified to ATC, in particular when slots are no longer required.

[Grabbers]

Try Leeming just up the road; they're pretty quiet now.

[aluminium persuader]

As Grabbers says - try mil bases; they're generally more able to help.

ap

[HeathrowDictator]

Never mind Leeming, try Durham Tees Valley - we are more than happy to take any training aircraft and will accomodate wherever we can (usually 99% of the time!).

I can't comment on the charges though as we don't get involved with that side of things but a telephone call through to Finance should solve that question.

-HD-