Volcanic ash cloud and Private / VFR flying (merged)
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 4,598
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From: Amsterdam
In fact the flight safety risk is probably lower due to the lack of other air traffic.

Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 927
Likes: 1
From: Sth Bucks UK
He should probably have just done it. Everyone's bound to have their feet on the desk and either zzzzing or reading or picking their nose......
In fact, now's the time for a low level pass under Tower Bridge!!

In fact, now's the time for a low level pass under Tower Bridge!!
Thread Starter

Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 1,160
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From: An ATC centre this side of the moon.
Mad Jock ...
Is that why they posted you to the desert??
Your comment could not be further from the truth, your a kind understanding pilot that us airtraffikers love to have to deal with....take care and keep the sand out of your sandals!!

Proberly because i am a stroppytwat




Joined: Feb 2001
Aviation Qualifications: ATPL
Posts: 539
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From: one dot low as usual
Cessna 172 asking for a cross country clearance via the Heathrow overhead at 1500 feet!
Was going to go up and ask for one of those myself today until I saw this thread. I'd planned a low approach and go around along the runway. Why not, perfect opportunity and keep those LHR tower people busy but clearly some jobsworth says no.
Was going to go up and ask for one of those myself today until I saw this thread. I'd planned a low approach and go around along the runway. Why not, perfect opportunity and keep those LHR tower people busy but clearly some jobsworth says no.

Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 965
Likes: 43
From: 30 West
Isn't it nice to see that one strange result of this event is that lots of light aeroplanes are out flying, doing unusual things and above all, communicating with airfields and requesting clearances without the threat or worry of infringement or mixing with busy traffic 
I should be in Florida at Sun n Fun but am still at home, waiting for the non existent communication from our beloved company
Get out there and fly - while you still can
I should be in Florida at Sun n Fun but am still at home, waiting for the non existent communication from our beloved company

Get out there and fly - while you still can
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 0
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From: UK,Twighlight Zone
Well I risked life and limb flying a rag and tube aircraft in this terrible aviation disaster. I was constantly checking to see if my windscreen was being sandblasted but I could not see through the scratches to be sure so I figured as this stuff was so abrasive it was probably going to vaporise the fabric on contact so chose to keep an eye on the wings through the open window. I am pleased to say the the aircraft is still as dirty as ever, non of the flies stuck to it were even disturbed and I am here to fight another day.
All I could see was blue Sky and at the end a pleasant sunset.
I will report back again in an hour so on this mornings flight.
All I could see was blue Sky and at the end a pleasant sunset.
I will report back again in an hour so on this mornings flight.

Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 2,681
Likes: 10
From: Just South of the last ice sheet
I'll be following Bose's example on Saturday and go and do some Austering. I'm particularly looking forward to asking for an East-West (runway direction) transit across my local international airport!
PS I wiped the bugs off Annie the Auster's wings and it increased the cruise speed by approximately 0.0000001 mph, a useful gain as I'm sure you'll agree.
PS I wiped the bugs off Annie the Auster's wings and it increased the cruise speed by approximately 0.0000001 mph, a useful gain as I'm sure you'll agree.

Joined: Feb 2001
Aviation Qualifications: PPL
Posts: 1,222
Likes: 2
From: Worcestershire, UK
That's about a 10% increase then LNS 
No flying for me this weekend, but only due to the fact that I'll be on an Adventure Training weekend in Snowdonia with the air cadets.

No flying for me this weekend, but only due to the fact that I'll be on an Adventure Training weekend in Snowdonia with the air cadets.
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 230
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From: NE England
Speaking of an over reaction, take a look at this....
www.flightradar24.com
It seems that not only the UK is closed but also France, Spain, Belgium, Netherlands, Germany, Denmark and (more obviously) all of Scandinavia!!
Is this really necessary?
www.flightradar24.com
It seems that not only the UK is closed but also France, Spain, Belgium, Netherlands, Germany, Denmark and (more obviously) all of Scandinavia!!
Is this really necessary?
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 0
Likes: 0
From: UK,Twighlight Zone
It's just emissions trading!! The Volcano has popped 100 years of aviation pollution into the atmosphere and it has to be traded off somehow.
I look forward to the golden days of steam, airships and sail.
I look forward to the golden days of steam, airships and sail.
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 121
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From: Netherlands
Is this really necessary?
Looking outside, it's a lovely day...

Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,113
Likes: 2
From: Iraq and other places
eharding, I love the Blade Runner quote; thats exactly what I was thinking when I read the steely-eyed super-pilot referring to these incredible things that we couldn't even imagine 
I intend to fly tomorrow, and assuming Schipol is still closed to the airlines, we'll be trying for a fly-by or even a touch-and-go!
I intend to fly tomorrow, and assuming Schipol is still closed to the airlines, we'll be trying for a fly-by or even a touch-and-go!
Thread Starter

Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 1,160
Likes: 0
From: An ATC centre this side of the moon.
Once again a cracking flying day here in Scotland......a very busy shift so far for me at Scottish Information....every man and his cat and dog now seem to be flying VFR of course!! .....just had a peek at the uk radar picture and the whole screen is covered in 7000 codes down south!!! 


Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 13,787
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From: EuroGA.org
It's bollox - at least at FL055 where I flew ~ 400nm today, or below. Vis is mostly unlimited, and there is no way for "dust" to be around with that kind of vis.
Higher up, possibly. I was just above the tops (below cloud it was rough as hell, as usual on a warm day) and there were some quite dark layers at maybe FL100 plus.
Apparently Farnborough were ordered to offer a BS only. Probably to stop exec jets operating VFR, contravening their company manual to always have a radar service when OCAS
Higher up, possibly. I was just above the tops (below cloud it was rough as hell, as usual on a warm day) and there were some quite dark layers at maybe FL100 plus.
Apparently Farnborough were ordered to offer a BS only. Probably to stop exec jets operating VFR, contravening their company manual to always have a radar service when OCAS
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,434
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From: Scotland
Just back from risking life & limb flying over east Fife in beautiful sunshine.
A bit hazy higher up but the windscreen is still transparent, all the paint & flies still stuck to the a/c. We must have been incredibly lucky to have survived such horrendous meteorological conditions.
A bit hazy higher up but the windscreen is still transparent, all the paint & flies still stuck to the a/c. We must have been incredibly lucky to have survived such horrendous meteorological conditions.
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 691
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From: Yorkshire
That would be a great experience, I like this video that I found a couple of years ago on youtube-
YouTube - 5 Airports 1 Flight



