Entering MATZ and ATZ on weekend
 

Hi All

I wanted to ask some advice on entering a MATZ and their ATZ during weekends.

Normally ATC at RAF stations are closed on a weekend, so you wouldn't get a response if calling them for a MATZ penetration. However, would you advise staying on their frequency and announcing your intentions or after determining no ones there would you change back to your previous frequency and continue into the MATZ?

This happened to me on a flight a few months back when I flew over Wattisham and I stayed on their frequency but remained clear of their ATZ.

What would you do / advise?

Cheers

Rob

civilian aircraft do not need permission to enter MATZ's
But you must remain clear of any ATZ unless you have permission to enter from the appropriate ATC unit

In any case, the MATZ only 'exists' when the station is open for operational flying, but as welkyboy says, the atz is in operation (usually) 24/7. However beware; many military airfields host flying when the station is not operational and ATC are not on duty; this can be light aircraft, winch launched gliding or SLMG.
It's generally accepted that if you make 3 calls on the notified frequency with no reply, the MATZ is not active. If you then try 122.1 (NATO common and you MUST mention the station you're calling), it's possible you might get a reply as some military airfields use this as an A/G frequency when ATC is not operating.

Like everyone has said already, you don't have to avoid the MATZ, only the ATZ - and it's advisable to make blind transmissions on the published Zone frequency....

However, some stations operate tower only at weekends (those with air experience flights etc). If you know you are going to fly through a MATZ, look up the Tower VHF and if you get no response on the Zone Freq, try giving them a shout... You never know, you may even get a clearance through the ATZ ;)

It's certainly the case at Benson, and used to be the case at Coningsby and Odiham.

Happy flying :)

Same for Boscombe too, but Odiham usually use 122.1 when ATC are closed.

Give their atc a buzz on the landline during the week and ask if there are any special procedures they have or what frequency you'd like them on. We get it sometimes during the week from the GA community but are willing to help where we can.