Volcanic ash cloud and Private / VFR flying (merged)
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Under the clag EGKA
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Airpolice
First registered in December so not exactly old. The dust was obviously the same as on the windscreen. I have time on my hands so I thought I'd take a look.
How much of it is new?
Effortless, when was the filter previously inspected?
Effortless, when was the filter previously inspected?
Join Date: Apr 2008
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With most of the UK airspace closed to IFR flight today due the volcanic ash cloud
But something I struggle to understand. I would have thought volcanic ash reduces visibility, therefore one might opt to fly airways-IFR to get some some kind of separation from any other aircraft, assuming the pilot knows full well of his responsibilities as PIC, and the limitations and capabilities of his aircraft for the given weather environment that he is going to fly within.
If this airspace is closed to IFR, it means we must fly VFR or fly IFR OCAS, but I'm told Farnborough are not offering anything more than a Basic Service at present.
Therefore is it a:
1) Just fly at your own risk if you can't see what's up ahead and/or
2) ATC does not want to take the risk of vectoring you into ash (even though the weather radars might provide some info on where that ash might be)?
Or is there something else I'm missing here?
Join Date: Jan 2005
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Airspace over Gatwick busy / Tiger Club invades
Quiz: Spot the aircraft - how many can you see in the air?
Photo courtesy of Richard Foorde.
I count:
More photos & a few line write up
OC619
P.S. I missed it as my group partner had the Cub (form which the photos were taken).
Photo courtesy of Richard Foorde.
I count:
- 3 Stampes
- 3 Tiger Moths
- 3 Turbs
- 1 Casa Jungmann
- 1 Pulsar
More photos & a few line write up
OC619
P.S. I missed it as my group partner had the Cub (form which the photos were taken).
Join Date: Feb 2007
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ATC does not want to take the risk of vectoring you into ash (even though the weather radars might provide some info on where that ash might be)?
Weather radar detects moisture, not VA. So weather radar (either ground-based or on-board aircraft) is useless in detecting the ash plume. The only way anybody can know where the ash is, is the rather coarse prediction of the VAAC London. That, plus actual observations/measurements by aircraft in-flight.
Since the amount of proper environmental monitoring aircraft is rather low for such a vast area, the various CAAs and Met offices have now started to solicit input in the form of Pireps from pilots who have flown. With the current flight restrictions, that comes down to us GA.
If this airspace is closed to IFR, it means we must fly VFR or fly IFR OCAS
Join Date: May 2001
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Why don't they open LHR up to GA while everything is shut down? Charge £20 for a stop and go, proceeds to go to charity, and I bet everyone on here would zip in just to get EGLL in the logbook...I would 
Do the same with Gatwick and you could do a EGLL to EGGatwick (dunno the code ) cross country! When will this EVER be likely again?
Do the same with Gatwick and you could do a EGLL to EGGatwick (dunno the code ) cross country! When will this EVER be likely again?
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Los Angeles, USA
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How to get the stranded home in less than a day.
CAA/Government gives PPL holders and GA aircraft owners a time limited exemption and allows them to charge for carrying passengers. Job done.
I got a free landing and lunch at Le Bourget on the weekend of International women's day. Lots of Cessnas, Pa 2x, one Stampe and my Cub. VFR transit of Paris thrown in. 
Didn't even need to stop the commercial stuff for us.
Didn't even need to stop the commercial stuff for us.
Join Date: Oct 2009
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Fisbangwollop, Not sure if it was your good self or your colleagues, but we had the good fortune of chatting to Scottish on several occasions over the past few days as we circumnavigated the UK.
An excellent service last Wednesday as we headed down the east coast from Dundee to Lincolnshire followed by an equally good service on Friday as we went back up the west coat of England and across to Belfast. Then, after 2 days on the ground due to the cold front passing through, another excellent service today as we tried to get from Belfast to Stornoway, but ended up in Oban (what a great place with very friendly people - highly recomend a visit!) for a while due to that damned weather blocking our route again.
Thanks to all at Scottish, a superb, helpful and very friendly service on all occasions.
From the 3 adventures aboard G-DC
An excellent service last Wednesday as we headed down the east coast from Dundee to Lincolnshire followed by an equally good service on Friday as we went back up the west coat of England and across to Belfast. Then, after 2 days on the ground due to the cold front passing through, another excellent service today as we tried to get from Belfast to Stornoway, but ended up in Oban (what a great place with very friendly people - highly recomend a visit!) for a while due to that damned weather blocking our route again.
Thanks to all at Scottish, a superb, helpful and very friendly service on all occasions.
From the 3 adventures aboard G-DC
Join Date: Aug 2009
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Loads of great photos out there............
are there any good videos of all these "touch and goes"??
Photos: Boeing 757-... Aircraft Pictures | Airliners.net
are there any good videos of all these "touch and goes"??
Photos: Boeing 757-... Aircraft Pictures | Airliners.net
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: An ATC centre this side of the moon.
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MFC FLY..
Yes could have been me as just done 6 duty days from Wednesday....interesting few days as I was about the only sector in the ops room chatting to lots of VFR traffic so fun for me to......now off on leave to build my son's house in Newcastle...
Fisbangwollop, Not sure if it was your good self or your colleagues, but we had the good fortune of chatting to Scottish on several occasions over the past few days as we circumnavigated the UK.
Join Date: Sep 2009
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Exactly!
What is the big deal about landing at Bristol???????? Or even landing at Heathrow........Come on guys.....Have on your logbook? O well....You'll feel you are a great pilot after that!