To file a VFR flight plan or not
Avoid imitations
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I'm getting the impression that its a waste of time filing a flight plan!
If anyone does have any tips on how to successfully negotiate:
Doncaster North - South
EMA the eastern edge of
LTN (can one depend on a corridor crossing?)
If anyone does have any tips on how to successfully negotiate:
Doncaster North - South
EMA the eastern edge of
LTN (can one depend on a corridor crossing?)
EGCN's airspace crossing, already covered; however, to request 15 minutes in advance is a bit OTT, in my book.
EMA? Either route via the Long Eaton Lane (Long Eaton to Shepshed via the M1, normally given at 1500 feet) or avoid the airspace to the east. Caution: Langar (Parachuting), Syerston (gliders) and Nottingham/Tollerton are usually operating.
LTN? Probably your best plan for destination Elstree International (Time Warp City) is to go round to the west of the zone, under the CTA (i.e. below 2400 feet). They willl sometimes accept a crossing but you may be asked to route to ground features and hold; not easy if you aren't familiar with them and / or quite sharp on your spot navigation. Use Farnborough North (132.8) for a Basic or Traffic service when routing around. They possibly won't hear you until somewhere around Milton Keynes.
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Thanks everyone for you input especially 7 of 9 and shytorque- some great tips which I fully intend to utilise. 
I think i'll file a flight plan one way and try zone crossings and not file for the return and see what happens!
I realise that the traffic load will affect the 'results' but 'ill report back when the experiment is complete.
I think i'll file a flight plan one way and try zone crossings and not file for the return and see what happens!
I realise that the traffic load will affect the 'results' but 'ill report back when the experiment is complete.
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We had VFR flight plans for all legs, and without exception, the ATC service from Holland, Belgium, Switzerland, France, Italy, and Tunisia was light-years ahead of anything provided in the UK.
I could see that going down well in the UK with the GA community!
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We had VFR flight plans for all legs, and without exception, the ATC service from Holland, Belgium, Switzerland, France, Italy, and Tunisia was light-years ahead of anything provided in the UK.
Well, they pretty much all knew we were coming from our flight plan or the previous ATC service and had our details, gave us a squawk and followed us on radar, handed us over to our next frequency, arranged clearance through some of the airspace we needed, called out traffic...everything that you'd expect really from a modern ATC service. All I've ever received in the UK is London Info - which I found a big waste of time.
I don't particularly care about the lack of ATC for VFR GA in the UK, as I am perfectly happy without it; but it did seem that these countries had rather more capability.
I don't particularly care about the lack of ATC for VFR GA in the UK, as I am perfectly happy without it; but it did seem that these countries had rather more capability.
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Well, they pretty much all knew we were coming from our flight plan or the previous ATC service and had our details, gave us a squawk and followed us on radar, handed us over to our next frequency, arranged clearance through some of the airspace we needed, called out traffic...everything that you'd expect really from a modern ATC service. All I've ever received in the UK is London Info - which I found a big waste of time.
London Info doesn't work controlled airspace.
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I'm interested by this as I'm planning a flight from Benson to Carlisle in October and wondering if it can be done at all IFR OCAS (as I'm only IMC rated). If not and it has to be VFR then it greatly reduces the chances of making the trip at that time of year and I really don't want to drive all that way.
There seem to be a number of problems...
1. routing - thinking of DTY - TNT (probably with a dogleg to avoid some of East Midlands though they've been fine for transit before) - POL - direct. Alternative would be DTY - GAM - POL - dct, or even SWB - west over the sea (barmy to spend so much time over water unnecessarily, though).
2. VOR coverage. I'll have GPS as backup but don't have BRNAV GPS so I need to calculate whether I will pick up TLA before I lose POL, for example (need to get the books out as I've not done that sort of calculation since the IMCR!). There's a lot of flight over the Lakes.
3. clearances - not had any problems with getting class D clearances VFR before but for example, what are the chances of getting a clearance IFR TNT - POL at MSA of 3400ft? It's through the corner of the Manchester class D CTR which tops out at 3500 (where there is class A).
4. alternate will probably have to be Newcastle - where I gather the landing/handling is a bit painful...
5. flight plan - probably WILL file this due to the amount of time spent over inhospitable terrain.
Anyone done this IFR OCAS? It's making me think wistfully of getting an IR...
Tim
(edited to add - and all this depends on the freezing level anyway... MSA over the lakes will be up to 3700...)
There seem to be a number of problems...
1. routing - thinking of DTY - TNT (probably with a dogleg to avoid some of East Midlands though they've been fine for transit before) - POL - direct. Alternative would be DTY - GAM - POL - dct, or even SWB - west over the sea (barmy to spend so much time over water unnecessarily, though).
2. VOR coverage. I'll have GPS as backup but don't have BRNAV GPS so I need to calculate whether I will pick up TLA before I lose POL, for example (need to get the books out as I've not done that sort of calculation since the IMCR!). There's a lot of flight over the Lakes.
3. clearances - not had any problems with getting class D clearances VFR before but for example, what are the chances of getting a clearance IFR TNT - POL at MSA of 3400ft? It's through the corner of the Manchester class D CTR which tops out at 3500 (where there is class A).
4. alternate will probably have to be Newcastle - where I gather the landing/handling is a bit painful...
5. flight plan - probably WILL file this due to the amount of time spent over inhospitable terrain.
Anyone done this IFR OCAS? It's making me think wistfully of getting an IR...
Tim
(edited to add - and all this depends on the freezing level anyway... MSA over the lakes will be up to 3700...)
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Last week I flew our club DA40 from Rotterdam to Southern Tunisia and back. We had VFR flight plans for all legs, and without exception, the ATC service from Holland, Belgium, Switzerland, France, Italy, and Tunisia was light-years ahead of anything provided in the UK.
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It is much better to ask for a clearance. Not that many people do, and when you're in class D the ATCO may well keep an eye on you (although he has no legal need to give you traffic info). In my opinion much safer than joining the countless other aircraft skirting round the corner of a CTR at similar levels to stay below a block of class A.
