FLY ON TRACK

D&D Could Use More "training fixes" at present

24-02-2010
The current reduction in flying due bad weather is contributing to a shortage of 'training fixes' for the D&D Cell on 121.5MHz who like a certain number to keep in 'fixing practice' and check software and equipment. If you get airborne in England/Wales and have time and capacity, why not listen out on 121.5MHz to see if 'busy', then " London Centre, G#### requests training fix, training fix, training fix" They try to position you to within +/- 3 nm using DF if you are at 2000' or above around the LTMA or 3000'(+) elsewhere, but it can be useful practice even if you are lower, but accuracy may suffer. Practice Pans also welcome. If you really are lost, just tell them, they don't bite, they just calmly 'fix' the situation, pun intended. To learn more about D&D read the D&D Pamphlet

Changes to Cross Channel VFR Route + New VRPs

15-03-2010 (update of earlier News)
In order to reduce the number of infringements controlled airspace and danger areas in the Solent area, the cross channel VFR recommended route to/from the Cherbourg Peninsula will be depicted on charts as commencing/terminating abeam St Catherine’s Point on the Isle of Wight. To help navigation, 6 new VRPs will be established beneath the Solent CTA: New VRPs at SPINNAKER TOWER BUTSER HILL MAST, BEAULIEU DISUSED, NEEDLES LIGHTHOUSE, ST CATHERINE'S POINT, HURST CASTLE. More information will follow when an AIC is published.

Outlook on Airspace News, Changes and Restrictions

03-02-2010
The first news-sheet of 2010 giving future Airspace related news, changes and planned restrictions known about at Feb 1st is now available. (More restrictions can spring up, check NOTAMs). The pdf contains notification of "RA(T)s" for Red Arrows displays in March, restrictions for the Cheltenham festival (also March), new VRPs for London City and the Solent Area, changes to the recommended VFR cross channel route towards Cherbourg, improvement tweaks to NOTAM checking via the AIS site, new contact details for 'charts', and the new Solent listening squawk scheme along with reminders of old favourites- the West Wales airport restriction and the TMZ under the Stansted CTA 'stubs'. See Latest Airspace News and Known Restrictions

"Listening Squawks" - Solent to Join In

11-01-2010

Solent Area gets a 'listening squawk'
The Solent area has a listening Squawk. The current list of listening squawks around England is:

0010 Birmingham 118.050 MHz
0011 Solent / Bournemouth 120.225 MHz / 119.475 MHz respectively
0012 Thames Radar/Gatwick 132.7 MHz / 126.825 MHz respectively
0013 Luton / Stansted 129.550 MHz / 120.625 MHz respectively
6170 Doncaster Approach 126.225 MHz
7366 Manchester 118.575 MHz

Remember usual rules apply, you are not in receipt of a service and you must stay in Class G airspace, you cannot enter the CTA or CTR. Go back to another suitable squawk (eg: 7000-C) when you move away from the area or stop monitoring.

New Cap413 & Interactive R/T Guide

15-12-09
A new version of CAP413 has been released, (www.caa.co.uk/cap413) and if you want some practice, don't forget the new shorter CAA interactive guide for G.A. radio users - see/read/hear: http://www.caa.co.uk/cap413supplement3

Two "New from NATS" ideas

29-11-2009
Two 'announcements' from NATS:

NATS have announced an endorsement of an airspace warning device - moving map CAA chart, free airspace data downloads, warnings of airspace, and 'locator' information, all for around £150. See http://www.airspaceaware.com/
There's a new DVD released this weekend from NATS. It's free, being distributed up at the The Flying Show, also on a magazine cover this month, available in various other ways soon, including the ability to access it (for free) on a NATS site. Details to follow when it is available onlone. It's 'VFR around the LTMA'. You'll get the London area split into about 6 'legs' and you can download a short video clip 'briefing' on the leg including things to look for and mistakes people make, and 'video fly' the route seeing the chart, good video of the route, and cockpit discussion 'interlaced' as it progresses

Now Get FlyOnTrack HOTNEWS Alerts via Twitter

27-05-09 onwards
Hot News Alerts - flyontrack on twitter

Stansted TMZ (Mode C Mandatory) from 24/9/2009

24-07-2009
Stansted will have a mandatory Mode C area in the Class 'G' airspace under the current 'CTA end stubs' from 24.09.2009, with local agreements for airfields and strips - see the document for full details of area and arrangements, and contact any destinations in the TMZ for more info - for example, North Weald. See the news item above on 'known restrictions' for a schematic of the relevant airspace.

Kneeboard Sized Help for Manchester Low Level Route

14-07-2009
There are a number of guides for VFR pilots operating close to controlled airspace around provincial airports around the country, the most famous and perhaps the first was the guide to the Manchester Low Level Route. (The list of guides is on the LINKS page on this site.) Manchester have now another initiative along the same lines - a double sided kneepad 'insert' to help the pilot with the low level route, plenty of advice and photos of what you should be seeing as you progress.
The two sides to the kneeboard insert are here, thanks to the Barton airfield site:
side one
side two

Faxing Flight Plans? New Contact Details

24-01-2009
Faxing flightplans? The Swanwick Air Traffic Control Centre manage flightplans now. AFPEx gives your own online filing system (registration required). Pilots who do not have an AFPEx account should fax FPL and associated messages to 01489 61 2793 ensuring that they are correctly addressed.There is a 24 hour Helpdesk for all enquiries 0845 601 0483 or 01489 612792. The Helpdesk AFTN address is EGGGYFAJ. Useful links: www.flightplanningonline.co.uk for AFPEx registration and use