Jon returns from a day trip to the Channel Island of Alderney About/Faqs/GPS tracks www.jonhunt.net Facebook: / theflyingreporter Instagram / flyingreporteruk
Another very pleasurable video, Jon. Thank you. What influences your choice as to whether to use the listening squawk for F'boro versus specifically talking to them to request a service?
Nigel, Farnborough LARS can be a very busy frequency (particularly in the summer, more so over the weekends). Whether requesting a basic service or just using their listening squawk - they are still keeping tabs on your flight. The choice is entirely at the PIC's discretion, however if just using the latter, one can change squawk to 7000 and "freecall" another airfield e.g. Goodwood, Shoreham, Redhill etc i.e. an airfield en route in the event you are close to their airspace - or for some other reason WITHOUT requesting F'boro to leave their frequency. Getting onto (and more importantly leaving) the F'boro frequency (which one MUST request) can be a headache due to controller workload at busy times. The beauty of the listening squawk is a private GA pilot(s) doesn't needlessly occupy the controllers time and that works to everyone's benefit as The Flying Reporter alludes to in his reply.
Graeme Craven Thanks for your comments. I agree with everything you note, what I was interested in was what Jon considered when making his 'PIC discretion' choice.
Thanks for sharing the flight Jon. I'll have to try a trip to Alderney when the weather improves next year. Looks lovely. Have a happy and restful Christmas.
What a pleasure to be on the return journey Jon. Woke to a Cold and Icy morning so the sunshine and blue sky has made me feel warm. Look forward to your special video very soon. Kind Regards and Happy Christmas from Golcar West Yorkshire. Cheers Stewart ✈️
An interesting question Jon- re the trip over quite a large stretch of water. Knowing now the condition of the engine, would you have undertaken the crossing. We trust in our engines and its whats happening inside them that is so inadvisable. T&Ps all reading OK but the strip down was ever so revealing. I'd added your video into my monthly newsletter to pilots for the December issue to help them see the issues that can arise. Cheers Ian
Thanks Ian. I think you know the answer to your question! FYI, the aeroplane was having checks every 50 hours, including oil change, and lab analysis of the oil . All of the metal appears to have been shed since that last 50 hour check. Either that or the metal wasn't making it to the oil yet. Our engines can fail at any time, and we just have to have faith in them and the engineers that maintain them....if we didn't, we wouldn't fly any time.
Great video as always Jon. I do love that underwing angle and especially the shadow as you landed! I asked Stef the same thing but do you feel that you are not alone when you are solo but have the cameras rolling? i know I treat the camera as a virtual passenger. The other thing was the odd shaped gliding circle on your SkyDemon insert, mine is set up to only shows over water?
Thanks Tim. I do feel alone without the cameras, so I think you’re right. Hadn’t really thought about it before. I must have the glide assist on all the time.
Super flight Jon. Brilliant weather too. Happy Christmas to you and the family. Douglas. Ps ultra-fast engine overhaul...suspect this was a flight taken before your power plant giving up the ghost.
Another professional and enjoyable video Jon, with superb views and graphics. You never appear flustered in any situation nowadays, which shows you've gained in confidence in every trip. I look forward to your next adventure.
Fantastic Jon, a real pleasure to watch that video on this cold and frosty morning. Just one question is it a requirement that you don't contact Farnborough West but just squark or can you contact them if you want?
Your choice David. They like you to do one or the other when passing near Farnborough. The weather was CAVOK, traffic was light. I didn't need a service.
