Manchester/Liverpool Low Level Corridor?!

[twizzle]

Notam Manchester CTR

Have used the Manchester LLR many times. No hassle RT.

COM : Q)EGTT/QCSXX/IV/B/AE/000/095/5321N00216W015
FROM 06/10/23 00:01 TO 07/04/30 23:59 A2616/06
E)PILOTS FLYIMG WI 5NM OF THE MANCHESTER CTR AND MAINTAINING A
LISTENING WATCH ON MANCHESTER APCH FREQ 135.0MHZ MAY SELECT
TRANSPONDER CODE 7366 IN ORDER TO ALERT ATC TO THEIR PRESENCE. PILOTS
SQUAWKING 7366 WILL RECEIVE NO ATC SERVICE. THIS TRIAL DOES NOT
AFFECT NORMAL FIS SERVICE

[gingernut]

Nothing much to add. If you draw a line on your 1/4 mil from Leigh Flash to the Resevoir in Nantwich, there are a few distinctive landmarks visible. I haven't got my map with me, but from memory, distant landmarks useful for checking gross errors include the cooling towers at fiddlers ferry, Widnes, (to the West), the distinctive shape of the Frodsham Hills (W), Thelwall Viaduct (E), Marbury and Pickmere (E).

Nearer landmarks include Warrington, the distinctive shape of the rivers (?Weaver) and its relationship to the canals, the Salt Works at Northwhich, the sandbanks of Sandiway and Ashcroft Farm?Oulton Park racetrack.

Have a chat with the instructors at Barton, they're all very approachable.

PS just remembered the Croft interchange (junction of m62/m6) and the disused airfield off the M56 (Is it Stretton??) to the North of the corridor, and the radio telescope (?Calverly) to the south.

[avidflyer]

As an added aid if going south, you can dial up WHI on the ADF and aim slightly to the left! In practice the LLR is more feared than fearsome, after the first time you quickly realise that you cannot get lost in it as there are so many features to follow. Incidentally my preferred route to CAE is down the LLR then Wrexham and either direct over Snowdon or Ruthin - Llandudno if cloud prevents. A return trip via Point of Ayr, Seaforth and Wigan while talking to Liverpool will give a good spread of techniques to practice in the one trip.

[Ringway Flyer]

This is one we often do from MAN. (We need the LLR when on 06). When in the LLR it is beneficial to listen out on 135.000, and if you have 7366 up they know you're listening. FIS is available, but will be limited if it's busy. From the southern end of the route head for Wrecsam and then turn NW towards Ruthin. Follow the valley out to Abergele and then just follow the coast.... This will keep you clear of controlled airspace. If the cloud base is high enough, the direct route over the hills is good too. Good cakes and other grub at Caernarfon.

[Cat.S]

I've flown the LLR many times (I also live under it) and have usually been talking to LPL at the time, finding them very helpful. There's not nearly as much traffic as you'd think, but some of it (micro and ultralight) does not always show on their radar and a very good lookout is needed. Some of the traffic is also very interesting, having seen Spitfires, a P47 and the Catalina at various times in flight. 4km vis may be the legal minimum, but I wouldn't even consider less than 12km, especially as there may be something a lot faster than you coming in the opposite direction. It's also very bumpy with winds above 12 knots or when very hot, so a higher, northern route may be better if you have passengers who are worried by turbulence. (The same goes for the Menai Straits weekdays, when Valley keep you below 1500').

[FlyingForFun]

Some of the traffic is also very interesting, having seen Spitfires, a P47 and the Catalina at various times in flight

Hehehe, reminds me of an incident a couple of years ago.

I was on Blackpool's frequency at the time, and my boss was ferrying the company Cessna Citation somewhere. Can't remember exactly where he was going, but it was only a short hop, and the weather was good, so he decided to go VFR to avoid airways charges.

I heard him asking Blackpool ATC if it was possible for them to co-ordinate him through Manchester's airspace, and ATC asked him to stand by (presumably while they phoned Manchester). A couple of minutes later, ATC got back to him with the message that if he was VFR, Manchester would expect him to go down the LLR.

It was a little while before I got around to asking him about it. By the time I did, he'd almost forgotten the entire incident. He looked blank for a moment or two while he recalled it, then this look of horror appeared on his face. "Oh boy, yes, I remember it now. We got tangled up with a Pitts Special doing aeros in the Barton overhead. I'm certainly not going to be going down the LLR again in the Citation for a while!"

FFF
----------------

[Shaggy Sheep Driver]

I once met the BBMF in the LLR between Winsford and Northwich, me going south, them north. Manch contoller asked if I had them in sight (I did, Lancaster with a Hurricane on his right wing, Spitfire on left wing), "And BBMF", he said "do you have Sierra Lima in sight?". "Yes, we have the Chippy" came the muffled voice from the Lancaster.

As we got close, the Spitfire pulled up into a lovely barrell roll, before re-positioning on the Lanc's wing tip. One old RAF taildragger saluting another - sure made my day!

SSD

[machinehead]

There are a few things to add to what you good people have already said.
Firstly, be aware of the southern part of the corridor (around Ashcroft Farm/Oulton Park racing circuit) is one of the busiest joining/leaving points for VFR traffic operating through the Liverpool zone.
Secondly, someone mentioned seeing a B747 operating from Manchester while in the corridor. Liverpool controllers will vector traffic for ILS approach to runway 27 800 feet above the corridor. You will at some point have a lovely view of a B737 or A319 or bigger during you travels.
Third, be careful using the M6 southbound. As mentioned before the motorway goes into the Manchester zone fairly soon after you pick it up from Barton.
Finally, and most importantly, if you are unsure of your position or have any worries, TELL A CONTROLLER!! We may be busy but ultimately we are there to help everyone conduct their flights safely.