Primarily for general aviation discussion, but other aviation topics are also welcome.
#1859459
Hi

"When I were a lad", we would pass the place, when travelling on the A59, and always wondered what was going on in the large "golf balls". There were always plenty of american cars commuting to it.

Fast forwards to today. I was flying in the area, mindful of Leeds CTA at 3000' and CTR nearby, and wondered what would happen if I happened to fly directly over those things which are not marked on the map? I mean, if it is not shown on the map, how do I know if I have to avoid it.

Would I expect a knock on the door from men in black sedans, with earpieces and microphones in the sleeves?

As it was CAVOK, and being cautious, I decided to give the area a wide birth.

Ps. It would make a great VRP if it was on the map.
#1859500
tb10er wrote:Hi

I mean, if it is not shown on the map, how do I know if I have to avoid it.

I decided to give the area a wide birth.



a) Because it doesn't have any restricted airspace on the map.
b) Why, given a) would you do that?

I've been over Faslane submarine base just above the upper limit, that is why there is a limit, so one can happily be above it.

Also the SAS base with it's numerous aircraft fuselages, no restrictions there either.
#1859503
Since I like looking at disused airfields from the air and scoping them out, I was curious about one not far from me called Welford. I used to orbit it to see if I could figure out what it was now used for.

Then one day someone told me! :D :shock: It was about the same time I drove past it and saw it had a double fence and heavily armed guards patrolling it!

For many years I'd wondered what the "Works unit only" sign off the M4 was for and why it was in red...
#1859894
The fact that neither RAF Menwith Hill nor any of these places:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GCHQ_Scarborough
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GCHQ_Bude
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RAF_Digby

.. has a HIRTA, whereas

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RAF_Croughton
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RAF_Oakhanger

.. have, and ..

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RAF_Blakehill_Farm

.. used to have, rather suggest to me that they have different roles; and that flying as low as otherwise and ordinarily permitted over the first lot is most unlikely to hurt you (or your aircraft's gadgetry) nor will you them. :)
#1860159
Sir Morley Steven wrote:That's the place where they monitor the microchips in our vaccinations.


Nah, I have it on good authority (a bloke I met down the pub) that our American cousins at Mendip monitor all electronic traffic looking for certain words (eg Al Qaeda, Semtex, EDL )
I shared this information with all my contacts in my address book :lol: