Ignoring NOTAM's

[Lefty]

Despite the technology that makes it really easy - there still seems to be a sizeable number of pilots who either don't bother to look up - or choose to totally ignore NOTAM's.

I attended an event on Saturday at the National Memorial Aboretum (3nm north of Lichfield town).

The event was a rather solumn memorial ceremony - with a BBMF flypast scheduled for 1250 L - and NOTAM'd. Yet throughout the NOTAM'd period the site was overflown by at least 6-8 microlights and 3 helicopters at between 2-500 feet - which caused the BBMF flypast and mini display to be delayed by approx. 15 minutes. One rather noisy Blue R44 orbitted the site at least three times - drowning out the ceromonies and music - and disrupting a very moving event for several hundred people.

Why didn't these pilots know there was an active NOTAM - and if they did, why did they ignore it?

If you flew over a crowd of nearly 1000 people at a memorial site - would you not realise that you flying around at low level might be disruptive to those on the ground? Would you care?

The Nationbal Memoerial Aboretum is the UK's primary memorial for servicemen that have died in conflict since WW2 - and even when there is no special event on - it is visited by thousands of people reflecting on those that have given their lives (often thier family or friends). This particular event was attended by approx 7-800 people including a bevvy of current and retired senior RAF Officers, about 4 Lords - and a number of MP's and senior Civil Servants. These are people who are both knowledgable about flying - and potentially quite influential. Very unfortunately, the inconsiderate behaviour of these pilots was one of the hot topics over lunch.

I know there are three microlight strips within a couple of miles of the site as just a couple of weeks ago I was researching how I could fly to the event - but decided to use Tatenhill (closer to where my lift lives). I assume that all of the locally based pilots know of the significance of the Aboretum site - and will avoid overflying it. But perhaps more could be done to ensure visiting pilots don't uncessarilly intrude into people's grief and solitude at these kind of locations.

(Rant mode off)

Edited - perhaps the CAA should be asked to mark it on the charts?

[pb6797]

To save us having to look it up, what did the NOTAM say?

There are often 5-6 "BBMF flypast" NOTAMS per day during the summer and they are generally not a restricted area, although you'd rather expect people to avoid them anyway.

However, the only way people would know that this was a memorial ceremony rather than a village fete is if it specifically said so in the NOTAM.

Bit confused about the 200 feet bit though!

[Lefty]

To save us having to look it up, what did the NOTAM say?

There are often 5-6 "BBMF flypast" NOTAMS per day during the summer and they are generally not a restricted area, although you'd rather expect people to avoid them anyway.

However, the only way people would know that this was a memorial ceremony rather than a village fete is if it specifically said so in the NOTAM.

Bit confused about the 200 feet bit though!

Sorry - I didn't print out the NOTAm - and don't know how to look it up retrospectively. However (a) Skydemon picked it up and (b) From memory, I think it mentioned Lichfield as the location- but didn't say anything about it being the National Memorial.

However because of what it is - there are memorial ceremonies of one sort or another almost every week.

[RisePilot]

I’ve always noted how poorly NOTAMs are written up on most services and the inability to sort them in manner that is useful to the individual pilot. Example: I don’t care if there’s a crane erected near Northolt or if they need to change a light bulb on one of Heathrow’s runways – I am concerned about things like going through a Red Arrows display or a group of people flying model airplanes up to 500ft (because I’m in a helicopter and may be at 500ft myself).

We’re finally getting some sources for graphical NOTAMS, but still have to wade through a load on non-relevant info to find what affects us. Not making a joke, but I had to Google “National Memorial Aboretum” as I didn’t know what it is either.

We live in a country where you drive to an intersection and arrive at a sign showing LEFT for “Whippy Village” & RIGHT for “Lower Thumping” (fictitious names – I’m assuming). What’s wrong with saying EAST or WEST on the road sign? Yes the country isn’t much bigger than a postage stamp, but not everyone has an encyclopaedic knowledge of all locations.

[eharding]

To save us having to look it up, what did the NOTAM say?

There are often 5-6 "BBMF flypast" NOTAMS per day during the summer and they are generally not a restricted area, although you'd rather expect people to avoid them anyway.

However, the only way people would know that this was a memorial ceremony rather than a village fete is if it specifically said so in the NOTAM.

Bit confused about the 200 feet bit though!

Sorry - I didn't print out the NOTAm - and don't know how to look it up retrospectively. However (a) Skydemon picked it up and (b) From memory, I think it mentioned Lichfield as the location- but didn't say anything about it being the National Memorial.

However because of what it is - there are memorial ceremonies of one sort or another almost every week.

Lefty, I think the one you are referring to is this:

H1381/12

Mentions Alweras, rather than Lichfield.

[johnm]

It seems to me that since there was only a 30 min window for a flying display many of those pilots might well have read it and not realised anything else.

It seems to me also that there would be a case for a restricted area of 2 nm diameter up to 1500ft or even 2400 ft to address the sensitivity issues that Lefty quite reasonably raises.

[Winhern]

I was just thinking that
Wonder if we could get the clever chappies at SkyDemon, Aware etc to add a checkbox so that we can specify the display is in local time?

[Rod1]

Some may have not bothered looking. Many would have seen a nav warning and kept a good lookout. A nav warning will not give you restricted airspace. The Notam is in the corridor between Brum and East Mids. It is a very very busy bit of airspace.

Rod1

[Sir Morley Steven]

People who don't look at NOTAMs are selfish stupid pharckers who simply make things worse for everybody. Did you get any registrations?

[Johnny]

Sir, NOTAMS are notoriously poor at communicating information. They have been for as many years as I have been involved in aviation. It is no surprise to me that they are not read and even if they are it would be no surprise if punters miss information. After reading I am always left with an overriding dilemma - what did I miss

[peterh337]

It's obvious from how many turn up at Shoreham and don't know the ATIS has changed that perhaps 50% don't get notams (not "notam's" BTW ).

But to be fair I tend to ignore notams unless they notify something prohibited or something relevant (like a duff VOR and it's an IFR training flight). There are so many notams of c r a p like people flying kites that the whole system is a bit of a joke. A good strategy is to do a Narrow Route Briefing and then just scan the E) lines... There are so many notams about flights by military or survey aircraft not complying with the Rules of the Air... I thought that nobody complies with them anyway, in Class G Class G is Class G. They may as well notify that the RAF may be flying at all.

[AndyR]

Re Shoreham, the number that turn up clearly not having read the NOTAM advising that PPR is required for non resident aircraft too!

I told one student at the weekend that if they didn't turn up with proof of having read NOTAM next time I won't fly with them, tired of them never bothering (they are post PPL and learned elsewhere).

There are many that don't even look at them, rather than ignoring them in my experience. it is very easy these days.

[Aerobat152]

Experienced Shoreham first hand yesterday Andy and the amount of people who stated 'couldn't get the atis'

One pilot was told 'thats because it's changed, you probably missed the Notams about PPR too' at which point the pilot commented 'if your PPR you can stick it bye bye'

How unprofessional and rude just to cover his embarrassment of not checking the notams!

[flybymike]

What is the reason for PPR at somewhere like Shoreham?
Edit. I have not checked the NOTAMS before posting this question

[eharding]

What is the reason for PPR at somewhere like Shoreham?
Edit. I have not checked the NOTAMS before posting this question

<jar jar binks>How wude!</jar jar binks>

Does beg the question though - no matter how exasperated, an ATS unit that resorts to sarcasm over the air is probably more deserving of an MOR for unprofessional behaviour than the unenlightened customers?