Primarily for general aviation discussion, but other aviation topics are also welcome.
#1850464
Today, 1 June 2021 marks the launch of a 1-year trial of ‘VHF LL Common’ an information service on the VHF Frequency 130.490. The aim is to reduce the risk of Mid-Air Collision between aircraft operating at or below 2000’ Above Ground Level. It is available for use by all aircrew, military and civilian, operating in the UK Low Flying System.

https://www.caa.co.uk/General-aviation/ ... ncy-Trial/

The military already have two UHF frequencies for low level blind calls, mainly helicopters in my neck of the wood. Will they now go over to this VHF freq?
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By GrahamB
FLYER Club Member  FLYER Club Member
#1850467
vintage ATCO wrote:The military already have two UHF frequencies for low level blind calls, mainly helicopters in my neck of the wood. Will they now go over to this VHF freq?

Yes, for the 12 month period of the trial, according to the Mil. Document referenced on the CAA site.
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By PeteSpencer
FLYER Club Member  FLYER Club Member
#1850468
Will this apply (I think I know the answer) to the Cousins screaming in low level (sorry, recovering ) to Lakenheath from their N Sea playgrounds?

I guess this just refers to promulgated low level areas but I'd sure be happy if Wattisham's Apaches would use it!..

Particularly now that Knettishall is on the military charts !!!! Yay.!
#1850471
It is probably just me but I don't get it.

Today for instance I was bimbling around Suffolk and Essex. Sometimes below 2000 ft, sometimes above. Nobody to talk to on the radio, I even tuned in to listen to London Info just to make certain the radio was still receiving.

Under this new system, how many calls was I supposed to make on the common frequency? My track looked like a drunken snail's so there was no logical place that would be useful to the Hawks from Valley entering the Mach Loop.

Confused? I am.

When safe and suitable to do so - Safe all the time, suitable? No idea.
When entering/exiting the Low Flying System - Well I was bobbing up and down a lot of the time so that gives me lots of opportunity I suppose.
At turning points or significant heading changes - Lots of those
Approaching well-known and recognisable physical features - Lots of those too. Bungay Museum, Southwold, Bentwaters disused, Woodbridge disused, Harwich docks, Nayland International, Sudbury town, Rougham, Eye, etc ...
Any time it is considered beneficial to the safety of the aircraft - At last one that didn't apply

Rob P
Last edited by Rob P on Tue Jun 01, 2021 4:43 pm, edited 1 time in total.
matthew_w100, Shoestring Flyer, JAFO and 1 others liked this
#1850472
This seems to me to be a very odd thing to do! More unthought through thinking! :roll:
We already have Safety Com on 135.480 that most pilots within a few miles and well below 2000ft use when close to an unmanned airstrip so why oh why do we need yet another frequency to add to the mix! :evil:
Last edited by Shoestring Flyer on Tue Jun 01, 2021 4:40 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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By bilko2
FLYER Club Member  FLYER Club Member
#1850478
IMHO having some digital device looking for EC signals from other aircraft (military or not) seems much more sensible.

This LL frequency makes pilots feel happy and active, it may even be useful in the valleys of Scotland, for me in flat Dorset listening to Chinooks in Essex, not so much.
IFly172, rdfb liked this
#1850537
Bilko , 'Flat Dorset' .... bit like mountainous E Angular ..... hat , coat , door ..

We deffo get lots of mil coming around the local hills , up the col between one hill and another , and pushing over some hiltops . Never mind Herks LL back from Poole Harbour , Hawks on FAC training attacking hillforts ; and Helis trying to put our fire out by blowing down the 'chimbley .
Long may they all continue .

rgds condor , N Daarset .
#1850539
Is there a chart giving an overview of the low flying areas?

In principle I am all in favour of an area based common frequency for all users, rather than risk running into a glider/helicopter/microlight/whatever who may all be giving position information on a different frequency.
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By PeteSpencer
FLYER Club Member  FLYER Club Member
#1850543
matthew_w100 wrote:Isn't the Low Flying Area also called "everywhere"?


When I learnt to fly in the early 90s in EastAnglia military fast tin was active at Bentwaters ,Woodbridge, Wattisham, Honington , Coltishall,Marham Lakenheath and Mildenhall and the mantra drummed into us studes was

‘After takeoff get above 2000ft as fast as possible and stay there.’

Kinda stuck with me I guess :roll: :shock:

Indeed a pair of Tornadoes recovering to Honington flew under us during my NFT just west of Bury and student C 150 from Norwich was taken out by an A10 from Bentwaters IIRC in 1990s
Last edited by PeteSpencer on Tue Jun 01, 2021 10:28 pm, edited 2 times in total.