Please call before entering a MATZ...
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Normally I wouldn't enter an AIAA without contacting the nominated authority after all why not talk to them? It's not a big task. BUT, around here they do make it difficult for us sometimes with (for example) Brize disappearing at 17:00 hrs and Yeovilton appearing to never be there on Friday afternoons.
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I cannot understand why you would not contact the appropriate military controller, even if you are over the top or going through. For example, if you were flying up (or down) the eastern side of the UK each area will hand you off to the next. A change of squawk and there you go. Radar cover and a peaceful flight. Try it and see. Safety and comfort. Why would anyone in their right mind want to do anything different.
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I know, why don't we not bother to indicate when driving? It's not against the law and if anyone else runs into us it's their fault! 
Then we can listen to all those pedants asking us to indicate when we clearly don't need to and they should mind their own business and get off their high horses.
Then we can listen to all those pedants asking us to indicate when we clearly don't need to and they should mind their own business and get off their high horses.
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So, would you enter a notified AIAA without contacting the nominated frequency/frequencies?
Eyes wide open, gob shut, and get on with it.
(oh, and Txpdr on so anyone interested can see ME). This way the frequency doesn't get swamped with useless babble like London Info on a sunny Sunday.
Last edited by 'Chuffer' Dandridge; 30th Aug 2013 at 20:32.
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AIAAs - Radar video map clutter, chart clutter, and a waste of printing ink. Many parts of UK Class G can be much more of an area of intense aerial activity than a depicted AIAA designed at the whim of one military officer. Level of intensity doesn't stop leaving the area at that dotted line. It might actually increase. Total delusion.
MATZs rarely contain the associated IAPs. One size certainly doesn't fit all. They are not even treated consistently by the military ATSUs themselves. It's total delusion that they afford any protection. The fact that recognition and compliance is optional completely renders the procedures as not robust. This devalues the whole concept of a MATZ. Again, radar video map clutter, chart clutter, and a waste of printing ink. If the military want sensible protection go and get a proper surveyed Class D CTR, alternatively play the Class G game the same as everybody else has to.
Such anachronistic and useless military figments should be removed from civil charts and the UK (civil) IAIP.
MATZs rarely contain the associated IAPs. One size certainly doesn't fit all. They are not even treated consistently by the military ATSUs themselves. It's total delusion that they afford any protection. The fact that recognition and compliance is optional completely renders the procedures as not robust. This devalues the whole concept of a MATZ. Again, radar video map clutter, chart clutter, and a waste of printing ink. If the military want sensible protection go and get a proper surveyed Class D CTR, alternatively play the Class G game the same as everybody else has to.
Such anachronistic and useless military figments should be removed from civil charts and the UK (civil) IAIP.
Avoid imitations
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As a pilot who spent almost two decades flying various military aircraft, almost all of it at low level, and having afterwards spent another nineteen years, mainly in UK flying non-military aircraft for my living, when flying in an AIAA there has never been a requirement to call any agency in particular.
Depending on where you fly, there are often more relevant agencies to call.
Depiction of these areas on the charts is only to advise pilots that they may see more military aircraft than elsewhere. Thirty years ago there was far more military aviation taking place, and it might have been more meaningful then, but no-one has ever "controlled" these areas.
Depending on where you fly, there are often more relevant agencies to call.
Depiction of these areas on the charts is only to advise pilots that they may see more military aircraft than elsewhere. Thirty years ago there was far more military aviation taking place, and it might have been more meaningful then, but no-one has ever "controlled" these areas.
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Where do we draw the line...
Depiction of these areas on the charts is only to advise pilots that they may see more military aircraft than elsewhere
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Hi, although it is quite legal to fly into an AIAA or MATZ remaining 'Radio Silent', I always think it is nice to be in radio contact with someone at all times. Then, heaven forbid if the engine stops, a quick press on the PTT
is all that is required to get your position plotted, for any rescue attempts.
Also those ground stations are good for basic information such as weather conditions, wind speed and direction, and many other tit-bits of news.
is all that is required to get your position plotted, for any rescue attempts.
Also those ground stations are good for basic information such as weather conditions, wind speed and direction, and many other tit-bits of news.
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yep that's what they want.
But linked in with various other threads which are linked to the current state of affairs of ATS in class G.
Pilots are becoming less and less inclined to talk to anyone that there is a chance that they are going to get into discussions with about refusing co-ordination due to controlling in uncontrolled airspace. Not for any benefit for the pilot concerned but more to meet rules which the unit and other airspace users decide are required for their safe operation.
But the ATS providers will state its bad airmanship etc etc for the pilots not to talk to them and do as they are told.
Which is in the same book as far as I am concerned as lady Gaga complaining that people look at her tits.
But linked in with various other threads which are linked to the current state of affairs of ATS in class G.
Pilots are becoming less and less inclined to talk to anyone that there is a chance that they are going to get into discussions with about refusing co-ordination due to controlling in uncontrolled airspace. Not for any benefit for the pilot concerned but more to meet rules which the unit and other airspace users decide are required for their safe operation.
But the ATS providers will state its bad airmanship etc etc for the pilots not to talk to them and do as they are told.
Which is in the same book as far as I am concerned as lady Gaga complaining that people look at her tits.
Avoid imitations
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Which is in the same book as far as I am concerned as lady Gaga complaining that people look at her tits.
I always think it is nice to be in radio contact with someone at all times. Then, heaven forbid if the engine stops, a quick press on the PTT
is all that is required to get your position plotted, for any rescue attempts.
is all that is required to get your position plotted, for any rescue attempts.
2 s
Avoid imitations
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As long as you pass the exact lat/long while you press the "tit" (oops, there's that word again), that might work.... then again... 
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I had no idea MATZs generated such heat. Talkdownman, while I respect your point of view as I understand you are an ATCO, I think you need to think about why MATZs were inventd. Perhaps the good intentions of MATZs are actually counterproductive, but I don't think the world would become a better place if they were all replaced with class D, though with the return to Tutor flying and the promised arrival of Odiham's Chinooks, Benson might well feel it was justified.
It reminds me of the Right to Roam debate...
It reminds me of the Right to Roam debate...
Last edited by tmmorris; 31st Aug 2013 at 18:39.
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At least, with regulated airspace, we would all know where we stand.
Perhaps the Odiham Chinooks going to Benson would like to take their MATZ with them...then that would make some more space for Farnborough's proposed Class D...
Perhaps the Odiham Chinooks going to Benson would like to take their MATZ with them...then that would make some more space for Farnborough's proposed Class D...
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Here is yet another thread that shows complete mis-understanding about uncontrolled Class G airspace. 
As has been written many times already, if you want all traffic to be known apply for Class D. Or C or B if you can get it.
.
As has been written many times already, if you want all traffic to be known apply for Class D. Or C or B if you can get it.
.
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I think you need to think about why MATZs were inventd
And we can see what the RAF think about air safety by the simple fact they block access to their AIP unless you pay for it.
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Whilst doing my PPL and since, I spent a lot of time flying around Shawbury and would always contact them. I have found the controllers there most helpful and their unfailing patience and politeness with some people has never ceased to amaze me. I always felt somebody was looking out for me. (Don't worry, I still maintained my usual lookout). It was in complete contrast with a civil airfield not too far away whose controllers' reputation for their attitude towards small GA was, to put it mildly, anti-GA, and on one occasion involving myself, resulted in a phone call of the tea-no-biscuits type by the CFI. The CFI had been sitting next to me and there was nearly a CFI-shaped dent in the roof of the poor little C152.