Flying overhead a UK airfield

[Whopity]

London can give you a flight information service

And what use is that when flying over an airfield?

[felixthecat]

He was talking about during the rest of the route as well as just over the airfield.

[SlipSlider]

You can use the LARS service, they are good and give you a radar advisory service.

London can give you a flight information service

RemotecUK, if you are a current student, as you imply, you should still be aware that neither of the above statements are correct - since 12th March 2009 neither RAS nor FIS exist as Air Traffic Services Outside Controlled Airspace.

Basic, Traffic, Deconfliction, Procedural are the only ATSOCAS services available in the UK. The last two imply acceptance by the pilot of possible routing in to IMC / IFR, which I infer would not apply in your case, if you are indeed a student. The first two have limited function in what they can provide to the user. An AFIS may have some limited knowledge of local traffic, but London Information on a busy weekend is not really worthwhile in your proposed circumstances, and is best left for those who really need the service.

It is probably heresy to say this on here, but you do not actually need to be in radio contact with a ground station all the time ....

[Whopity]

but you do not actually need to be in radio contact with a ground station all the time ....

indeed, it can often be more useful to listen rather than talk unnecessarily.

[mrmum]

RemotecUK
You'd probably get better quailty, specific answers/advice if you gave us some actual airfield names for "A" and "B".

[felixthecat]

SlipSlider thanks for the info, you learn something everyday Though I agree that you don't have to always be in contact, I think if a service is available you should take it, it gives you one more bit of information and also ATC more information about you to build their picture.

[Whopity]

I think if a service is available you should take it, it gives you one more bit of information

But you must balance that with whether the information is useful, or whether you are just increasing the workload of the service provider without contributing anything. I recall standing in the tower of a well known UK airfield for 20 minutes during which time they received about 20 calls from aircraft that had nothing to do with that airfield, only one was relevant, the overflyer! The others gave nothing and received nothing useful.

[stevelup]

Originally Posted by felixthecat

SlipSlider thanks for the info, you learn something everyday

These changes were made over two years ago!

[englishal]

Depends...If I am well above the airfield and routing A to B talking to someone else, I wouldn't bother talking to an A/G airfield. If I am not, I might give them a call just to let them know I'll be passing overhead.

[felixthecat]

That it was SteveLup so I am glad to have found out now I don't tend to do much flying in uncontrolled airspace.

Whopity, I agree that if you are miles away or thousands of feet above an area there is little point but still think if you are close to an area could be affected by that areas traffic or could affect that areas traffic you should call them.

[memories of px]

tell us where aerodrome B is and we can be more helpful

[memories of px]

quote:- It is probably heresy to say this on here, but you do not actually need to be in radio contact with a ground station all the time ....

ooh you cynic! do you mean they cant help you getting your engine restarted should it fail in flight????

[Kolibear]

Call them up!

Airfields attract aircraft like honey attracts bees.

The guy on the ground won't be that interested, the student flying circuits at 1000' won't be interested & the pilot just taking off won't be interested either.

But the pilot coming in the opposite direction to you also at 3000' will be very interested in your call.

You may be addressing the controller, but you are passing information to everyone else on frequency.

[MrAverage]

Why not ask your favorite instructor for some groundschool relevant to and in advance of the flight in question? He/she should have good knowledge of the route and the best radio plan for the route. Trying to get advice on this site requires much careful filtering. The online Cambridge Dictionary definition of careful is particularly apt here.

[OpenCirrus619]

One last thing to think about if planning to overfly airfields....

You need to check:

• NOTAMS: A couple of years ago I heard a number of people "receiving guidance" after overflying an airfield which had a NOTAM, well above 2000' agl, notifying of aerobatic activity
• Parachuting: You won't be popular if you overfly an airfield where there is regular parachuting. For example at Lashenden they are active parachuting 7 days a week - often dropping from 10,000'+

With respect to the NOTAMs they are often promulgated as "Airfield" NOTAMS - so don't show up in the en-route nav warnings.

OC619

[rarelyathome]

If the airfield isn't busy you could find somebody doing aeros in the overhead whether NOTAMed or not. I would always call giving intentions as a matter of good airmanship.