Stokenchurch abolished: all Wycombe pilots now officially lost (Merged)
Not so N, but still FG
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Stokenchurch abolished: all Wycombe pilots now officially lost
I have heard it rumoured that the fun-loving chart dudes at the CAA have left Stokenchurch Mast (west of Booker, north east of Benson) off the new Southern England half mil chart. I haven't yet got a copy of the chart. Is this dastardly rumour true? Has one of the blue aeroplanes saved them the trouble by crashing into it?
Suggestions on a postcard: Which prominent nav feature/great big enormous dangerous thing would you most like to see left off your chart?
Suggestions on a postcard: Which prominent nav feature/great big enormous dangerous thing would you most like to see left off your chart?
Carbonfibre-based lifeform
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FNG,
It is indeed true. I've just checked the new chart I bought at the London show this weekend and the mast is missing.
A few seconds work with my permanent marker has now restored it to my copy.
It is indeed true. I've just checked the new chart I bought at the London show this weekend and the mast is missing.
A few seconds work with my permanent marker has now restored it to my copy.
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They'll get used to it
. Years ago, Barton power station was demolished. It was rumoured that some local pilots wouldn't be able to find base leg for 27 anymore. But they did - albeit using 'bomber' circuits
.
Mind you, I don't know what will happen if they ever drain and fill in Leigh Flash........
As for an answer to the original question..... all controlled airspace.
SSD
. Years ago, Barton power station was demolished. It was rumoured that some local pilots wouldn't be able to find base leg for 27 anymore. But they did - albeit using 'bomber' circuits .Mind you, I don't know what will happen if they ever drain and fill in Leigh Flash........
As for an answer to the original question..... all controlled airspace.
SSD
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Yep its gone from the chart but surely unmistakable from the air plus the small matter of the wee road leading directly to the threshold...
But why omit one of the true landmarks in the region particularly with the London zone so close by?
But why omit one of the true landmarks in the region particularly with the London zone so close by?
Well, it was still there when I was last aviating last week.
On what grounds has it been removed - is it due to be blown-up or is it a mistook on the map?
I'm sure we'll still call "Stokenchurch for re-join" when coming from that direction whether the mast is still there or not!
Oh, and this Wycombe pilot never gets lost (or even temporarily unaware of my position)....I thank you
On what grounds has it been removed - is it due to be blown-up or is it a mistook on the map?
I'm sure we'll still call "Stokenchurch for re-join" when coming from that direction whether the mast is still there or not!
Oh, and this Wycombe pilot never gets lost (or even temporarily unaware of my position)....I thank you
Not so N, but still FG
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Very good idea, Aerbabe.
By the way, the official colouring-in book join the dots chart amendment website hasn't put it back on yet (just some blah about the top of the TMA going from FL lots to FL bazillion, or something)
By the way, the official colouring-in book join the dots chart amendment website hasn't put it back on yet (just some blah about the top of the TMA going from FL lots to FL bazillion, or something)
Not so N, but still FG
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Yesterday I obtained the new chart and amused myself by drawing the mast back on in splodgy blue pen, but a pilot who had just flown to Princes Risborough assured me that he saw no mast. Perhaps it is retractable in times of urgency, like Marineville in Stingray, in which case, things must be worse than we thought.
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I don't suppose the map makers will be providing a correct copy with offending mast marked on it free of charge due to their oversight?? No, though not.
You really do wonder what these various agencies do and why they don't coordinate. Last year they produced a new 1:500,000 Southern Edition about a week before several important frequency changes, including that of Brize Radar from 134.3 to 124.27. I appreciate that there is a point at which the thing has to go to print and therefore not available for amendment, but they must know that these changes are coming and can plan publication to ensure the longest validity possible of information.
Also, how can you just 'lose' or forget a symbol for the highest obstacle within 30nm which has been there for years? It's not a new feature which got omitted. It is even the reason for the MSA in that sector on the SID/STAR charts for Heathrow, for heaven's sake!!
You really do wonder what these various agencies do and why they don't coordinate. Last year they produced a new 1:500,000 Southern Edition about a week before several important frequency changes, including that of Brize Radar from 134.3 to 124.27. I appreciate that there is a point at which the thing has to go to print and therefore not available for amendment, but they must know that these changes are coming and can plan publication to ensure the longest validity possible of information.
Also, how can you just 'lose' or forget a symbol for the highest obstacle within 30nm which has been there for years? It's not a new feature which got omitted. It is even the reason for the MSA in that sector on the SID/STAR charts for Heathrow, for heaven's sake!!
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Perhaps they had to leave it off to make up for last year when they included some masts in Reading that didn't exist !!
Its a good job that Wycombe don't use it as an unofficial VRP otherwise calls to visiting aircraft could be quite interesting: " G-ABCD report pasing the Stokenchurch mast - its the very big one that isn't maked on your map"
Interstingly if you ever go night flying in the vacinity of Wycombe, the brightly lit mast that you see on the edge of the Chilterns ISN'T the Stokenchurch mast - its another smaller tower at Christmas Common about 8 miles south. The lights on the Stokenchurch mast aren't very bright
Brooklands
Its a good job that Wycombe don't use it as an unofficial VRP otherwise calls to visiting aircraft could be quite interesting: " G-ABCD report pasing the Stokenchurch mast - its the very big one that isn't maked on your map"
Interstingly if you ever go night flying in the vacinity of Wycombe, the brightly lit mast that you see on the edge of the Chilterns ISN'T the Stokenchurch mast - its another smaller tower at Christmas Common about 8 miles south. The lights on the Stokenchurch mast aren't very bright
Brooklands
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Christmas Common is only a mile or two south of Stokenchurch (If you went eight miles you'd practically be in Henley). The small mast with the lights on is close to the most excellent Fox pub, a fine place to refresh after kite flying on breezy Watlington Hill.
As for the big mast, I can confirm that it was still visible through the grey haze this afternoon as I passed en route to stonk my mum's house in Thame.
As for the big mast, I can confirm that it was still visible through the grey haze this afternoon as I passed en route to stonk my mum's house in Thame.
Last edited by FNG; 21st Apr 2004 at 07:24.
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I too went to see if it was still there this afternoon. Well OK, I was on a navex but admit to having too been intrigued by its absence from the chart.
Incidentally, whoever it was that was coming from our left, same height, on a Northerly track impressed me by not only turning to pass behind but by doing so obviously enough that I knew we'd been seen. If it were you, Mr FNG, I thank you.
Incidentally, whoever it was that was coming from our left, same height, on a Northerly track impressed me by not only turning to pass behind but by doing so obviously enough that I knew we'd been seen. If it were you, Mr FNG, I thank you.
Not so N, but still FG
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Could have been me, but apart from a Waltham-based Pitts I only saw a couple of high-winged aircraft which were quite a bit lower than I was at the time. I was in a plain white Cap 10.
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I sent the card below to the VFR Charts Editor at the CAA
He is feeling suitably abject and has published a chart amendment here
Given the length of their relationship I suspect the mast might be further offended by being described as a new single unlit Obstacle
Mike
He is feeling suitably abject and has published a chart amendment here
Given the length of their relationship I suspect the mast might be further offended by being described as a new single unlit Obstacle
Mike