Visiting Compton Abbas - Routing?
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Visiting Compton Abbas - Routing?
I'm hoping to visit Compton Abbas from Duxford soon, but not sure what routing would be best.
So far I have....
DCT BKY DCT BPK DCT EGTB
and then I'm stuck. I'm just not sure of the best way to route through the mish-mash of danger areas, ATZ's and parachute dropping sites
Any suggestions?
So far I have....
DCT BKY DCT BPK DCT EGTB
and then I'm stuck. I'm just not sure of the best way to route through the mish-mash of danger areas, ATZ's and parachute dropping sites
Any suggestions?
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You don't say if it's a week day or a weekend.
If you can get above 3407 feet, you can just go over the top of the Boscombe CMATZ. If you route TB->Thruxton->Boscombe, you will remain clear of the danger areas.
If it's a week day, Boscombe will provide a DACS if appropriate, and probably a MATZ penetration, though they may not let you into their ATZ.
I did a similar routing yesterday. Blackbushe->Thruxton->Boscombe Down->westward. I was actually at FL60 once clear of Basingstoke, so didn't have to talk to anyone. But had a nice chat with a chappy in a helicopter operating somewhere close to Boscombe! :-)
If you can get above 3407 feet, you can just go over the top of the Boscombe CMATZ. If you route TB->Thruxton->Boscombe, you will remain clear of the danger areas.
If it's a week day, Boscombe will provide a DACS if appropriate, and probably a MATZ penetration, though they may not let you into their ATZ.
I did a similar routing yesterday. Blackbushe->Thruxton->Boscombe Down->westward. I was actually at FL60 once clear of Basingstoke, so didn't have to talk to anyone. But had a nice chat with a chappy in a helicopter operating somewhere close to Boscombe! :-)
I've done EGHA to EGSU and back several times during the week and usually route Chilbolton, CPT, WCO, Woburn to Duxford. It requires MATZ penetration at Middle Wallop and Benson but this is not usually a problem.
At a weekend I would route direct over Boscombe and Thruxton to cut the corner a bit.
At a weekend I would route direct over Boscombe and Thruxton to cut the corner a bit.
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If you want to make it even simpler, go North of the Salisbury Plain Danger Areas (via CPT if you want) and hang a left at the Westbury White Horse.
Admittedly that puts about 10nm on your PLOG, and the training/experience benefit is reduced, but the route has slightly fewer complications.
How about going one way and returning the other?
Admittedly that puts about 10nm on your PLOG, and the training/experience benefit is reduced, but the route has slightly fewer complications.
How about going one way and returning the other?
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SFCC - Because people can show off how cool they are by listing a route as if they're filling in a flight plan, it makes them look big and clever.....
Be aware that Boscombe Down is generally still active at the weekends, and although you'll probably be given a blanket MATZ penetration (although remaining clear of the ATZ), you will still find a relatively high traffic density around that area - Tutors from the UAS/AEF at Boscombe and GA from Old Sarum, Thruxton, and Boscombe, as well as all the other people en-route to Compton Abbas!
If it's your first time visiting Compton Abbas I'd definately recommend approaching from the North, as it's notoriously difficult to identify from the South, despite the strobe!
Be aware that Boscombe Down is generally still active at the weekends, and although you'll probably be given a blanket MATZ penetration (although remaining clear of the ATZ), you will still find a relatively high traffic density around that area - Tutors from the UAS/AEF at Boscombe and GA from Old Sarum, Thruxton, and Boscombe, as well as all the other people en-route to Compton Abbas!
If it's your first time visiting Compton Abbas I'd definately recommend approaching from the North, as it's notoriously difficult to identify from the South, despite the strobe!
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I would steer clear of the two beacons. That gap between Heathrow, Luton and Stansted can be very congested and I rather suspect that a lot of people hop VOR to VOR...with the low class A ceiling above you it is potentially a collision point. Ask Luton for a zone transit...it means you don't have to worry about infringing and you'll be safer inside CAS.
If the weather is good enough to go over Boscombe MATZ then do...then just route direct to Compton Abbas from there. If you can't go through the overhead of either Boscombe or Middle Wallop then most people route via Chilbolton...which is easy to identify because there is a satellite dish there.
There is a lot traffic in the Boscombe area...from the four busy airfields inside the CMATZ but Boscombe (126.7) are used to dealing with it.
Just watch out for Apaches hiding behind hills!
If at the weekend route through Thruxton overhead, remain above Boscombe ATZ because it might be active.
If the weather is good enough to go over Boscombe MATZ then do...then just route direct to Compton Abbas from there. If you can't go through the overhead of either Boscombe or Middle Wallop then most people route via Chilbolton...which is easy to identify because there is a satellite dish there.
There is a lot traffic in the Boscombe area...from the four busy airfields inside the CMATZ but Boscombe (126.7) are used to dealing with it.
Just watch out for Apaches hiding behind hills!
If at the weekend route through Thruxton overhead, remain above Boscombe ATZ because it might be active.
Last edited by Contacttower; 10th Feb 2008 at 20:10.
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Because people can show off how cool they are by listing a route as if they're filling in a flight plan, it makes them look big and clever.....
If you are indeed a 'total beginner', what is the fascination with going beacon to beacon?
Thanks for the advice about Chilbolton! Just looked on Google Earth and looks like it would make a good turning point.
If you want to make it even simpler, go North of the Salisbury Plain Danger Areas (via CPT if you want) and hang a left at the Westbury White Horse.
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Doesn't this bring you a bit close to Keevil?
Routing north of Salisbury plain isn't necessary, it would be much quicker to go through the Boscombe MATZ.
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So why not just say Duxford - Barkway - Brookman's Park - Booker ?
2) I think everyone realises that BKY is the VOR - BRAVO KILO YANKEE and don't need it spelled out to them. It also makes it clear that my intended route is via the radio aid "Barkway" and not the place "Barkway".
I think your remarks are rather frivolous. It explained clearly what my intention was. And considering that this is the "Professional Pilots Rumour Network", anyone with a valid contribution to this thread would know exactly what it meant.
Thanks for your help everyone
I think this thread is done now!
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Yes, most people reading this will know what you mean (although may have to look up the ICAO identifier for Booker), but there's no need. Especially for the 'DCT' malarkey. Be honest - you were trying to show off your aeronautical jargon, which just wasn't called for. Flightplan - yes, here - no. Tool.
If you're that much of a professional pilot you should be easily capable of coming up with your own damn route. If you really wanted to save time you'd just pick your own route, hardly rocket science me old.
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If you're that much of a professional pilot you should be easily capable of coming up with your own damn route.
Be honest - you were trying to show off your aeronautical jargon, which just wasn't called for.
Why do you have such a bee in your bonnet about this. Quite funny really! 
Last edited by TotalBeginner; 10th Feb 2008 at 21:56.
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ok - so when you have got in the circuit at compton - prepare yourself for a grass strip landing, in that, expect a few bounces, expect a little curlover from the tree's but nothing at all to worry about and expect to see some very lovely young ladies and a very, very busy restaurant..... and whilst your down here why not grab one of us, to show you round down on the jurassic coast - including lulworth cove, old harry rocks and brownsea island etc....
it would be rude to come all the way from dux down to compers and not do the local sights on the coast...... - but dont ask for me unless you want to do it low level - within rule 5 of course - (just - ish) 
it would be rude to come all the way from dux down to compers and not do the local sights on the coast......
- but dont ask for me unless you want to do it low level - within rule 5 of course - (just - ish)
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SFCC - Because people can show off how cool they are by listing a route as if they're filling in a flight plan, it makes them look big and clever.....
)...I'd go through Boscombe, they always give a Matz penetration in my experience, and at the weekend there is no MATZ. Watch out for GA north of Old Sarum on the weekend, and probably aerobatic up to 5k or so...During the week traffic arriving at OS join at Alderbury VRP at about 1000'. Chilbolton is an easy VRP due to the big radio telescope there.
If you're going to look at Lulworth cove give Plymouth Ops a call before you go (number on the chart) and simply ask them if D026 and the one next to it (Else you may get an SBS bullet through your wing
) are hot or cold - can also ask them about the Lyme Bay DA's if you want to go all the way around Portland. If they are cold, which they normally will be on the weekend and often during the week - (hint, Thursdays they are often hot) you can fly right along the Jurrasic Coast at 500'....Good fun, but watch for the SAR chopper from Portland which is sometimes doing the same (but lower) and paragliders off "White Nothe" (stay a little bit offshore).Compton Abbas is great, good food, though the runway can occasionally be like a plowed field (or it used to be). Nice airfield though, and a great stop for lunch. Some nice pubs in Shaftsbury too
Last edited by englishal; 11th Feb 2008 at 04:14.
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Al - Wasn't objecting to him backing up his nav with navaids (although I'd still say it smacks of pretty poor basic teaching if you're doing it on a ginners day), my issue was with listing the route like a flightplan - beacon idents, ICAO codes, and 'DCT's. Just seems rather pathetic to me!
TB - Agree with you about professionalism, but I don't think listing a VFR route as if you're filling in a flightplan makes you 'professional'!
TB - Agree with you about professionalism, but I don't think listing a VFR route as if you're filling in a flightplan makes you 'professional'!
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Just seems rather pathetic to me!
Honestly Knight Paladin I don't really see your point.