Re: Danger Area Notams (are rubbish)
PostPosted:Fri Aug 19, 2016 2:43 pm
Indeed - Better to fly those extra miles and be in a condition to tell the tale afterwards!
Stu B wrote:As regards the status of Plymouthy Mil, notaam EGTT B/1319/16 from 29 Jul 11:00 to 26 Aug 13:00 states:
"Plymouth Military Lower Airspace RadarService and Danger Area Crossing Service unavailable. Danger Area Crossing Service available from Swanwick Military. ...(Followed by list of dates/times).
This info was available by one tap on the map on the free "UK Airspace Avoid" app and similarly on the EasyVFR subscription App. Apps nowadays have copious, comprehensive, up-to-date info on Notams, airspace, airfields, etc immediately available. Sadly perhaps not all users appreciate the full potential of the systems available to them or know how to exploit it.
(Other GPS navigation/airspace awareness/flight planning apps are available, though I have not tested whether others similarly instantly provide this particular notam)
Plus
The number of notams related to an ATSU's area is vastly more than those relevant to any one planned flight, and anyway they don't know what you need unless you ask. Did you ask them whether Plymouth Mil was working? Either way, having self-briefed on all notams relevant to your intended route remains a pilot's responsibility and these days is not at all difficult. Remember, P P P P P P. P
G-BLEW wrote:Stu B wrote:The number of notams related to an ATSU's area is vastly more than those relevant to any one planned flight, and anyway they don't know what you need unless you ask. Did you ask them whether Plymouth Mil was working? Either way, having self-briefed on all notams relevant to your intended route remains a pilot's responsibility and these days is not at all difficult. Remember, PPPPPP.
In my example I 'knew' that 13, 14 and 17 were active (according to the NOTAM), I was speaking to London as they'd just activated my flight plan, and they told me that Plymouth Mil were on their summer hols and that 13, 14 and 17 were not active. I double checked with them (having read a NOTAM saying they were active).
South of 50N my route took me through LFD18A and LFD18B, both danger areas that were not NOTAMed as active – Brest told me they were in fact active, but provided a crossing service after liaising with Armor for me.
In this particular example pre-flight briefing information proved to be 100% wrong - which is why I consider any pre-flight DA status info as a possibility only, best to verify by talking to the appropriate unit.
Ian