distaff :

As for hovering over the fuel farm, it's probably the best place to be. In the event of an engine failure you'd make an effort to get some speed on, so you're moving away from the problem.

And the published heli-lanes are available to S/E helicopters, which includes the one over Heathrow.

ATCO Two

I know the rules, I know how to ask and I know that the worst that can happen is being told negative, remain clear of controlled airspace. Shouldn't be a big deal, and the problem is really a psychological one about going somewhere that I've always been taught to avoid.

Flying from Goodwood means that you're always on the lookout for the London TMA and from day one you are told how important it is to avoiding wandering into Class-A (quite rightly, too). However it means that when things are busy, as they normally are when passing Farnborough way, I revert to what I know (a MATZ crossing from Farnborough Radar, something I've done many times) rather than something new. One quiet day when I've got a few more hours I'll give it a go, certainly, but even though I can see the logic when I'm looking at a half-mil chart on the ground it is hard to actually think about doing it when I'm up in the air.

In constrast Class-D is a known quantity - been there, done that (and been told to remain clear too). The worst that can happen is the same - remain clear - but I've never been taught that it's a place to avoid. That's the difference, I think.

Maybe we need psychological tests in the class-2 as well... :)

I guess i'm lucky in that i've never been refused clearance through class a...but having done it in a s.e.p. a few times, and at rather silly heights, you do start to wonder what the consequences are if the donkey has a bad day.
Maybe old (er) age age is making me value having an engine on each wing...just in case!!:rolleyes:

martinbakerfanclub
I'am with you on this one. Yes, it must be old(er) age, or mature wisdom, creeping up.

With 2 donkeys, I ask for SVFR across the Heathrow zone, either the usual western routes, or the short cut to/from Elstree to SE, if the City Airport is not too busy.

In SEPs, I go ROUND the zone. :)

Excellent comments from everyone (even you, Grim Reaper! :) )

Since I started the thread, I suppose I should really answer myself! I've never requested SVFR. But, having seen ATCO 2's comments on the original thread, I'll definitely give it a go the next time I'm going in that direction. Assuming the viz is good enough, of course - something which no one else has mentioned is that you need 10km viz for SVFR if you don't hold an IMC/IR.

I have to admit that I'm quite surprised by the results of the poll - there is a far higher percentage of people who have done the transition than would appear to be the case from talking to people around the club-house.

As for forced landings, from looking at the chart there seem to be plenty of options to the west of Heathrow, I can't say I'm worried about that at all. I would be far more worried going through the City Class D zone, which is almost entirely yellow on my half-mil chart, except for the blue bit across the middle.

Keep the replies coming!

FFF
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FFF,

Not true, your Honour.

I posted exactly that ages ago :)
So there :p

Rustle, you're correct, my humble apoligies.

FFF
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I have used SVFR several times to clip the NW & SW corners of the LHR zone. IMveryHO in terms of SEP land clear it is definitely feasible from 1000' anywhere except directly over Slough, which in any case is too easterly to be given approval. Again IMHO no other SVFR routes in a single through the LHR or LCY zones are legal. To be perfectly honest you don't need to be Pythagorus to realize that it doesn't save you a hell of a lot but what I do like about it is the radar service and separation I get from the very congested, not to say on a sunny weekend afternoon downright dangerous areas west of the zone and between LHR & LGW/LTN, when Farnborough/Brize can only give FIS due to workload. The very nice people at Heathrow have on more than one occasion continued to pass me traffic information even after leaving their zone along those busy corridors to the N & S.:)

FFF :)