Sun Aug 19, 2018 8:03 pm
#1632333
I took my first jaunt across the Channel on Friday and found 2 things that were slightly awkward to deal with that I'd like to understand how to make better for next time.
1. Opening a flight plan
I'm based at Sandown IOW, which is a very nice place by the way, should you ever fancy a short journey across some water
The air/ground radio there doesn't have the facilities to open a flight plan, so I decided I'd ask London Information to deal with it for me ... and my word, that place is nothing short of a jungle! I have no idea how they cope with the load, let alone the poor quality and poor reception of the radio of half the users on there, the controller must be some sort of super human!
Sooooo, in similar situations what does everyone else do?
I think next time I'm going to get Solent Radar to do it for me. If I do that do I need to add them to the 'Address' section of the Flight Plan, or is that only necessary for the destinations that you're actually visiting. Ie can they just open it on the 'system' without actually needing to receive the flightplan prior.
Also, if I don't open it, is that a problem? So far as concerns crossing an international boundary, i assume the flightplan being in existence and them having it, without a departure time isn't sufficient?
2. Danger crossing service
After I'd opened my flight plan, I then switched to Plymouth Military to get a crossing service for D036 ... who weren't there So I then switched back to London {the jungle} and asked them, to be told that the danger area wasn't listed as active...
Again, what do people normally do in this situation? Am I better off simply phoning Plymouth before I leave, or will they not answer the phone either?
Col
1. Opening a flight plan
I'm based at Sandown IOW, which is a very nice place by the way, should you ever fancy a short journey across some water
The air/ground radio there doesn't have the facilities to open a flight plan, so I decided I'd ask London Information to deal with it for me ... and my word, that place is nothing short of a jungle! I have no idea how they cope with the load, let alone the poor quality and poor reception of the radio of half the users on there, the controller must be some sort of super human!
Sooooo, in similar situations what does everyone else do?
I think next time I'm going to get Solent Radar to do it for me. If I do that do I need to add them to the 'Address' section of the Flight Plan, or is that only necessary for the destinations that you're actually visiting. Ie can they just open it on the 'system' without actually needing to receive the flightplan prior.
Also, if I don't open it, is that a problem? So far as concerns crossing an international boundary, i assume the flightplan being in existence and them having it, without a departure time isn't sufficient?
2. Danger crossing service
After I'd opened my flight plan, I then switched to Plymouth Military to get a crossing service for D036 ... who weren't there So I then switched back to London {the jungle} and asked them, to be told that the danger area wasn't listed as active...
Again, what do people normally do in this situation? Am I better off simply phoning Plymouth before I leave, or will they not answer the phone either?
Col