How do I know what permissions I need?
 

Hi All, it's me again...

I'm just waiting on mu license to be dispatched. Had an email from the CAA saying I was missing something on paperwork, which I've emailed across to them today, so hopefully they confirm that and get it sent to me. It's only been 6 weeks (to the day).

Anyway, reason for my question is this: I'm going for a flight to an airfield I've never been to next month (specifically, Leicester) and want to know how you can tell whether you have to request permission to start etc? On my QXC, I flew to two international airports (which required said permission), but at my home airfield, I don't need to. May sound like a stupid question, but, I need to know.

Also, when it comes to refuelling, that's always something that's been done for me, but as far as I'm aware, not every airfield has someone who does it for you. Is it difficult to refuel?

Sorry for the silly sounding questions, but thank you in advance for your helpful, non-condescending, comments :)

Kind Regards

TW

This is not a practical problem for those many of us who can't afford a rental long enough away from home base to use up a tank full of fuel!

For any licensed airfield your first source should be the IAIP under Aerodrome Index - Specific. Any local regulations will be in the para 2.20 of the text data. For unlicensed airfields use their website or your favourite airfield guide.

You can also ask if phoning for PPR, or over the radio or at control when paying a landing fee.

In general, ATC don't bite if you ask nicely by phone. If you're not sure, just call up and announce you're ready to start. If you're cleared, or alternatively told nothing to affect, job done.

Most of the information you need is found in the AIP:

NATS | AIS - Home

This'll tell you everything you need to know about any airfield you choose to visit. I tend to just print off the pages I need, but you can buy the Pooleys/AFE books for a hard copy.

You should have at least been shown how to refuel, correctly and safely, during your training.................

.........and there's no such thing as a silly question in aviation, but if you manage to ask one you might be given a silly answer!

Generally speaking:

If there is an Air/Ground service - ie Placename Info - they can't tell you what to do, so start -up would be at your leisure.

If there is a FISO - ie Placename Radio - then they can tell you what do do on the ground, except when on the runway. So you might not be able to start up without their permission.

And, of course, a full ATC may even have a dedicated Ground frequency.

In practical terms, just ask when you pay your landing fee!

Thank you for all your answers. Yea, never got shown refuelling, but will ask when I go back to the airfield (hopefully next week some time).

I thought this was the case, but wanted to confirm.


I won't be away long enough to use a full tank, however, a 2.5 hour return flight (requiring 55 l of fuel plus 15 l reserve), with a PIC weighing 75kg and a rather portly passenger in a Robin HR200 means I won't be able to put the full amount of required fuel in on departure, I'll have to do it in 2 sections.


Thank you all :)

I think that these are the wrong way round.

"Placename Radio" is A/G and has no control, just provides information
"Placename Information" can control you on the ground and onto the runway for T/O at your discretion.

Ah yes, I could be wrong, but that sounds more like it

I think the above have mentioned most of the possibilities. So it's....


Pooleys to check for PPR.
Go to the big C to pay your Cash.


If you need fuel, it is easier to taxi to the pumps after landing, (with directions from the tower.) than before take-off.
Then some airfields require you to Book-Out, so ask for an internal phone and dial the internal number of the Tower.


.

Not an option at many airfields, in fact at some fields it will only be a limited number of employees who are insured, but if you are at a field where this is required and you are not happy to do it yourself then ask and generally there will be someone on hand to assist.
For requesting start I have never bothered a ANY airfield unless I am on an IFR plan!

The best way to ensure a happy visit is to simply pick up the phone and call them. Or, if you have more time, ping them an email...

What foxmoth and Sam said.

At East Mids Airport the limit of my refuelling training was 'Hi Matt, any chance you can fill up Tango Golf for me please?' ;)

I've just got a share in a PA28 at Tollerton - I've had much the same queries as you re: refuelling / startup / procedure... just ask - people are quite happy to fill in the gaps :)

Edit: oh, and if you've only sent off paperwork to the caa today then they won't look at it until Wednesday at the earliest, then reassess it on Friday... don't ask me how I know ;)

Yup. I was taught how to ask Ops for the refueller as necessary.

I'll find out about refuelling next time I go, and will, as suggested, ping off an email to ask. All the information from the AIP is kinda confusing, but I've figured it out :)

Nick T - I know you had a HUGE delay with your license application, but why do you reckon they won't look at the email until Wednesday? (just out of curiosity).

Many thanks


On a totally different topic, does the license come with a holder, or do I have to buy one separately? If so, any suggestions as to where to get one from? Thanks

T

In my experience you only ever need to ask for start either

a. on an IFR flight plan (so ATC can get themselves in gear!) - won't apply to you yet
b. at big airfields with an ATIS - and the ATIS occasionally says 'all aircraft call for start on XXX.XXX'.

Even the RAF base where I fly doesn't require a call for start for club aircraft, though oddly there is a military habit of calling 'complete, closing down' before shutdown.

tobster: i've got nothing to really go on other than my own experience... you rush around trying to get paperwork sorted and emailed over, but then they only clear out the email box every few days. (Unless they changed things recently)
Same with posting things - one guy i spoke to said that if i posted something on a Thursday it would get there on the Friday then sit in a pile for 'matching' until the middle of the next week.

But yes, the licence does come in a holder :)

The only place I have Been where you have to call for startup is Fife as they do parachute jumping and don't want anyone dropping onto your propeller.