ATC/Pilot Reports
Pilot:
| Turned to course 173 deg. I misread this heading from my pilot log (173 was actually the heading for the next leg, not this one). I selected WOD 352 (an NDB) but the gauge did not respond and after a few checks I decided that the gauge must be unserviceable* and resorted to VFR navigation. There was lots of standing water in the fields which made it difficult. After 6 minutes I called Farnborough LARS and the controller informed me of the incursion and routed me to the west leaving controlled airspace two minutes or so later. (* Later in the flight I realised that the ADF was not U/S, I had failed to depress the "ADF" button on the device and when I did the gauge read normally.) |
FOT-Edit: Departure airfield removed, clarification of 'WOD', plus 'cuts' of extra detail, sometimes meaning minor wording changes to allow for 'grammar' or 'readability' after the cut.
Pilot:
| This was the first flight for my (relatives), and for the first time when on a flight in the same sort of area I had decided not to switch to Farnborough LARS but stay with (my departure airfield frequency). Had I switched, as I normally do, Farnborough would have warned me of my impending error and corrective action could have been taken. I can only conclude I was distracted from navigating my planned route and mis identified certain features. |
FOT-Edit: Exact passenger details plus Departure airfield removed.
FOT-Info: Airspace infringed either LTMA or Gatwick CTA/CTR, not stated
Pilot:
| I never go to 5000ft during my leisure flying. The requirement to do so on (date) was part of the Air Test. Immediately after the climb I performed a Vne descent on a Northerly heading |
FOT-Edit: Reference to what is believed to be a date removed.
FOT-Info: Pilot also questions transponder readout of 5200'.
Pilot:
| I entered the coordinates of (Kent Airfield) and set a course for there, heading approx 140. Approaching the area north of the Thames but to the east of the QEII bridge, I started to climb slowly. I accept totally that I should not have done this at this particular point, and in doing so, I entered the LTMA. I can only apologise most profusely for this error, and no-one is more shaken by this infringement than myself. I just cannot believe that I did something so stupid. |
FOT-Edit: Initial extra detail dropped, destination removed.
Pilot:
| There were heavy snow showers in the area, we mis-identified the ground features due to the poor vis and tracked too far to the east of our intended track. We thought we were close but outside the zone |
Instructor:
| Work load consequent with conducting a general handling training exercise. My normal operating area was overcast at about 2000ft, so I decided to operate further north in an area which I am not greatly familiar with. Concentrated too much on the lesson and as a result lost situational awareness for a period. I thought I was further south than my actual position. The only usable horizon was to the north which was a contributory factor, but no excuse. |
FOT-Info: Airspace believed to be LTMA
FOT-Edit: Minor detail dropped which would identify base airfield
Instructor (for solo student):
| The student became confused over position after leaving the Benson MATZ. To avoid confliction he started to seek out Reading to orbit as briefed. Unable to locate the town he convinced himself that to the North and East he could see the M4. He flew North toward the motorway and then East to locate (xxx). In the distance he could make out an airfield. He established radio contact with (xxx) and whilst preparing his arrival it became clear that the airfield ahead was too developed to be (xxx), he was in fact approaching Northolt. On realising his mistake he alerted (xxx) and requested assistance. Instructions were relayed to the pilot from Heathrow including a request to switch the transponder to mode “C”. The headings given by ATC brought the pilot directly to (xxx) overhead where he carried out a safe landing. The student commented he was grateful for the vectors since he was now somewhat disorientated and upset. He could not explain why the transponder had not been set to Mode C and felt it was simply an oversight. |
FOT-Info: Report written by supervising Instructor based on student report.
FOT-Edit: Base Airfield name removed, minor rephrasing clarifying with whom student was in radio contact
Instructor (for solo student):
| The route had been flown by the student with an instructor on three separate occasions and had done it solo a couple of weeks beforehand (although on that occasion somehow ended up to the north of Cambridge and got ATC assistance). Having practiced the route dual the weekend before, this was giving it a second attempt. En-route, the student seemed to have trouble changing frequency to Farnborough. I had set up the frequencies for the student before the flight and briefed on use of the equipment. En route, the student tried to raise Farnborough, then decided to go straight to Cambridge Approach when abeam Buntingford (by changing to box2). By this time, the student was quite flustered and was unable to get Cambridge, and decided to turn back to base and tried to raise Farnborough again, this time successfully, but had infringed Luton airspace. Farnborough helped the student out of the zone and back to (xxx), and moreover in a manner that helped the student stay calm and concentrate on flying the plane. |
FOT-Info: Report written by supervising Instructor based on student report.
FOT-Edit: Base Airfield name removed, & minor changes merely to remove personal detail
Instructor:
| PPL Mock Test Navigation and G/H. In trying to disorientate the student, I managed to disorientate myself. |
FOT-Info: CAS infringed thought to be somewhere in general (wide) London area
Pilot:
| I had contacted Farnborough before leaving (xxxx) and asked for a TMZ transit which I got. I had no idea that I should have asked permission to transit the TMZ on my way out of North Weald (EGSX). I spoke to EGSX and almost immediately tuned to 132.8 and stayed with them until past BNN. I am sorry about this and it will not happen again. My transponder (Mode S/C) has now arrived back and is being refitted at this moment. |
FOT-Edit: Name of base airfield removed.
FOT-Info: To clarify, first sentence refers to 'inbound' leg to N. Weald. Subsequent problem was return leg.
Pilot:
| I am supposed to carry a safety pilot if carrying passengers. Two pilots sharing responsibility didn't work out as well as expected. Altimeter setting too low. I have flown this route dozens of times. No problems. Safety pilot flew after take off from (xxxx). Realised error after hearing Shoreham QFE. I from Uckfield to Hailsham then landed at Heathfield. This was my second flight since renewing my licence after a gap march to September. Also my 2nd flight with the safety pilot, not one of our group. We need time. |
FOT-Edit: Base Airfield name removed, & personal detail removed
Pilot:
| I didn’t have transponder turned on in the Stansted Mandatory area, I have just installed a new Garmin Transponder which unlike the old now requires me to press the cursor button twice after turning on, I didn’t notice that I had not done this until 10 mins into the flight. |
Instructor / Controller:
| Reports in this section are 2009 onwards, with this exception. This 2007 report has been jointly constructed by instructor and controller to report what was happening at 'either end' of an infringement of Heathrow CTR. Due to size, it is in pdf form. Joint Report: Heathrow CTR |
