Oxford / Weston DZ
 

I have a friend doing some work on a house between Oxford Airport and Weston. There are some good reasons why we'd like to see it from the air. A look at the chart has it sandwiched in between the very edge of the EGTK ATZ and D129. I am aware that as well as being a Danger Area and a Drop Zone, Weston has winch launched gliding activity.

Does anyone know if it's possible to get access safely (and legally) to that DZ on a weekend? Obviously we'd be talking to Oxford or Brize.

Thanks

Or ask the police to point their camera away from Oxford?

Helicopter pilots capture stunning aerial images of Oxford (From The Oxford Times)

The DZ is rarely active at weekends, but glider winch launching will be taking place if the weather permits. I suggest that you give the gliding club a call on the phone in the morning. The club launchpoint also usually monitor 133.65MHz. Won't be there this weekend, otherwise would have been glad to co-ordinate this for you.

I've flown at Weston on a few weekends. Gliding would be active, winch launching with cables up to 2,000 above airfield. Weather permitting.

Assume you would like to fly to photo your housebuilding, how distant is that from WOG? And what aircraft would you be flying? If 500' or lower and not near the airfield, very unlikely to encounter glider traffic. If weather is good for cross country soaring you may find gliders ANYWHERE, but if they are 500 feet or lower and not near an airfield, they would be getting nervous.

Soaring weather is bumpy. Typically marked by fair weather cumulus clouds.
Employed by gliders from 9 am to 7 or 8 pm to gain altitude, which is why they spend their time going around in circles.

They are unlikely to answer radio calls. Telephone in the morning is better.
Do not assume because nobody answers the phone that nothing is happening.
Probably everybody is out on the field, or in the air.

Please bear in mind that we are currently cleared for winching to 2500 feet and have achieved that height in recent weeks. Kidlington and Brize are aware when the the club is operating as we notify them both each morning. As Mary suggests, the gliders are unlikely to be flying low on the edge of the Kidlington ATZ, but we do monitor the radio and have a phone on the launch point vehicle so your calls would be answered.

Thanks, Neil, for your correction, and congrats on achieving 2,500! we are jealous! usually our launches wimp out at 1,200 at Shenington, but with a NW wind on the ridge there is help at hand....

At our club, a while back, a person answered the clubhouse phone and told a heli that it was OK to call on the radio for permission. So he phoned the next day, got no answer, called on the radio, assumed no traffic, and took off directly in the path of a K8 glider on approach.

The K8 pilot, on early solo, had just managed to soar for more than 5 hours, and he didn't have a radio. He had to take avoiding action.

We filed an airmiss.

I occasionally shuttle from Bicester to Oxford, and the track takes you through the edge of the danger area. Oxford Approach will confirm if the Danger area is live or not - if not then you're normally good to go. Best time is normally after 3/4pm or whenever they have finished dropping. Worth giving Oxford a call on the landline before you go to find out if they're hot or not.

On weekends the Danger Area remains active and hot, as occasionally they drop on weekends. The gliding club do not operate midweek.

What about employing the services of a drone company? They can operate up to 400'. No so much fun as doing the flying yourself, but might get the job done and probably a lot cheaper.

TOO

Call Oxford ATC on 01865 290650 near the time you wish to do it; your location maybe inside / close proximity to the visual circuit so some careful co-ordination maybe required. Or PM me for further info

Rgds Fred

dde0apb - things to think about while planning your photos
 

Photography in the air is particularly dangerous. There should be an experienced pilot with paramount attention to good lookout and flying the plane safely. And a second person should be the photographer who has to pay attention to getting the picture right.

Air Frame Photography, actually Damien Dyer, who is highly experienced in his J3 cub, does good work and has the right kit. For best pics you can take off the door with a J3 or Supercub. Otherwise, the idea of hiring a drone is a good one.

But you and your buddy, if beginners, could possibly come unstuck. I don't want to read about it in the Oxford Mail.