Luton and Stansted CTR transits
Join Date: Oct 2013
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Glad all went well Hedge but don't forget that's what they are there for! Can count on one hand the number of times I've been denied a crossing of anywhere (Leeds/Bradford if you must ask) and have always received the most helpful of services. Can't understand the fear some folk have of crossing class D, although I appreciate that some folk do fear it.
Join Date: Oct 2013
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I took a flight from Stapleford up to Sherburn (just NW of Doncaster) on Monday. On the way out departing on 22 at Stapleford, and with a right turn out, it was only an extra few minutes to go via BPK and through the middle of the STN and LTN zones so I did that. On the way back though, to save a longer trip around the circuit (and to be honest to get a big or practice in), I planned to transit, BKY to Great Dunmow across the 05 threshold at STN.
I made my call about 10 miles from BKY at 4000ft, but initial response was to remain OCAS during controller handover. This resulted in an S turn and quick descent to duck under 2500. I was then given the clearance to enter the zone initially not above 2500 then as I got to the CTR, not above 1500. I was asked to transit over Bishops Stortford, which took me across the extended centreline about 5 miles or so from the threshold. The controllers were helpful and polite although obviously extremely busy.....Ryanair this and Monarch that....constantly.
The thing I kept telling myself is that it is no different transitting here than transitting Doncaster or even any of the MATZ I'd been through that day. Work out what you are going to say before you key the mic and go for it.
I made my call about 10 miles from BKY at 4000ft, but initial response was to remain OCAS during controller handover. This resulted in an S turn and quick descent to duck under 2500. I was then given the clearance to enter the zone initially not above 2500 then as I got to the CTR, not above 1500. I was asked to transit over Bishops Stortford, which took me across the extended centreline about 5 miles or so from the threshold. The controllers were helpful and polite although obviously extremely busy.....Ryanair this and Monarch that....constantly.
The thing I kept telling myself is that it is no different transitting here than transitting Doncaster or even any of the MATZ I'd been through that day. Work out what you are going to say before you key the mic and go for it.
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Join Date: Sep 2012
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Now, why did I ever worry? #2
And hello again,
It took me some time to fly a route which would be suitable for a Stansted CTR transit, but patience is a virtue... On last Sunday of 2014 I received not one but two clearances to cross VFR, one on my way from Stapleford to Cambridge, the other on my way back
The Essex Radar frequency didn't sound too busy and there were virtually no delays, however it wasn't completely quiet either - in the picture below you will see four Ryanair 737s while the fifth one is heading right towards us on its final approach to land.
On both occasions I was able to fly close to a straight line at 2,000 ft. Not a huge time gain but every little helps as they say, especially if you depart 5 minutes to sunset.
/h88
It took me some time to fly a route which would be suitable for a Stansted CTR transit, but patience is a virtue... On last Sunday of 2014 I received not one but two clearances to cross VFR, one on my way from Stapleford to Cambridge, the other on my way back
The Essex Radar frequency didn't sound too busy and there were virtually no delays, however it wasn't completely quiet either - in the picture below you will see four Ryanair 737s while the fifth one is heading right towards us on its final approach to land.On both occasions I was able to fly close to a straight line at 2,000 ft. Not a huge time gain but every little helps as they say, especially if you depart 5 minutes to sunset.
/h88
