rikur_ wrote:Just to add that in some areas a BS request is a curtesy to ATC .... e.g. if passing with 15nm east of Humberside you are encouraged to call up for a BS to help maintain a known traffic environment through their arrivals/departures.
Exeter and Newquay are similar. Anywhere with big passenger aeroplanes but no Class D.
I flew to Leicester from Popham on Thursday. I started out on Popham's frequency obviously talking to them. For the rest of the flight I tuned in:
1) Benson - I didn't talk to them and stayed in the outer regions of their MATZ
2) Oxford Radar - Didn't talk to them but monitored for interest
3) Turweston - I was passing through their overhead, above what would have been ATZ level if they had one, and I did give them a quick shout just for a heads-up
4) Leicester - talked to them and landed
Flying back was the same in reverse except this time I didn't speak to Turweston as I was a bit further out.
Today I flew to Sandown. So Popham, monitored Solent as I went past, then to Sandown who didn't have anyone on A/G so just made circuit calls. Same in reverse on the way back.
If I'm flying around north or south of London, I'll tune in Farnborough, though usually won't speak to them.
I only tune in and call London Information if I want something done with a flight plan or weather.