FLYING ABROAD

Preparing for an Overseas trip

You must file a Flight Plan not less than 1 hour before you depart and remember you must also fax the customs / immigration form off 24hrs before you go. So it is best to have the required forms at home so you can do this before reaching the airfield

If your flight crosses a UK FIR boundary all flights (VMC) in class B - D airspace

Rule 20 of the ANO requires you to book out from an aerodrome.

Filing a Flight Plan constitutes compliance with this rule, So no need to book out as well.

You cannot file a Flight Plan more than 120 hrs in advance

You must file your Flight Plan with Manchester or Heathrow.
We can activate the Flight Plan when you depart from Fenland if the FISO is on duty (Saturdays and Sundays) or you should get someone to phone your departure time to the unit you sent the Flight Plan to.

It is not always possible to activate it with London Info.

If you a flying to a small airfield say in France who like Fenland are not connected to the AFTN then you must contact that airfield and arrange for someone to alert the authorities if you do not arrive, so it would always be better to land at a larger airfield then go on to your destination.

When coming back to Fenland the same applies if you have arranged your arrival to be when the (FISO) (Saturdays and Sundays only) is on duty then there is no problem, but if you are arriving back at any other time you must arrange for someone to alert the authorities if you do not arrive. You do not have to close a Flight Plan if you arrive and the FISO is on duty or if you have arranged for a responsible person to act for you.

If you cannot find anyone you can phone Manchester or Heathrow before you start your trip home and ask them to act in this capacity for you, but you must contact them as soon as you land and tell them you are back.

It is a good idea when departing from an airfield that faxes your Flight Plan on to a parent ATSU to fill in item 18 on the Flight Plan form and indicate who the parent unit is. I.e. Manchester or Heathrow.

Remember the French authorities have requested that you cross the channel at altitudes which will keep them within radar cover.

You must report crossing the coast outbound and at the FIR boundary when inbound.

If you divert from your Flight Plan you must inform your destination aerodrome within 30min of the ETA.

There is special form for the Isle of Man, Ireland and the Channel Isles.
You must complete a customs/immigration form and fax it 24 hrs before you depart.
Forms are available from Air Traffic (Fenland) who will also give you the fax number.
Tower open Saturdays and Sundays only
Remember Air Traffic is on the airfield to help you, any questions please ask.

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Information for flying abroad

A very interesting web-site is the french civil aviation web page.
http://www.sia.aviation-civile.gouv.fr/

Look for: sia - service d'information aeronautique. Controle et (translate this page)

When the page appears look towards the top right for a union jack and click on it.

This will change all the text to English.

Click on Notam either:

a) en route
b) narrow route
and complete the simple form. This will produce a very easy to read list of all Notams along your intended route.

On the same front page you can look at their on-line-shop.

If you click on "charts" you will find the vfr folder mentioned at our meeting (price 22 euros)

bon voyage ………. See you in Le Touquet!!!!

And on that very point, i would like to inform you that the joint "awayday" to Le Touquet will be held on June 9th (Saturday)

We would like anyone interested in joining in to contact either Lee Haunch or Chris Wright.

Experience is not necessary and having access to a plane is not essential - we will match people to planes so that as many as possible can partake.

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Class d transit

Route from Fenland to Tatenhill direct through east midlands class d airspace.

Contact should be made as soon as possible after talking to Cottesmore (weekends they may not be available and this means you can call East Midlands far sooner.

Leave Fenland and climb to 3500ft on QNH (direct to Tatenhill)

Contact Nottingham East Midlands approach on 134.175

R/T should go something like this:

East Midlands Approach This Is G-#### For Zone Transit.
East Midlands Radar - Pass Your Message.
G-#### Is A Pa28 From Fenland (Egcl) To Tatenhill. Direct, Currently 5miles West Of Cottesmore @ 3500ft QNH 1004, Heading 285 degrees, Request Zone Transit.
G-## Zone Transit Is Approved, Not Above 3500ft QNH 1006 - Squawk 2345
Just Read Back Exactly What He Says : Zone Transit Approved Not Above 3500ft QNH 1006 Squawk 2345

If The Controller Needs To Move You About In Either Height Or Direction He Will Ask You To:

(G-## Turn Left Heading 265 degrees And Descend To 3000ft QNH 1006
You Must Repeat Every Instruction As You Are In Controlled Airspace
Reply "G-## Turning Left To Heading 265 Degrees And Descending To 3000ft QNH 1006.

When You Are Clear Of The Airspace At The Western Side The Controller Will Release You And Ask You To "Resume Own Navigation And Ask You To Squawk 7000.

It's As Simple As That!!!

As You Progress And Get More Confident Your R/T Will Become More And More Confident And Will Allow You More Time As You Will Know What Is Coming Next.

Take It On And Stretch Your Enjoyment!!!

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