My First UK VFR Flight
From Virtual Skies MRC
Contents |
Start up and Taxi
In the UK when flying VFR and parked on the GA apron you can usually start up at your own discretion. However you should check on the airfield information page to ensure this is the case
pilot: Birmingham Ground G-OOGO is a Cessna 172 on the GA Apron request taxi for VFR flight to Cardiff ATC: G-OOGO Birmingham Ground taxi hold F1 via F for runway 33 QNH 1013
You should now provide what is known as a "readback" so that the controller knows you have recieved and understood his instructions (note that your callsign goes at the end when providing a readback)
pilot: taxi hold F1 via F for runway 33 QNH 1013 G-OOGO
As you approach the hold the ground controller should transfer you to tower:
ATC: G-GO contact tower on 118.30 bye bye pilot: Tower on 118.30 G-GO bye now
note that the controller has now shortened your callsign. Once the controller has done this you may also use your shortened callsign.
VFR Departure Clearance
When you contact the tower you should announce your holding point and that you are ready for departure
Pilot: Bimingham Tower G-OOGO holding F1 Ready for departure
The controller will now provide you with a departure clearance NOTE: This is not a clearance to take-off it is just instructions you should follow after take-off
ATC: G-OOGO Birmingham Tower Hold Position you are cleared to leave the zone VFR to the south not above altitude 1500ft squawk 0401 pilot: Leave the zone vfr to the south not above 1500ft squawk 0401 G-OOGO
the squawk code is the 4 digit code you should put in your transponder in your aircraft
Line-up and Takeoff
ATC: G-GO after the landing 737 line up and wait runway 33 pilot: after the landing 737 line up and wait runway 33 G-GO
In this instance the controller has given you what is known as a "conditional clearance" this must be read back in full. Once you are lined up on the runway and the runway is clear the controller will clear you for take-off.
ATC: G-GO surface wind 320 at 12 knots runway 33 cleared for takeoff pilot: cleared for takeoff runway 33 G-GO
note you do not have to read back the winds
In The Air
Once you are airborne the tower controller will transfer you to approach or radar control:
ATC: G-GO contact Bimingham Radar on 118.05 pilot: radar on 118.05 G-GO
now change frequency to Radar, note that you have to use your full calsign again until the controller shortens it
pilot: Birmingham Radar G-OOGO with you ATC: G-GO Birmingham Radar roger, report at the birmingham zone boundary
This means that you should call the controller when you reach the zone boundary (as marker on your CTR chart)
pilot: G-GO at the zone boundary
If the controller is able to offer you further services he may ask which one you require
ATC: G-GO what service do you require outside controlled airspace? pilot: G-GO request flight information service ATC: G-GO roger, flight information service you have, remain outside controlled airspace, the birmingham QNH 950 milibars pilot: QNH 950 milibars, flight information service G-GO
if a further service is available from another controller he may suggest you contact them
ATC: G-GO you're leaving my airspace freecall London Information on 124.60 pilot: free call London Information on 124.60 thanks, bye
if no further service is available he will instruct you to monitor unicom
ATC: G-GO no further service available squawk 7000 and monitor unicom 122.80 bye bye pilot: squawk 7000 and monitor unicom 122.50 G-GO
