Trafalgar 200 - Fleet Review
 

I was wondering about a flight on Monday evening (weather permitting) to go and look at the gathered ships in the Solent (I fly from Bournemouth so it would just be a local trip).

I have read, and got a copy of the AIC and it seems that as long as I am over the IoW sout of the restricted area I should be OK - and if the weather is halfway decent I should get a good view.

Question is really whether this is a good idea - will there be lots of other aircraft around? While I know I can stay clear of the TRA, there is also Sandown and Bembridge in the vicinity and it seems like it could get quite busy.

On the other hand there is a designated area on the sea for yachts to visit - why can we not look down from above?

Your thoughts would be welcome - have yet to make a decision. Knowing my luck the weather will decide it for me!

Thanks

TZ

A couple of thoughts on the subject, just speaking as a reasonably local pilot to that area.

(1) There's a big all-weekend microlight fly-in at Sandown.

(2) Check how the TRA butts against the class D around Southampton and Bournemouth airports.

(3) Check the METARs, the last couple of days the met (as seen out of my window) and the MET (as forecast) have been totally different. The big difference has been a lot of low cloud not in the forecasts, and I'm not convinced that the visibility has been as good as the Met Office thinks either. That said, if you're flying from Bournemouth, you'll know what's happening before you leave the ground.

G

Solent Radar have been very helpful over the last few days and been clearing people over the top if they can at 2000', they just ask you to AVOID overflying the ships , which is fair enough.

A quick call to them on the landline before you get airborne would be good. I would also suggest calling the Trafalgar airspace manager before getting airborne he is very helpful and the number is on the AIC. DEFFINATELY give solent a call though.

This is all subject to there being no air displays in the area when you want to go in.... if there is FORGET IT! it all gets very busy so you'll have to route around!!

hope you have a good flight monday.

S
:cool:

Reading this: may help you, but I'm staying well clear of it, especially when RAFAT display.:zzz:

squak 2650,

good to hear that Solent have been helpful clearing people through at 2000ft.
I tried to go through at 2000ft early Sunday morning on my way to Sandown. Solent radar were helpful, but then handed me to "Solent Military" who were very unhelpful, just told me that transit of the TRA was not approved and to find another route. Nothing else was going on, no mil traffic in the area. I complained that people had been assured by the CAA and the airspace manager that they would do their best to allow transit through at 2000ft, but they werent having any of it.
So back to Solent radar for a transit around through their zone.
I put in an official complaint later, perhaps thats a small part of the reason they are now being more helpful.

Hopefully it will be better this weekend for anyone going to the IOW or people flying that route to get to PFA FFF. It will still be closed for two hours Sat and Sun for the air display though