Flying into Sywell AeroExpo 2014
Agree
Attended Sywell today, no problems with the arrival/departure procedures, as published, on a busy movement day.
Unfortunately the heavy hand of the CAA/Health and Safety/unthinking bureaucracy ?? has reached the presumeably irresponsible visiting aviators.
At these events half the reason for going is wandering around the aircraft parking area, admiring the varied and sometimes unusuall aircraft.
Today we were advised walking around the aircraft now not permitted, and buses provided to and from the show area.
If this is repeated at the PFA Rally I can see a lot less attendees.
Are pilots with their passengers now deemed too much of a risk around aircraft?
(even with a high vis. jacket course)
Unfortunately the heavy hand of the CAA/Health and Safety/unthinking bureaucracy ?? has reached the presumeably irresponsible visiting aviators.
At these events half the reason for going is wandering around the aircraft parking area, admiring the varied and sometimes unusuall aircraft.
Today we were advised walking around the aircraft now not permitted, and buses provided to and from the show area.
If this is repeated at the PFA Rally I can see a lot less attendees.
Are pilots with their passengers now deemed too much of a risk around aircraft?
(even with a high vis. jacket course)
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Is that why there were hardly any people in the parking area? I saw in one of the documents that you can camp by your aircraft, so I can see the bus transport idea breaking down when the drivers go home.
Unfortunately there will always be the odd occurrence of bad airmanship shown when so many aircraft attend. Even the simplest rules seem too difficult for some, calling "no. 2 or 3 0n Final " when it is clearly only required to call when no.1.
As mentioned on another thread, the generally poor RT of many UK recreational pilots is shown up at these events.
As for the ban on pilots in the parking area, I didn't notice any problems in the immensely busier Oshkosh visiting aircraft area last year!!
As mentioned on another thread, the generally poor RT of many UK recreational pilots is shown up at these events.
As for the ban on pilots in the parking area, I didn't notice any problems in the immensely busier Oshkosh visiting aircraft area last year!!
Last edited by cessnapete; 30th May 2015 at 17:29.
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Was the bus notam'd?
I managed to make it in yesterday and was marshalled to just about as far away from the entrance as possible. I was thinking just that and started to trek off to the gate, only to be shouted out by a marshaller. "NOOO! YOU CAN'T WALK. READ THE NOTAM".
Said marshaller then got on same bus when it arrived and continued to go on about NOTAM. I am usually pretty good at spotting stuff, so was more than surprised (and a bit miffed at the attitude as I was a "customer"). So today I went through all 20 plus pages on Sywell's site, then on Skydemon, then on AIS - couldn't find a thing about walking/buses. Anyone else spot any info prior to arrival?
Said marshaller then got on same bus when it arrived and continued to go on about NOTAM. I am usually pretty good at spotting stuff, so was more than surprised (and a bit miffed at the attitude as I was a "customer"). So today I went through all 20 plus pages on Sywell's site, then on Skydemon, then on AIS - couldn't find a thing about walking/buses. Anyone else spot any info prior to arrival?
Yesterday, there was a problem with the audio system in the Main Lecture Theatre at Sywell. As I was giving a seminar today, I brought my AOR wide band receiver along, in case there was some way of using it with the radio microphones direct into the theatre sound desk.
So as I approached Northampton on the A508, I listened in on 122.7 for amusement.
What a bunch of rank amateurism. A helicopter which blundered into the RW21 approach and started querying the aerodrome information was told that he had no approval to visit - so please vacate the area. Top marks, Sywell, if the beggar was that dim, telling him to go away was the only safe solution.
If there was a 'Dick of the Day' award for the least compliant radio call, it must go to the pilot with the 'Exam' call sign who clearly hadn't bothered to read the NOTAMs. I wonder whether he passed whatever test he was doing...
The procedures are very simple, so why do people STILL screw up?
And NEVER call a ground-pounder "Sir" this side of the Atlantic!
So as I approached Northampton on the A508, I listened in on 122.7 for amusement.
What a bunch of rank amateurism. A helicopter which blundered into the RW21 approach and started querying the aerodrome information was told that he had no approval to visit - so please vacate the area. Top marks, Sywell, if the beggar was that dim, telling him to go away was the only safe solution.
If there was a 'Dick of the Day' award for the least compliant radio call, it must go to the pilot with the 'Exam' call sign who clearly hadn't bothered to read the NOTAMs. I wonder whether he passed whatever test he was doing...
The procedures are very simple, so why do people STILL screw up?
And NEVER call a ground-pounder "Sir" this side of the Atlantic!
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One of the marshallers told me that we were not permitted to walk to and from our aircraft because of the CAA had so ruled because of the helicopter races. The logic presumably being the risk assessment outcome.
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Well next year I hope the organisers don't book the racing helicopters, because one of the main attractions is for visiting pilots, spotters and all, to walk around the many aircraft. Once again it seems H&S gone mad 
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So we pilots couldn't go airside because of the heli raceing ? But all the hangers on at the heli raceing could all stand out side there tent next to the race track and watch it
" must have had special insurance cover for them then "
Austerwobbler
" must have had special insurance cover for them then "
Austerwobbler
As one whose interest in helicopters (apart from many tedious wet winching sessions in the RAF) peaked in about 1960 withThe Whirlybirds, Chuck Martin, 'P.T.' Moore and N975B, I wonder at the wisdom of combining 'Heli UK 2015' with AeroExpo.
Those 'orrible clattering things dangling buckets (or whatever) made conversation with guests quite awkward at times, as did the absurdly over-the-top PA. "I do wish they'd just bugger off somewhere else!", as one guest put it.
But that was as naught compared with the stupidly loud 'music' which drowned out the gyroplane display...
Come on, AeroExpo - set some limits!
Those 'orrible clattering things dangling buckets (or whatever) made conversation with guests quite awkward at times, as did the absurdly over-the-top PA. "I do wish they'd just bugger off somewhere else!", as one guest put it.
But that was as naught compared with the stupidly loud 'music' which drowned out the gyroplane display...
Come on, AeroExpo - set some limits!
Last edited by BEagle; 31st May 2015 at 18:58.
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I have to agree with Beagle and I am a helicopter pilot as well as fixed wing (in fact I went there by heli as it was much simpler). It was too noisy, too close and the commentary was so hyped up it was ridiculous. I have manned many stands at many shows, and if I had been trying to work near that I would have been furious. Not the right place for that sort of show.
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So there wasn't a NOTAM
Glad to hear that I hadn't missed something. But it then makes me concerned that marshallers attitude was thus. I don't enjoy being slagged off - and I'm by no means precious.
Despite all that, purpose of visit was served - cheap oil for the year was bought, 2 Garmin updated, super insurance quote received, so I really can't complain.
If anyone official is reading this, I obviously sent the oil home by road as to carry it aboard would contravene...........?
Despite all that, purpose of visit was served - cheap oil for the year was bought, 2 Garmin updated, super insurance quote received, so I really can't complain.
If anyone official is reading this, I obviously sent the oil home by road as to carry it aboard would contravene...........?
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Which is why I stopped going to the PFA rally by air. Too many times, I was cut up on downwind or even final by people who clearly had not looked at any instructions and often heard people calling up for landing instructions on the radio.
Bl00dy dangerous in my opinion
The last time I took off from Aero Expo ( or was it the Jubilee airshow ) at Sywell, it was akin to scrambling fighters in the Battle of Britain. The field was closed until the airshow finished and on re-opening everyone wanted to leave at once... and everyone did. Aircraft of different types, and hence speeds were departing concurrently on both the grass and hard runways with very tight spacing. It made for an exciting climb out and I was glad when I left the circuit, and the excitement, behind!
I didn't find arrival that bad, but again you are relying on other pilots to be familiar with the published arrival procedure.
I didn't find arrival that bad, but again you are relying on other pilots to be familiar with the published arrival procedure.
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I flew in on Sat with an experienced pilot on board to help with the nav and look out. I agree the basics were simple but not the way it was presented in 20+ pages - thank god for printers at work!
Also, the size of the hold box at Pitsford was not clear - I was one of the last ones in and even then there were varying interpretations of how far out from the reservoir to fly each leg.
Also, the size of the hold box at Pitsford was not clear - I was one of the last ones in and even then there were varying interpretations of how far out from the reservoir to fly each leg.
Yup, the procedures are simple. But many don't read them and what is the use of a slot time if people don't keep to it. Worse still, Sywell publish that if you are late just come anyway. As I said, what on earth is the point of a slot time?