Multiple Zone Transits
 

Hi all, just after a little advice. If I were planning a flight where the ideal route would take me through two very close sections of different controlled airspace, what is the procedure for requesting a zone transit across both? Assuming that there is minimal uncontrolled airspace between them.

I think it's safe to assume you can't just change station halfway across the first to contact the second

I should think that, once you are in comm's with the first, it is for them to refer you to your next contact?

But I seem to understand R/T in the UK is peculiar, sometimes quite distinct from what the rest of the world do. So my outsider's advice might not be very relevant.

As soon as you leave the first controlled airspace, request change to the next one and be prepared to free-call or orbit if it's busy. Consider asking if they can handover you to the next frequency, although they don't normally accept due to workload. Think also about a Plan B if you don't get clearance. On the PP Weekend, I did the Western side of East Midlands and then the Birmingham Overhead. I've also done the Stansted overhead and then the Southend Overhead. It's terrific fun.

I often ask the first one for an 'early change' - and usually get it whilst still in their airspace. It's not an issue - don't forget: you're dealing with it for the first time, they're dealing with it many times every single day...!

If possible, give both units a call so they know to expect you, it'll help smooth things out if the second unit has your details already i.e. type, POB, intended route, source, destination could all be provided beforehand. You will probably find the first unit will get similar routing a lot (just a guess but likely) so I'd guess they will be able to accommodate and help make your transition between the zones smooth.

All in all, expect the unexpected, plan for the risk of wasting some time in that leg of your journey. Also remember to enjoy it lol I find RT incredibly rewarding

Ask the first unit if they can arrange a clearance for you through the second piece of airspace.

If they say "Yes", then it's all done for you. If they say you'll need to contact them yourself, then ask if you can leave the first frequency and contact the next one in plenty of time.

There is no problem leaving the frequency of the first one to go to the second one, while you're still inside the first one, so long as they authorise that. In fact in the past, I've had occasion where I've got a clearance to enter the first one, and allowed to call the second one before actually entering the first one! Small airspaces sometimes require that.

Here's the French approach which took me through, I think, three chunks of class D:


Me: request transit through your class D


Them: I see you're at FL60. If you were at FL65 or FL55 I could clear you through all of them in one go.


Me: Descending to FL55


Them: report leaving the frequency.

It really depends on where in the world you are in, in Scandinavia they'll already know what your planning before you even talk to the first class D / C and generally clear you on track they may also hand you over to the respective controller with all details and clearances already agreed and obtained, in France they'll ask you to remain at a certain height and generally clear you through everything. I was cleared from Nantes (France) to Sabadell (Barcelona) direct through all restricted zones, several class D transits etc... despite training exercises happening in the restricted zones at the time without talking to anyone else.

In the U.K. However.... it could be anybody's guess! I've had good controllers, bad controllers, controllers under training ( you know because when you ask something non standard a new voice comes on comms) some will hand you over, some will clear you through airspace (farnborough radar west is a particularly good example to cross MATZ & their overhead - they'll clear you without needing to be handed over but occasionally they're overstretched (thank you cuts to ATC!) and cannot deal with the request, and you may need to negotiate it yourself as described above.

You don't say where it is but if these two zones are close together the situation you describe is probably a frequent occurence hence the two ATC units will probably have agreed procedures using a 'Letter of Agreement'; ATC units aren't stupid after all and anything to 'smooth' a situation like this will have been thought of.
I would find it difficult to imagine the situation has never occured before.

Really????

Call the first one with your proposed routing. They will sort you out as you go, unless there is some strange reason not to.

They may pass you over with something like "for whoever radar Squawk 1234" when you acknowledge and read back you will get "whoever on 123.475"

Thanks for the advice everyone, seems so simple now!