planning my qualifying cross country
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planning my qualifying cross country
hello all,
ive got my solo x country to do in a month weather permitting.
has anyone flown the route tatenhill-gloucester-leicester-tatenhill?
im a bit concerned about the leg from leicester to tatenhill as a straight line would take me very close to east mids controlled airspace and i dont really fancy a telling off from ATC as its right on the edge of my planned route.
what would you do? descend to say 1,300ft to stay below or just head for the lichfield NDB and make another leg?
if im off track to the east of swadlincote then id be in trouble as id have to be pretty much spot on with the route
im sure loads of fellow aviators have done this route?
what do you advise?
ive got my solo x country to do in a month weather permitting.
has anyone flown the route tatenhill-gloucester-leicester-tatenhill?
im a bit concerned about the leg from leicester to tatenhill as a straight line would take me very close to east mids controlled airspace and i dont really fancy a telling off from ATC as its right on the edge of my planned route.
what would you do? descend to say 1,300ft to stay below or just head for the lichfield NDB and make another leg?
if im off track to the east of swadlincote then id be in trouble as id have to be pretty much spot on with the route
im sure loads of fellow aviators have done this route?
what do you advise?
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Not sure how old the map is you're looking at. Lichfield NDB is long gone.
Routing via the Measham VRP would keep you clear, I'm not much of a fan of low level nav unless its unavoidable.
Presumably the rest of your route keeps you clear of the Birmingham CTR, because it looks to me like Tatenhill -> Glos takes you into their CTR, and the leg Gloucester to Leicester takes you inside the 1500' part of the Birmingham CTA....
Routing via the Measham VRP would keep you clear, I'm not much of a fan of low level nav unless its unavoidable.
Presumably the rest of your route keeps you clear of the Birmingham CTR, because it looks to me like Tatenhill -> Glos takes you into their CTR, and the leg Gloucester to Leicester takes you inside the 1500' part of the Birmingham CTA....
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I have a current half mill map it shows the lichfield NDB on there but as we know it's not working !! When was it closed down why does the map still depict it and yes I'll have a chat with woody I'm sure he will advise just wanted some feedback thanks guys
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As glush said, that routing takes you right through the CTR. It's also three miles short of the minimum distance!
Why don't you route past Halfpenny Green? That'll take you well clear of the lower parts of the CTA and they have a working NDB.
For the Gloucester to Leicester leg, you could route via Draycott Water.
Stick your various routes into SkyDemon Light and experiment that way.
You could ask Birmingham for transits, and they may well give them to you, but in my opinion, messing around with uncertainties on your QXC is not a good plan.
Why don't you route past Halfpenny Green? That'll take you well clear of the lower parts of the CTA and they have a working NDB.
For the Gloucester to Leicester leg, you could route via Draycott Water.
Stick your various routes into SkyDemon Light and experiment that way.
You could ask Birmingham for transits, and they may well give them to you, but in my opinion, messing around with uncertainties on your QXC is not a good plan.
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My suggested routing would be...
Leg 1: Tatenhill - M6 Hilton Park Services (VRP) - Kidderminster - Gloucester
at 3000'.
Leg 2: Gloucester - Gaydon (disused airfield) - Draycott Water (VRP) - Leicester at 3000'.
Leg 3: Leicester - Measham (M42 J11 VRP) - Tatenhill at 2000'.
Not familiar with the areas airspace, but looks perfectly OK on SkyDemon.
MFC
Leg 1: Tatenhill - M6 Hilton Park Services (VRP) - Kidderminster - Gloucester
at 3000'.
Leg 2: Gloucester - Gaydon (disused airfield) - Draycott Water (VRP) - Leicester at 3000'.
Leg 3: Leicester - Measham (M42 J11 VRP) - Tatenhill at 2000'.
Not familiar with the areas airspace, but looks perfectly OK on SkyDemon.
MFC
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Forgot to mention halfpenny green as my turning point!
So the route my CFI had advised is
Leg 1 tatenhill-halfpenny green
Leg 2 halfpenny-Gloucester direct
Leg 3 Gloucester- draycott water
Leg 4 draycott-Leicester
Leg 5 Leicester- measham VRP
Leg 6 measham- tatenhill
Leg 7 tatenhill to nearest pub for a pint as I will so need one!!!
I'm looking forward to it just want everything planned out the best way I'm planning on the whole route at 2,300ft
So the route my CFI had advised is
Leg 1 tatenhill-halfpenny green
Leg 2 halfpenny-Gloucester direct
Leg 3 Gloucester- draycott water
Leg 4 draycott-Leicester
Leg 5 Leicester- measham VRP
Leg 6 measham- tatenhill
Leg 7 tatenhill to nearest pub for a pint as I will so need one!!!
I'm looking forward to it just want everything planned out the best way I'm planning on the whole route at 2,300ft
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Madlandrover
Your right Just checked the caa campaign against aviation ! Website and edition 37 half mill was published in march dog I'll have to order w new one
Your right Just checked the caa campaign against aviation ! Website and edition 37 half mill was published in march dog I'll have to order w new one
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Leg 1 Tatenhill - Halfpenny Green
Leg 2 Halfpenny Green - Gloucester
Leg 3 Gloucester - Draycott Water
Leg 4 Draycott - Leicester
Leg 5 Leicester - Measham VRP
Leg 6 Measham VRP - Tatenhill
That's similar to the route I did 2 years ago except I used Lichfield NDB instead, as it was active then.
I think ALL students at Tatenhill use that route for their QXC! Good Luck! :-)
Leg 2 Halfpenny Green - Gloucester
Leg 3 Gloucester - Draycott Water
Leg 4 Draycott - Leicester
Leg 5 Leicester - Measham VRP
Leg 6 Measham VRP - Tatenhill
That's similar to the route I did 2 years ago except I used Lichfield NDB instead, as it was active then.
I think ALL students at Tatenhill use that route for their QXC! Good Luck! :-)
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At least you're doing it that way round... on my QXC we did Welshpool - Gloucester - Tatenhill - Welshpool. Two of us did it on the same day about 20 minutes apart (much to the amusement of several controllers en route) and the chap ahead of me overshot Tatenhill and bust East Midlands airspace.
To be fair to him
a. I knew the area - I used to live in Burton - so I recognised ground features (Rugely power station, the reservoir) well before spotting Tatenhill;
b. he did realise what he'd done and called EMA to get them to sort him out.
I wonder what happened to him? Forgotten his name, now; skinny chap in his early 20s. This was in 2001. Is he out there somewhere?
Tim
To be fair to him
a. I knew the area - I used to live in Burton - so I recognised ground features (Rugely power station, the reservoir) well before spotting Tatenhill;
b. he did realise what he'd done and called EMA to get them to sort him out.
I wonder what happened to him? Forgotten his name, now; skinny chap in his early 20s. This was in 2001. Is he out there somewhere?
Tim
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Tim
Yes I'm sure the controllers were scratching there head they must have thought it was the red bull race or something would be great if someone else was flying that route the same day as me irm like my CFI I'll let him go in front I'll follow and throw the map out if the window anyway I can't plan much more I've gone through the route dozens of times I just wNt to fly it now and enjoy will post on here how it goes in sept !!
Yes I'm sure the controllers were scratching there head they must have thought it was the red bull race or something would be great if someone else was flying that route the same day as me irm like my CFI I'll let him go in front I'll follow and throw the map out if the window anyway I can't plan much more I've gone through the route dozens of times I just wNt to fly it now and enjoy will post on here how it goes in sept !!
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Thanks Scott
That's pretty much the route I'm intending to fly execpt I'll go direct to tatenhill from Leicester dog leg around swadlincote should just keep me from busting controlled airspace I've flown that part if the route before when I flew from derby
That's pretty much the route I'm intending to fly execpt I'll go direct to tatenhill from Leicester dog leg around swadlincote should just keep me from busting controlled airspace I've flown that part if the route before when I flew from derby
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My QFC was the most enjoyable bit of my PPL training, (Sywell and Cambridge were my landaways) the feeling of 'crikey I can fly around, land at other places and not get lost or cock up the circuit' is very satisfying. Enjoy!
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Why not just speak to East Midlands Radar when possible and request a clearance? You don't have to use it, but you've got the comfort in knowing that you won't get a letter from the all mighty 
I've always found them very very accommodating when transiting their airspace.
I've always found them very very accommodating when transiting their airspace.
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Lee
That is my plan as long as I keep the lake on my right I shouldn't bust the airspace but I will contact them once I've left Leicester to be on the safe side !
That is my plan as long as I keep the lake on my right I shouldn't bust the airspace but I will contact them once I've left Leicester to be on the safe side !
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So the route my CFI had advised is
Leg 1 tatenhill-halfpenny green
Leg 1 tatenhill-halfpenny green
Just out of interest who are you training with at Tatenhill? Would you recommend them?
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Whiskey Charlie
Yes I'll be keeping a very good look out I was planning on using the nav aids for help but only as an aid i fly with Dave wood or woody he is one of the CFIs I fly with I'd recommend him but be aware he is totally strict and keeps you under pressure all the time! Doesn't allow the slightest mistake but he is good and obviously knows his stuff ultimately it should make you a better pilot Only problem with me is I can only fly on Saturday's as I work in the week so at weekends it gets busy especially when it's nice weather but that's probably the same with most small flying schools
Yes I'll be keeping a very good look out I was planning on using the nav aids for help but only as an aid i fly with Dave wood or woody he is one of the CFIs I fly with I'd recommend him but be aware he is totally strict and keeps you under pressure all the time! Doesn't allow the slightest mistake but he is good and obviously knows his stuff ultimately it should make you a better pilot Only problem with me is I can only fly on Saturday's as I work in the week so at weekends it gets busy especially when it's nice weather but that's probably the same with most small flying schools
Last edited by aerofoil1; 6th Aug 2011 at 09:27.
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Hi
Did the very same route a couple of months ago for my QCX.
From Tatenhill, aim for Blithfield reservior south (large straight dam and easily seen once airbourne) It also allows you to settle down and assess conditions.
Once there change direction and head for Bridgnorth. This route should avoid any built up areas but there are lots of VRPs to help you on route.
At Bridgnorth, turn south and a straight line should take you directly to Gloucester. You can you the Malverns in the distance as a goods VRP to assess track.
From Gloucester to Leicester was a straight route to Draycott VRP and also use Rugby Cement works although it is not an official VRP. Draycott to Leicester should take you very close to Bruntingthorpe airfield which you can't miss.
Now then... out from Leicester, I chose to head for Nuneaton VRP, a disused airfield now used as a test track on the A5. It is quite easy to see from a reasonable distance. Turn NW from this point and follow the TNL NDB home from 10 miles out.
I know it sounds easy sitting here but appreciate what you are going through.
Good Luck.
Did the very same route a couple of months ago for my QCX.
From Tatenhill, aim for Blithfield reservior south (large straight dam and easily seen once airbourne) It also allows you to settle down and assess conditions.
Once there change direction and head for Bridgnorth. This route should avoid any built up areas but there are lots of VRPs to help you on route.
At Bridgnorth, turn south and a straight line should take you directly to Gloucester. You can you the Malverns in the distance as a goods VRP to assess track.
From Gloucester to Leicester was a straight route to Draycott VRP and also use Rugby Cement works although it is not an official VRP. Draycott to Leicester should take you very close to Bruntingthorpe airfield which you can't miss.
Now then... out from Leicester, I chose to head for Nuneaton VRP, a disused airfield now used as a test track on the A5. It is quite easy to see from a reasonable distance. Turn NW from this point and follow the TNL NDB home from 10 miles out.
I know it sounds easy sitting here but appreciate what you are going through.
Good Luck.