FLYER Club Member
Good morning fellow and budding aviators,
I’ve been lurking in the background for some time, reading news and forum posts with interest. Soon I intend to write about my own PPL journey and offer some encouragement for learners with slightly higher-than-average hours (I’m 44 years old, two-and-a-half years of learning, about 73 hours total and about to take my skills test on Sunday).
It’s a query about this skills test I wish to seek some expertise on. I know there’s often a response of “ask your instructor” but a) he’s out the country flying 737s at the moment, and 2) not sure advice can be sought from FI once your test is booked and route given.
My dilemma is this. The route I have been given is, as expected, two legs. The first leg I see as no problem, however very soon after turning onto the second leg, I’ll be flying directly over a busy parachute drop area (and gliding takes place too). I won’t give the exact route in case I subsequently identify my flying club, but let’s say I’ll be flying over Hinton-in-the-Hedges (mainly because I will be!).
If I were doing this post-PPL, I’d take a wide berth, however I have been told to “route direct” between my two points. Given Hinton is early on during the second leg, I doubt I’ll be diverted before I get there.
My options, as I see it, are as follows, and this is where I would appreciate any advice, or additional options thrown in:
1. Plan two routes. One routing direct, and the other to avoid overflying Hinton. Then explain my plans to the examiner during the pre-flight briefing and see what he says.
2. If I still have to fly direct, then ask for a basic service from Brize Radar (which is the nominated ATSU for Hinton-in-the-Hedges).
3. Call Hinton-in-the-Hedges directly on 119.455 and either seek permission (though they don’t have an ATZ), or inform them I’m coming through! (The latter doesn’t sound like great airmanship!)
Is there anything else people would consider? I’m favouring the first option to try to avoid flying over Hinton. I haven’t had this scenario in my training as, although I’ve flown over Husbands Bosworth, I feel watching out for gliders is a bit easier than parachutists suddenly falling out of the sky in front of me!
Any thoughts appreciated, and sorry my first post is seeking help!!
RtG
I’ve been lurking in the background for some time, reading news and forum posts with interest. Soon I intend to write about my own PPL journey and offer some encouragement for learners with slightly higher-than-average hours (I’m 44 years old, two-and-a-half years of learning, about 73 hours total and about to take my skills test on Sunday).
It’s a query about this skills test I wish to seek some expertise on. I know there’s often a response of “ask your instructor” but a) he’s out the country flying 737s at the moment, and 2) not sure advice can be sought from FI once your test is booked and route given.
My dilemma is this. The route I have been given is, as expected, two legs. The first leg I see as no problem, however very soon after turning onto the second leg, I’ll be flying directly over a busy parachute drop area (and gliding takes place too). I won’t give the exact route in case I subsequently identify my flying club, but let’s say I’ll be flying over Hinton-in-the-Hedges (mainly because I will be!).
If I were doing this post-PPL, I’d take a wide berth, however I have been told to “route direct” between my two points. Given Hinton is early on during the second leg, I doubt I’ll be diverted before I get there.
My options, as I see it, are as follows, and this is where I would appreciate any advice, or additional options thrown in:
1. Plan two routes. One routing direct, and the other to avoid overflying Hinton. Then explain my plans to the examiner during the pre-flight briefing and see what he says.
2. If I still have to fly direct, then ask for a basic service from Brize Radar (which is the nominated ATSU for Hinton-in-the-Hedges).
3. Call Hinton-in-the-Hedges directly on 119.455 and either seek permission (though they don’t have an ATZ), or inform them I’m coming through! (The latter doesn’t sound like great airmanship!)
Is there anything else people would consider? I’m favouring the first option to try to avoid flying over Hinton. I haven’t had this scenario in my training as, although I’ve flown over Husbands Bosworth, I feel watching out for gliders is a bit easier than parachutists suddenly falling out of the sky in front of me!
Any thoughts appreciated, and sorry my first post is seeking help!!
RtG
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