VFR Trip from Blackbushe EGLK to Cardiff EGFF

[drclive]

I'm planning a VFR flight from Blackbushe, UK EGLK to Cardiff EGFF.
Can anybody that has landed into Cardiff before give me any guidelines
or tips on this trip. I'm a low hours pilot and any advices are more
than welcome. Thanks in advance.

[Andy R]

Post by drclive
I'm planning a VFR flight from Blackbushe, UK EGLK to Cardiff EGFF.
Can anybody that has landed into Cardiff before give me any guidelines
or tips on this trip. I'm a low hours pilot and any advices are more
than welcome. Thanks in advance.

I don't know the particular trip you're doing but something I usually do,
especially if going somewhere a bit unusual, is call ATC at the destination
by phone beforehand. Explain to them that you're relatively inexperienced
and most of the time you'll get a decent brief and useful local info.

Also http://www.ais.org.uk/aes/pubs/aip/html/egff.htm is essential reading.

Rgds

Andy R

[Bernard Foot]

Pooleys has the information you need - just make sure you study it and plan
your arrival/departure carefully. A few points though:

1) Before landing, make sure you tell ATC you want to go to the South side,
where the flying club is. Otherwise you'll end up at the main terminal and
you'll end up paying a handling charge on top of your landing fee. If you're
being met at the airport, make sure your party knows to go to the flying
club and not to the terminal.
2) Remember that unless specifically told otherwise by ATC, your departure
clearance will only be up to 1500' QNH. (I was lucky once - I had forgotten,
but ATC checked I was aware of this as the 2 preceding light aircraft had
busted the limit.)
3) The controlled airspace around Cardiff and Bristol is changing from 31
August. This will be defined in AIC 96/2006 due to be published on 20th
July.
4) Be prepared to orbit at any point of your arrival to make way for
commercial traffic - and brush up on separation requirements behind large
aircraft.
5) There are 2 tall TV masts near the airport, both of which are VRPs. Apart
from being potential obstructions, make sure you're heading for the right
one.
6) When looking at the weather info before departing, don't say anything
like "The TAFs are bloody awful.". Could be taken the wrong way in Wales.

I've always found ATC at Cardiff to be helpful and friendly to tiddlers.
Enjoy your flight.