Flight from Elstree to Dunkeswell
 

Hi all,

First post so please go easy on me...

Recently got my ppl and haven't ventured very far yet so am planning on heading down to Dunkeswell for what I have heard is a good Sunday roast.

I'm aware of the para dropping that takes place there but is there any other advice that anyone can give me for this trip, things to watch out for on the way, perhaps even recommendations on alternative destinations should you not be a fan of Dunkeswell?

Any and all thoughts welcome please.

Thanks and regards,
TTF

Be flexible........don't get transfixed on getting to a certain destination....... lots of varibles such as weather, controlled airspace, Notams , available daylight, availibility of the aircraft etc will dictate where best to head to.......its best to plan for one of several destinations and finalise the plans the night before and even then prepare to cancel or change things on the day itself.

Most important of all is not to have passengers who might have unrealistic ideas of getting somewhere.

I agree with Blink about flexibility on destination. I have a couple destinations "pre-planned" on my want to go there at some point list, and a lot of times I make my pick in the morning.

Anyway, to add to the suggestions that could enrich your weekend flight, why not make a short stop before you get to Dunkeswell? Compton Abbas Is a lovely airfield and conveniently positioned between Elstree and Dunkeswell.

All good advice from Blink182 and Intercepted.
Will you be experienced or confident enough to squeeze through the gap between Booker and the London CTR? If the answer is yes I'd aim for Whiskey (WW VRP, the Reading gasometers) then straight on to Kingsclere Mast. Ask Boscombe Down for MATZ penetration (likely to be asked to report Chilbolton). From Chilbolton in a straight line to EGHA (Compton Abbas) and on to EGTU (Dunkeswell).
There are alternatives but this is an easy route with some useful landmarks.
HTH

If you are going to Dunkeswell you'll need to book the table in the Air Centre in advance as it is popular. Don't leave it too late as they do ease down after about 14.00hrs

The route I use is a simple one -

EGTR - Overhead Booker -Henley - Membury -Devizes - Glastonbury - Dunkeswell.

The southerly route Henley - Popham - Alderbury - Shaftesbury - Sutton Bingham Reservoir (south of Yeovil) - Dunks is a prettier route but more congested.

Both Old Sarum and Compton Abbas are good places to stop en route.

Hi everyone and thanks for your comments.

Regarding the transit through Boscomb MATZ (or any MATZ for that matter), is this usually a straightforward process? How early do you call them up?

I was looking at avoiding them all, but if it's easy to get right through then this shaves off lots of time. How about Benson too? Would you advise transiting here aswell or skirting round the edge?

Thanks again for your thoughts/advice. All appreciated.

Yes, getting a MATZ transit is straightforward and there are recommended times/distances in advance to call up. But seriously, if you haven't ever done a MATZ transit, what else have you not done that might throw you on a trip of this length?

You might find a trip of this length (and return) overwhelming given your current experience. I'd suggest you take a PPL with you or build up to this gradually.

It is quite likely that MATZ not active on a Sunday but you must still avoid ATZ even if no reply from ATC.

Arriving overhead or near Kingsclere Mast might be a good time to give Boscombe Down a call. Don't know how “recently” you got your PPL but I think you might want to ponder the question raised by ALEXA.

FRTOL Licence
 

It is good to see a new PPL looking to gain experience, but not knowing about MATZ penetrations is a worry. How did you cope in your FRTOL practical exam?

I would echo concerns about overall experience level. Somebody more experienced alongside you would be very wise.

Good luck.

Boscombe MATZ not usually active at weekends but Boscombe airfield is usually active with Tutors operating up to 10,000ft overhead, so give them a call on 130.0 (approach) or 130.750 (tower) 'cos they often don't answer 126.7 at weekends.(if they did they'd get people constantly asking for LARS).

I think it's good that you are planning to do a reasonable trip. It's a learning curve of course, but I bet you find that it was more straighforward than you imagined. Plan ahead and write down all the likely frequencies. Rehearse what you will be asking each point of contact. Ask for MATZ advice at your club. Have fun.

It is very straight forward, but its very likely both Benson and Boscombe will be closed on a weekend. If they are closed I would recommend you to blind call position and routing. But as others already have been mentioning: Matz and ATZ are different things and you are NOT allowed to enter the ATZ if the Matz is closed. If open, a MATZ clearence is not an ATZ clearence, you need both.

You are recommended to call 15nm in advance and be prepared to re-route if they advice you not to penetrate. If they answer, be prepared to set QFE and follow a recommended height on this setting.

Anyway, there is no legal requirement to get a clearence for MATZ penetration and some pilots are not bothered to communication at all before they enter, but this is quite bad airmanship and could put both yourself and others at risk, especially if some exercise is going on.

1. Benson Zone G-ABCD
2. No answer
3. Benzon Zone G-ABCD
4. No answer
5. Benson Traffic G-ABCD Is a XX From Elstree to...

Or

5. Switch to Benson approach and ask for an overhead transit.
6. If no answer, do not transit ATZ.

Benson Approach is notified as 130.250, but this may be used for talkdowns too; never break in on a talkdown unless you have an emergency, tower is 127.150.

Before calling Benson Traffic why not have a look at CAP 413, Chapter 6.

Farnborough radar?
 

Why no mention of contact with Farnborough (north) or 125.25, who will then hand you over to Boscombe, when out of their range around the A34 pre Boscombe (if open/listening). Farn radar (basic service) is there for many reasons:ok:

Talk to the instructors at Elstree about the route, run over it with them on your map.

If you want Sunday Lunch at Dunkerswell you will need to book it - its very popular.

Dunkerswell is busy at times, listen out well in advance, the radio is A/G so is not always quick to reply. Make sure you have found Dunkerswell, there are two other disused airfields nearby.

Watch out for Parachutes, and gliders from North Hill.

Have fun

Stay clear of the gliding site at North Hill... and no overhead or deadside joins. Normal procedure is to join downwind for the active runway or from the base leg, giving way to circuit traffic.

Easy when you know how.

Don't join in the overhead at Dunkeswell.