Flying VFR to Jersey
 

I am tentative on flying to Jersey this Bank Holiday weekend and wanted to get advice from those who have made the Journey before?

Some of the threads are slightly dated. I know about informing special branch etc..

What would be the best routing, altitude and any flight planning advice is appreciated..

Nice place to visit?

Thanks
D.S

The answers to your questions depend to some extent on where you are starting from and what you are flying, but I always route from the Isle of Wight (St Catherines point) to Cherbourg, then Carteret lighthouse where I call Jersey Approach.
For the sea crossing I will be as high as weather permits (10,500 ft).


This route takes you through the Channel danger areas which will not be active over the bank holiday but check anyway with London Info.


Jersey is a very nice place to visit and the Aeroclub are friendly with food available.


Fuel is duty free so very cheap.

Tips? Call them, they'll be more than happy to help you.

Routing:
As high as you can legally,
Avoid the airway,
If going through the danger area check with London Info.

Equipment:
Life Jackets
Life Raft

Docs & Other:
All usual stuff for all flights
Credit / Debit card / Cash

Happy flying over the weekend! :)

...or Alderney or Guernsey, which in my opinion are better destinations. Personally, I'd go to Alderney and stay in the Braye Beach hotel. If you're reasonably fit, you can easily walk it but last time, the air traffic controller gave us a lift! (Taxi also available). You wake up to the sound of the waves gently lapping against the sandy beach, right outside your window.
I find Jersey over-commercialised and just too busy for a getaway break.

TOO

It's an easy and pleasant flight, here is what I've learned during several crossings:

1. A VFR forsecast doesn't always mean blue sky VFR, don't be surprised if you get some thick haze or sea mist.
2. As you're doddling along eagerly anticipating the sight of the French coast don't forget to look down during the crossing and make a mental note of where those daft bastards in their wee sailboats are, they could become your best friend if a channel cruise is enforced upon you.


Have fun!

Sorry I forgot to say I will be routing via Stapleford (EGSG) in a Mooney 130kt IAS, Rectractable and VP.

Thinking of coasting out at Seaford or Hastings.

I have never been anything about FL450 before.. FL10, 500 is VFR even allowed as you loose the 'sight of surface' afaik i will fall into less than 140kts so need to be in sight of surface unless I have balls that up?

Presume you mean FL45 not FL450. Or that's one impressive Mooney!

Sensible to fly at the appropriate altitude/FL per the semi-circular rule, though not mandatory for VFR. FL65 or 85 would be my choice for the water crossing from the SE (once past that annoying airway south of the IOW).

If you are talking to London Info, they will likely ask you for an eta to the CI zone boundary, so be ready for that (if using GPS, suggest you put a waypoint on the boundary to make this easier)

Assuming weather wasn't a factor:

From Stapleford, I'd route to the east of City, down to Mayfield VOR/DME (or Bewl Water if you want to see some sailboats), then for sightseeing purposes I'd head to Beachy Head, and slowly starting my climb to FL60 whilst following the coast, then once by St Catherine's Point, I would climb to FL105 whilst going direct to MP (NDB) (or directly south from SAM VOR/DME) to keep clear of the airways.

Then maybe come back the other way around London - just for a change? Ie: Head direct to Wycombe Airfield then head East on the north side of London Heathrow's zone.

Remember, FL10,500 doesn't exist... Its FL105! And you should definitely still be in sight of the surface at 10,500ft. The only thing you need to consider at that height / altitude / Flight Level is the fact that there is less oxygen up there, hence why 10,000ft is really the highest people will go VFR without oxygen, but according to the French, they want you to fly the proper FL according to the semi-circular rule which puts you 500ft higher.

Consider taking your passport if you need to divert to France, and also call them ahead telling them that you MAY divert to them due to weather. I've occasionally seen the isles completely in thick haze, whilst Cherbourg was bathed in glorious sunshine - keep that in mind! :)

But most of all - have an amazing flight, it is stunning!

Fk that is an impressive altitude for single prop...Strong thermals that day?

FL10500 you'll lose sight of the surface.

But FL105 you'll still be able to see it

Yes.. FL45 I meant and FL105..

I am hopeful of the weather holding up I use XCweather to get an idea as well as the Met office forms, METARS, TAFS etc..

Any other useful weather websites that a PPL might find handy but may not have come across?

Cheers
D.S

For the crossing I'd pay particular attention to the rain radar on the met office, in addition to asking about the current conditions when you call for PPR.

A lot of places also have webcams which can help - looking at dew point and forecast temperature can often give an indication of the likely cloudbase - especially in the channel, if they get too close, there is often fog / sea mist that can form.

Hope this helps!

But you may need to book your table at the First and Last well in advance, otherwise it can get full of yachties.

Don't forget to file a flight plan each way - as you are crossing an FIR boundary, it's compulsory!

Fill up with cheap avgas in the CI, and don't forget to claim drawback from those nice chaps at HMRC for the fuel in your tanks on departure UK

Everything you need is in one place and kept up to date:

Channel Island Control Zone - SVFR Flight Planning Guide

I find this handy - weather model gfs - united kingdom - surface pressure [base + 0] | weatheronline

it is, much like XCWeather - GFS based, however gives a bit more detail

For other models and long term forecasts you might want to play around with this - Meteociel - Modèle Numérique américain CFS

But just remember that people have died trying to arrive in the CI with empty tanks so as to make the most of the cheap fuel.

Only international. Not London/Scottish...well, not yet, anyway...

That 'annoying airway' is what's wrong with the inacccessible IR and airways in the U.K., anywhere else and the advice would have been to fly along it!