Flying in England is VERY different! Hear radio calls, see unique procedures, watch me fly around England dodging military jets and active danger areas through some of England’s busiest airspace, from Shoreham Airport to Duxford Air Museum on this very busy flight.
I’m flying a Cirrus SR22T around England to get used to UK ATC and procedures. If you want to do something similar in the UK/Europe talk to my friend Philippe who can assist with flight training and aircraft hire: https://www.echelonair.com/
Here’s what AI said about this video: “Join me on a captivating flying adventure from Shoreham to Duxford, where I embark on a remarkable journey through the skies of England. As I took flight, I found myself immersed in a labyrinth of intricately designed airspace regulations and procedures, each one holding valuable lessons waiting to be learned. Amidst the breathtaking landscapes of the English countryside, I navigated through controlled airspace, uncovering the intricacies of air traffic control communications and gaining a deeper understanding of the UK’s flight procedures. From the bustling airspace surrounding London to the serene expanses of rural England, I encountered diverse challenges that honed my piloting skills and instilled in me a newfound appreciation for the complexities of flying in this magnificent country. This thrilling expedition not only tested my aeronautical knowledge but also taught me the significance of adaptability and precision when traversing the skies above England. Join me as I conquer the skies and emerge from this unforgettable journey with newfound expertise in navigating the UK airspace.”. I’m not sure I “conquered the skies” nor was it really a “labyrinth”, but thanks AI for giving this one a good try.
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VERY IMPORTANT: I am a private pilot and am NOT qualified to give flying instruction. This video, like all videos on this channel, has been significantly edited from the original source footage and is provided for entertainment purposes only. Many radio calls and procedures have been omitted. If you have any questions about anything you see or hear, please speak to a Certified Flying Instructor first.
36 Comments
Normally staying with LARS is the easiest thing to do. I’m based at Shoreham and most of the time it’s unnecessary to speak to each individual airfield you pass (like Lydd), unless it’s through their ATZ. Great video!
Hi Stef, great to get your insight into flying GA VFR in the UK. I guess because we don't know or can do anything differently (although I've flown in Sydney and the Bay Area and San Fran in the US so got a flavour for other countries) we just get on with it and accept the limitations of our non-integrated ATC and airspace restrictions – although in the South East the congestion around pinch points between Class D and G airspace make it a challenge on busy days. I've done the routes you've flown while in the UK, had great day out at Duxford the other year, and you got to park on the posh bit – I was on the grass in front of the tower 🙂and also down to the South Coast a few times over the QE2 bridge overnighting at Goodwood then back round the coast to the RAF memorial at Dover and back to York. But above all glad you had fun and managed to recapture some of the moments from your childhood which inspired you to get into aviation (and no doubt technology too) in the first place.
Duxford is an awesome place.
Confused by your route, but see it was a jolly around before going to Duxford.
That disused aerodrome you were unsure about would probably have been the old RAF Sculthorpe, now used for training parachute drops
Lovely video – many thanks!
Should go to fairoaks airport and fly around McLaren technology centre
I think you got a really good picture of what it’s like flying in parts of the UK. Well done getting to grips with our bizarre ‘services’! ‘What service do you require? – actually, we can’t give you a service…why did you call us?!!! You did great as a ‘foreigner’ – you were well briefed. Welcome to the ‘best place in the world for general aviation! ‘
Just so you know, in the UK, ALWAYS keep the coastline on your left, less like to have a midair. I passed my ppl at Shoreham last millennium (1982) lol
15:15…. why would you cut the approach like that?
Holbeach is a live firing range for the military aircraft of the UK.
Love this one Stef! ❤
I think the big airfield you referred to is RAF Sculthorpe in Norfolk. It is a disused USAF base where I lived for a few years in the 70’s.
Try not to use radar so much and develop the roving, Mk1 eyeballs
In that area near King Lyne that’s RAF Marham (IATA: KNF, ICAO: EGYM) but you said not on your maps. It’s the home of F35’s
Or RAF West Raynham, now closed
You inspired me to do this flight from Shoreham yesterday. What a great decision! Duxford is such a cool airport! Ended up parked next to one of the Spitfires, and really enjoyed all the exhibits. Highly recommend a visit!
Nothing humbling there, Stef. I find the pointless complexity of English air traffic management baffling. You handled it like a champ.
That airfield at 10:18 looks to be MoD Sculthorpe – ex RAF Sculthorpe (now Heritage Centre) – which I think was USAF Nuclear Deterrant against the USSR. D207 is a weapons range.
Great to see one of my favourite Aviation content creators flying around my home county of Norfolk.
Really enjoyed that; you coped admirably. You were in my airspace – Lydd, Ashford etc. And believe me, those places are SO much better from the air than on the ground. Safe travels.
great video! A little tip, you can just reply "Wilco" to any "Report …" from ATC. Saves words and makes you life just that little easier 🙂
What a fantastic video. – I have been following your adventures for a while now. From the days when you had "Milkshake" as your co-pilot. I discovered your YT channel and Instagram as I was touring Australia as part of a Simulation World Tour. I have grown up with Duxford on my doorstep and have spent MANY an airshow there. It's mind blowing to see that a pilot I follow and admire as much is now hitting up my local spot. I wouldn't have expected to see this!
In reference to your Spitfire > Mustang comment. I certainly love both wonderful aircraft but being British myself, I should side with the Supermarine Icon.
— Infact — I actually have a rather special project that you might be interested in. I am a traditional leathercrafter making wallets. My latest venture is pretty special for aviation enthusiasts. – I have combined the A.W. Hainsworth "RAF Blue" fabric (The official one of the Royal Air Force Uniform) with leather from the Charles F. Stead Tannery in Leeds. Known for having a history of providing leather gloves/helmets/boots etc for WW2 Pilots.
If you are still in the local area (UK) I would love to present you with one of these very special wallets and get to shake your hand if you would be accommodating.
Keep the awesome videos coming and may your sky always be blue.
Chris
you flew over rye thats amazing i live near there.
lol
10:16 the disused airfield is Sculthorpe https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sculthorpe_Training_Area
D207 is an air weapons range 🙂
You must have inherited some family money. You have to much fun and not enough working 😂😂😂 jk jk
Stansted/essex radar would’ve been a good one to contact would’ve covered you east as you went lakenheath then NW Cambridge into duxford 120.625. Loved the video!!
The RAF don't work weekends! Hence why you didn't get a call from any of the RAF bases you called! Bar Lakenheath which is actually USAF.
So cool.
I flew mainly vfr in the South West in the 80's. Every time I changed ATC areas I had to announce callsign, craft type, souls on board, heading, altitude, takeoff airfield and destination, eta destination. It was an absolute pain! Sounds like it's been somewhat simplified?
Sculthorpe is the old air base and seen U2 take off from airfield a few times but use to have C130 And not 100% longest runway in area and still used by MOD on odds times and maintained. But did shut in 1992 and now industrial Estate. Holbeach is restricted as range for jets and use to have floating targets out to sea.
Somehow YouTube suggested I watched your video to Shoreham – couldn’t help but watch the flight to excellent museum at Duxford, you now have a new subscriber.
I guess your flight was on a weekend? RAF Marham………(Cricket noises)
I'm based at Earls Colne just north of Southend, so you probably flew very close to us. The airspace in south east england is pretty congested isn't it! I flew back from Manchester over the weekend and that was a bit less "busy" – I was with London Information most of the way back which made things a bit easier on the radio and squawks 👍👍
Great Video, the 15 year old me was the same as the 15 year old you, my aircraft is now based at Duxford, sadly not a Spitfire though.
Loved this video Stef, It takes me back to my Qualifying Cross Country solo from Biggin via Cambridge and Southend, back in the 90's. Your flight is indicative of the tiny airspace over the UK with it being one of the most crowded. "Pass your message" in my mind is about control.. yes, ATC is in control, but they are a service, and should attempt at all times to comply with your request. This is sometimes confusing, particularly for first time US GA pilots. Military airspace units being closed (offline) at weekends always amuses me! Well done to you.