Crossing the Irish Sea VFR - Airspace transits

[benwizz]

Hello,

I'm looking into crossing the Irish Sea to fly into Newtownards (next to Belfast) from overhead Morecombe bay (past Barrow on the northwest coast) routing via the northen tip of the Isle of Man. I'm hoping to fly as high as possible for maximum gliding range which takes me through the W911D and W928D advisory routes. Is there anyone I ought to speak to, even though it's not controlled airspace, to let them know I'm flying through them?

Also, between the Isle of Man and Northern Ireland there's the P6 airway FL75+. Who can I call up to request a transit through it?

Finally, for a zone transit through the Strangford CTA, is that controlled by Belfast, ie 128.5 for a zone transit?

Many thanks

[ab33t]

File a VFR flight plan and you can get handed off , always a good idea anyway

[fisbangwollop]

Call me coasting out at Morecambe Bay at Scottish Info 119.875....depending on your level I will transfer you to my Antrim Sector for crossing of advisory airspace. I only operate up to FL055 so if above that my Antrim sector will give you a service.

[eastern wiseguy]

Finally, for a zone transit through the Strangford CTA, is that controlled by Belfast, ie 128.5 for a zone transit?

Belfast 130.85 i.e City

[FragRad]

If you're flying over the N of IOM above 3000ft, give Ronaldsway a call on 120.850 (below that we have R/T coverage problems) you might even get a Traffic Service if you ask! Before that Warton Radar is probably a good bet on 129.525. If it's a weekday don't forget the Eskmeals danger areas D406 B & C often active up to 50,000ft, any local area ATC unit can give you activity status.

[Wing Commander Fowler]

Slight thread drift perhaps but you've reminded me of a flight I did in My Jet Provost back in 97 from Liverpool to Newtownards. I was at FL140 and under radar advisory, approaching the Whisky as I had done several times before in other aircraft and the controller suddenly became tense and instructed me to take up a heading 180 degrees from my previous one. Of course I complied swiftly and then queried as to the reason to which he replied "to keep you clear of controlled airspace". It was obvious he was referring to the Whisky and I "requested a turn back to proceed through" which he denied. There was never any mention of traffic conflict and I realised he was out of his depth. I cancelled the service, did a u-turn and clattered on through. The b*stard obviously filed an MOR. I believe upon receipt the CAA realised his lack of grounds and sought something else to hammer me with as I subsequently received a letter from the CAA advising me that they had been "made aware" of a flight I had conducted in weather unsuitable for my permit to fly retsrictions.......... I took great pleasure in letting them know that TAF's and METARS don't give the whole picture and that I had found a huuuuuuge hole in the sky to climb through and remain VFR for the whole flight.

If you are that controller then shame on you!