[Billstone]

I need to fly round a DA tomorrow, but would like to fly through it if possible. Its all new to me. The DA says active every day, then gives a contact number and frequency; does this mean its ok to phone up / call up and ask if the DA is active?

[Tall_Guy_In_a_PA28]

Even if a DA is active, a crossing service is often available. No harm in calling on the landline, but do not expect whoever answers to immediately understand what you are talking about - you may have to explain the context of your call.

If you tell us which DA it is, someone here may have 1st hand experience.

[chevvron]

I need to fly round a DA tomorrow, but would like to fly through it if possible. Its all new to me. The DA says active every day, then gives a contact number and frequency; does this mean its ok to phone up / call up and ask if the DA is active?

Depends on the type of activity (you haven't said which DA it is) and what type of service the notified frequency offers.
If it's Danger Area Activity Information Service (DAAIS), they will know if the DA is active but will not be able to clear you through.
If it's Danger Area Crossing Service (DACS) they may be able to clear you through subject to the activity.
If you look along the bottom of a CAA published half mil, it will tell you what type of service is offered.
No harm trying to ring them as well though but you'll need to look in the AIP to find ot the actual name of the DA; often the operators (especially pongos) aren't aware of the DA number.

[Paul_Sengupta]

I recently phoned the number for D036 and they said that they're always notified as active (weekdays) so I would have to call up on the radio to see if they were actually active when I wanted to cross. They said they were sometimes notified by those who were using it with as little as 5 minutes notice!

[Billstone]

Its DA 124 and upwards, North of Old Sarum. I'm going to ave toget home and look up the correct telephony for asking to transit a DA. Thanks for all the advice and information.

[chevvron]

Its DA 124 and upwards, North of Old Sarum. I'm going to ave toget home and look up the correct telephony for asking to transit a DA. Thanks for all the advice and information.

D124 aka 'Lavington' is where they 'prove' the barrels of artillery weapons by firing the shell vertically upwards, the height it reaches being dependent on the size of the propellant charge used.
Don't ask me how they avoid the shell when it comes back down 'cos I don't know!
I can remember an AN2 flying through the Salisbury Plain ranges some years ago on a sunday without clearance; the army were not amused as they had to stop firing and the pilot was heavily fined for endangering the safety of his aircraft.

[Lefty]

People do (very) occasionally get a clearance through those DA’s on weekends, but rarely on weekdays.

[Talkdownman]

Salisbury Plain Training Area (SPTA) DAAIS Recording 130.150 MHz / 01980 674739.
Human VoxComms 01980 674710/730

[Stu B]

Recorded message at weekends usually states areas active to (only) 3,000'AMSL (I've never heard lower).
Beware of D126, D128 at the eastern end of the complex - standard top limits of 1,400 AMSL are quite frequently *substantially* raised by NOTAMs (even sometimes at weekends IIRC).

[TopCat]

Has anyone ever had a reply from Salisbury Ops?

[David Wood]

Has anyone ever had a reply from Salisbury Ops?

Yep. Occasionally I've wanted to fly over the danger areas, usually because a passenger wants to see something specific. Salisbury Ops have invariably been very helpful if they can. However I once got reported to the CAA for, errr I'm not sure what, by a member of the public I presume who was surprised to see me flying where light aeroplanes don't usually fly. Once the facts were explained the CAA were very understanding.

[defcribed]

D124 aka 'Lavington' is where they 'prove' the barrels of artillery weapons

Horribly nerdy point of order with regard to the English language:

A barrel (or weapon) is proofed, not proven. Thus they do not prove the barrels, they proof them.

</t*sser mode off>

[chevvron]

Has anyone ever had a reply from Salisbury Ops?

If no reply from Salisbury Ops, try Netheravon Info on 128.3; it's often the same person doing both.

[GrahamB]

D124 aka 'Lavington' is where they 'prove' the barrels of artillery weapons

Horribly nerdy point of order with regard to the English language:

A barrel (or weapon) is proofed, not proven. Thus they do not prove the barrels, they proof them.

</t*sser mode off>

Further pont of order.

Small arms barrels are ‘proved’ (not ‘proven’ nor ‘proofed’) by a ‘Proof House’. A barrel which has failed, or not been submitted to, proof is termed ‘unproved’.

I would assume the same terms would be applied to larger bore weapons as well.

[defcribed]

D124 aka 'Lavington' is where they 'prove' the barrels of artillery weapons

Horribly nerdy point of order with regard to the English language:

A barrel (or weapon) is proofed, not proven. Thus they do not prove the barrels, they proof them.

</t*sser mode off>

Further pont of order.

Small arms barrels are ‘proved’ (not ‘proven’ nor ‘proofed’) by a ‘Proof House’. A barrel which has failed, or not been submitted to, proof is termed ‘unproved’.

I would assume the same terms would be applied to larger bore weapons as well.

You appear to be correct, my apologies, although proofed/proofing do appear to be in relatively common usage in shooting circles so it is hard to be sure.