Take off from farm strip inside a zone

[batninth]

I apologise if this has been asked before, I have run a couple of searches on this forum but can't see any answers. I'm also asking here as I get lots of contradictory advice so thought I'd get the story from those who know please.

Situation is that I fly from a farm strip which is in a MATZ, in fact very close to the RAF station ATZ.

A small hill separates our farm strip from the station, so while I can hear the ATC when I have tried to call I have been told "Station Calling xxxx Radar you are unreadable". Now, this could be a radio fault on our part, but we can communicate with a nearby airport ATC fine which is several miles away so I'm not convinced that it is a radio fault. Also once in the air I can call xxx Radar fine.

My dilemma is when the station is busy, as it was today, what should I do? I would very much like (a) them to know I'm here, ready & willing to comply with their needs as I've no desire to mess up their day, and (b) it would be nice to know if there is anything around me that the mark 1 eyeball hasn't picked up (a Chinook passed overhead at circuit height, fortunately I was sat in the hangar eating lunch at the time but had I been in the air...).

So, should I take off & then call the station from the air, even if I'm doing circuits, or is there something else you ATCOs can advise.

BTW - What happens if you are in a similar situation but inside a Class D zone.

Thank you in advance for any advice

[criss]

Find out their phone number and call them before departure.

[throw a dyce]

We have a similar situation within our CTR.The operators and ATC agreed that pilots would phone up,and be given a clearance ,QNH,and a slot window to be airborne by.
That way the details are in front of the controller,and the pilot has a clearance to enter the airspace.Works pretty well,and the airstrip is on a 7 mile final for one of the runways.

[batninth]

Find out their phone number and call them before departure.

Daft question on my part, but where do you find numbers for RAF stations? I've looked at the RAF web site, plus the pages for the station as well as trying local web sites.

[west lakes]

I've just checked 3 RAF stations at random, all publish phone numbers under the contact us tab.

[Capot]

My 1979 Pooleys lists every RAF station phone number at the back. I suppose there's a chance that the 2010 one would do the same.

[Talkdownman]

Take off from farm strip inside a MATZ

Originally Posted by batninth

I fly from a farm strip which is in a MATZ, in fact very close to the RAF station ATZ. .......when I have tried to call I have been told "Station Calling xxxx Radar you are unreadable". .......once in the air I can call xxx Radar fine. My dilemma is when the station is busy, as it was today, what should I do? I would very much like (a) them to know I'm here, ready & willing to comply with their needs as I've no desire to mess up their day, and (b) it would be nice to know if there is anything around me that the mark 1 eyeball hasn't picked up....So, should I take off & then call the station from the air

BTW - What happens if you are in a similar situation but inside a Class D zone

If you are flying a civil aircraft then you are compliant by remaining outside the RAF station ATZ. The MATZ outside the ATZ is unregulated. It seems to me that you are taking reasonable action by by endeavouring to communicate by RT, or phone if you can ascertain the number. Even if such endeavours are unsuccessful there remains nothing to prevent you from departing and self-separating from other traffic. So, no dilemma.

I am based within a MATZ. We simply get airborne, keep a sharp look-out and, if we have a radio, make a courtesy call on the published MATZ frequency (response is variable) and remain outside their Rule 45 ATZ. In my view that is a reasonable course of action. It is certainly compliant. From my experience telephoning beforehand elicits responses of limited value eg. "Oh, just give us a call..."

If departing from a site within a Class D CTR an ATC clearance is required, obtainable by RT or landline.

[batninth]

My 1979 Pooleys lists every RAF station phone number at the back. I suppose there's a chance that the 2010 one would do the same.

Doh! You're absolutely right, 2010 Pooleys (in my flight bag behind my seat) has the number in.

Thank you for all of the responses, am feeling much happier now about what to do

batninth

[WetFeet]

As Talkdownman says, if you are outside the ATZ then you can fly in the MATZ without calling. Maybe not a good idea. Much better if they know about you.

Why not give them a ring, not just on the day, but arrange a meeting and set up some sort of arrangement with them? Safer all round.