Sun Feb 14, 2010 6:33 pm
#834079
[places removed, hope that doesn't make it too confusing]
I'm well aware that the allocation of a squawk by a controller is not a clearance to enter controlled airspace. However, I made a mis-assumption along similar lines when a MATZ controller took my squawk off me before leaving a MATZ.
I was taking pax to see a city [C] under a MATZ, so planned to fly a straight line N through the MATZ, to the E of [C]. I thought I might request an orbit round [C] if I felt like it. Once outside the MATZ I would stay clear by continuing north to [D] then flying W as far as a line feature before heading S again. In the event:
controller: G-XX squawk 7000
me: G-XX, east of [C], not out of the MATZ yet
c: There's no traffic between you and the MATZ boundary
me: Roger, squawk 7000 G-XX
In my mind I completely let my guard down and thought I didn't need to consider airspace any more. I assumed it must be quiet, and the controller didn't want to keep tabs on me any more. I decided I could just orbit round [C] without asking. I asked my pax but as it happens they weren't bothered so I carried straight on to [D], just outside the MATZ. I turned to the westerly heading as planned, had good visual contact with the line feature, then decided to just go visual, gently turning towards the south.
c: unknown traffic north of the [X] MATZ, state your intentions.
I thought he wasn't talking to me because:
1. As far I as I was concerned, I'd just been in the [Y] CMATZ, and wasn't going as far N as the next [XX] MATZ. The unidentified aircraft must be up there.
2. I wasn't unknown, we had spoken a couple of minutes before.
It was only when I got home and looked at my GPS trace that I found I'd almost accidentally re-entered the MATZ, missing by about 200m.
Lessons learned:
1. Squawk 7000 doesn't mean you can do what you want now.
2. Stick to your plan, unless you're absolutely sure it's ok to do something else.
3. Know the names of all the MATZ you're crossing.
I'm well aware that the allocation of a squawk by a controller is not a clearance to enter controlled airspace. However, I made a mis-assumption along similar lines when a MATZ controller took my squawk off me before leaving a MATZ.
I was taking pax to see a city [C] under a MATZ, so planned to fly a straight line N through the MATZ, to the E of [C]. I thought I might request an orbit round [C] if I felt like it. Once outside the MATZ I would stay clear by continuing north to [D] then flying W as far as a line feature before heading S again. In the event:
controller: G-XX squawk 7000
me: G-XX, east of [C], not out of the MATZ yet
c: There's no traffic between you and the MATZ boundary
me: Roger, squawk 7000 G-XX
In my mind I completely let my guard down and thought I didn't need to consider airspace any more. I assumed it must be quiet, and the controller didn't want to keep tabs on me any more. I decided I could just orbit round [C] without asking. I asked my pax but as it happens they weren't bothered so I carried straight on to [D], just outside the MATZ. I turned to the westerly heading as planned, had good visual contact with the line feature, then decided to just go visual, gently turning towards the south.
c: unknown traffic north of the [X] MATZ, state your intentions.
I thought he wasn't talking to me because:
1. As far I as I was concerned, I'd just been in the [Y] CMATZ, and wasn't going as far N as the next [XX] MATZ. The unidentified aircraft must be up there.
2. I wasn't unknown, we had spoken a couple of minutes before.
It was only when I got home and looked at my GPS trace that I found I'd almost accidentally re-entered the MATZ, missing by about 200m.
Lessons learned:
1. Squawk 7000 doesn't mean you can do what you want now.
2. Stick to your plan, unless you're absolutely sure it's ok to do something else.
3. Know the names of all the MATZ you're crossing.