To everyone having a go at the UK remember we are a tiny country with very busy airspace. The Clacton zone is, I believe, one of the busiest ATC zones in the world. As a commercial pilot who regularly flies all over the world I have had my worst experiences in the US with confliction with VFR traffic below FL180 e.g. a full TCAS RA at about 5000 on approach to EWR in a 747! Maybe that’s why we have our rules, that sort of thing would happen far more regularly in the UK without stricter controls. I used to run an aerial photography company years ago and regularly got clearances to enter the LHR zone in between traffic on approach to do photo runs. They had a special procedure, not sure it’s available now but it can be done.

Many of those airfields are former RAF bases and while the airfield is closed the site is not - for example, Cottesmore which is where you are flying over at @11:58, is now Kendrew Barracks.

There's no legal problems with using an EFB while VFR, in fact the UK CAA *encourages* people to use a moving map GPS of any kind with an up-to-date airspace database, specifically to avoid airspace busts. Skydemon is the most popular in the UK

Bloody hell. Gee how lucky are we flying in Australia

I find this very interesting. I have only been flying 2 years in the south coast so busy airspace. I use Skydemon on a ipad to plan and in the air. I have flown from Bournemouth to Duxford after only 11 hours after i got my licence so a total airtime of 61 hours. I had no problems at all and find it all very simple. Perhaps as i learnt here out of a controlled airport EGHH i had a head start. I know people fear ATC but i have found them helpfull and easy to talk too. That said I only fly VFR I normally use a basic service and now i am looking at IFR I can see it might get more complicated.

That "abandoned" airfield at 11:54 is Kendrew Baracks (Formerly RAF Cottesomore) It was the home of Joint Force Harrier 1,3,4 Squadron and Naval Strike Wing. I was based there between 2003 and 2009. Fun fact, it hosted the Royal Internation Air Tatoo in 2000 and 2001 due to RAF Fairford having renovation works carried out.

Feeling really lucky I skip all that hassle just by being airline pilot when all the necessary documents, info, prior requests and stuff is provided by company.

3:16 Airport Radio Services, we have a few of those at uncontrolled airports in New Zealand too. They can tell you what traffic there is in the area and the circuit but they can't tell you what to do. Just advise you. The few times I have encountered it I found the person on the radio very easy to communicate with and very helpful. It was reassuring to hear someone else having just flown some distance with no other traffic around me. 6:12 Uncontrolled Airports with IFR approaches. The only ones I can think of would be airports with a domestic carrier service flying out of them which is still in Class G. I doubt you have to book a time slot but if the commercial service is coming in don't be surprised if they ask (tell) you to stay out of their way. 9:12 Just like London you can not fly into Auckland Airport if you are GA, you have to fly into either Ardmore or North Shore Airfields. I have meet one person who after about two weeks of communication was given permission (or so the story went) to make a low pass but was instructed that they did not have permission to do even a touch and go, do not touch the runway. I have really been enjoying watching your videos and hope to one day fly over in Australia. Some things are just so good you have to see them from the sky.

Enjoyed this Stefan! I fly out of Elstree and the service there often swaps back and forth between Elstree Information and Elstree Radio depending on which people have stepped out the tower to use the bathroom :) I basically end up phrasing all my ground movement calls as requests just in case the Information FISO jumps back on.

Thanks a lot for this video it answers so many of my questions and I feel more confident planning a trip there now ❤

I fly a Cirrus in the UK. It seems complex if you’re not used to it but it quickly becomes second nature. And it means that when you fly anywhere else it all seems a doddle. There are lots of disused airfields in the UK especially in the South though many are ex world war 2 or USAF bases that are now used for other things or are mothballed.

Nice to see your angle on what it’s like flying here !

I remember when flying with a friend from Bournemouth to Redhill, listening to Gatwick Director on our way into Redhill as we were under his control. The guy didn't stop for breath!

I feel very blessed flying in South Africa

The fountain of knowledge Jon Hunt :)

Good video, thanks Stefan. On the different level of services outside controlled airspace, for VFR it’s really only Basic Service (the name says it all) or Traffic Service (you might get told about traffic, but no guarantees!). Deconfliction service is only available to IFR flights, and very rarely used. Procedural service, also for IFR flights is actually not a radar service as you hinted - like the name suggests it’s for pilots typically following an instrument procedure with no radar coverage. Aircraft using the service and following a procedure are given traffic information about each other by the controller, based on pilots reporting their positions in the procedure. So again no guarantees and there might be other aircraft not on the service around you, so beware. Yes, it all sounds complicated, in practice it isn’t really - most pilots flying VFR rely on their eyes and sometimes EC devices like PilotAware or SkyEcho. As my instructor colleague is fond saying to his students: “What does VFR stand for? It’s stands for Look out the F*****n Window” 😅

Just a correction, Sherburn RNP is the only uncontrolled airport IAP that is available to anyone (subject to being granted a slot, in a non-emergency). However, there are quite a few procedures that are typically unavailable to the general public but is available to commercial operators based at/air transport operators flying to that airport. For example, Barra, an uncontrolled airport, the local airlines have access to an NDB procedure. There is also a publicly published RNP but the AIP makes it so that the airport authority must give permission for it to be used.

I always visit my local aerodrome as often as possible! little Lashenden Headcorn in Kent, lovely airfield

Very interesting video, Stef. Maybe you can compliment this with Niko and compare it to flying in the US at some point? Creating a comparison video between flying general aviation in Australia, the UK and the US would yield a lot of useful information for the aviation community.

Interesting video. Part of the reason for the departure restrictions at Duxford is that (as you noted) the UK is pretty small. There are a number of villages around the airfield, and noise abatement is a real thing.

Found this really interesting Stefan. I fly IFR in the uk which is really easy. But I’d be pretty intimidated to try VFR operations and you highlight why nicely. I’ve flown thousands of hours of VFR in 7 countries, mostly commercial ops, and the UK is completely different.

Great video. I like your delivery style👍 It's great to get an overseas view of what everyone here thinks is normal 😂 I know that's true for everywhere 🤷

It sometimes seems its a national ambition in the UK to complicate things. In this case I dare say they need to streamline things. That would probably increase Air safety.

I gay my private license at RAF Woodbridge in the late ‘70’s with the USAF aero club. Airspace rules were fun. Had to know FAA rules, USAF rules, and the Queen’s rules. No EFIS or GPS in those days. And it was hard to find a straight road to do S turns over 😆

Don't often comment but thought I had to on this one. Sherburn airfield is where I trained and got my PPL, a great place.

duxford is duxford info which means they control your movements on the ground but not in the air. So you can't move until there is someone in the tower clearing you to do so. I fly there often mainly for the museum and all the spitfires, hurricanes, biplanes from 1930s.

I’ve flown a VFR flight from Hilversum-Lydd-Old Sarum (and v.v.), in between LGW, LHR, FAB and so on without GPS and only the required physical maps. It can be done, provided you have someone next to you who’s proficient in reading and applying VFR maps to a real situation. P.S. it was a blast!

Airfields are prime building land in the UK and I suspect the economics of a few private planes aday often don't make them financially viable. Even airports such as Coventry with commercial stuff going on are likely to close due to development.

Summed up perfectly (uk based pilot)

In Denmark we have Copenhagen Information (east and west, but often the same person). They do all 4 services in one. And one controller I often hear is a woman with an incredible nice voice. Clear, warm and nice. You just want to talk with her all day... CoIf really take care of you - but ok, it's just a small country.

I'm interested in Italy 🇮🇹. This one was great, can you do the next one in Italy?

Next time do some grass strip flying over here, different world altogether

Glad you had a good time over here. A lot of the smaller air strips have PPR, Prior Permission Required because as unlicensed Air fields they are only allowed to operate for up to 28 days a year. More than that and their status needs to change.

how did you get on with airport joins in the uk? and hights?

It’s the same for us airline guys too! The push/start/taxi procedure at Heathrow is the most complicated on the planet. It always feels like they’ve added layers because someone’s cousin needed a job. But, as you said, their country, their rules.😊

"Flying in the UK is like a road trip with your parents". I'm stealing that quote if you don't mind. :D

The reason for the PPR requirements is the airports/aerodromes in the UK are privately owned. There aren't municipal airports in the UK like there are in a lot of countries. Naturally, if you are going to land on someone's private property, you need their permission. You shouldn't have any difficulty getting that permission, though - even just calling up on the radio when you are 10 miles out and asking nicely will probably work in most cases, although that isn't recommended. They much prefer people to call in advance so they can communicate noise abatement rules - they are paranoid about them because if too many pilots don't follow them and local residents complain to the council about planes flying low over their houses, the aerodrome could get shut down.

In UK with Air Ground (call sign Bloggsville “RADIO”) I used to teach that the reason you are making radio calls is to advise other airspace users where you are and what you intend to do. You are emphatically NOT asking for permission from the Air Ground Operator (This is separate to PPR which is the airfield owner granting permission to use the airfield in accordance with any restrictions, eg operating hours). Same applies with Bloggsville “INFORMATION” EXCEPT they control you on the ground only. If the call sign is Bloggsville “TOWER” you now have licensed ATC so are obliged to follow the controller’s instructions subject to flight safety. Where I instructed for many year we only had Air Ground (Bloggsville RADIO) but a building which looked like a “control tower”. However when instructing I referred to it as the Air/Ground OPERATORS building and if I heard any pilot or student referring to it as a tower they would be politely corrected and/or educated. Airfields in the UK which are not in a Control Zone only have an Aerodrome Traffic Zone but by definition this is not controlled airspace although there are certain rules to obey such as all turns to the left (unless notified otherwise in the case of a right hand circuit) and conforming to the pattern made by other traffic. Operating outside controlled airspace (Class G) below FL100 LEGALLY you don’t need a radio or a transponder. (Only exception is a Radio Mandatory Zone at a few locations but let’s leave those aside for the moment). Generally it makes sense to use available ATC services though. The pilot requests which service is required on initial call. Bloggsville Approach CALLSIGN Request Basic or Traffic or Deconfliction Service. My take is that if the weather is good all I want is a Basic Service. Quite often you will be given a transponder code but under Basic you are NOT in receipt of a radar service. If the weather isn’t so good then I’m looking for a Traffic service where ATC will advise traffic and it is down to the PILOT to use that information to avoid if deemed necessary. Personally in GA in the UK below FL 100 I’d never want a Deconfliction Service since it’s too restrictive in busy airspace and this assumes ATC workload means they can give you a Deconfliction Service. Hope this helps. In fact once you know the ropes it’s quite simple really.

Judging by this video it seems flying in Australia is a lot less complex. Thanks Stef

I’m watching the start of this thinking this is something the flying reporter would be good to answer. And there he was 😂

while still very different in the details, the complexity is strikingly similar to Germany, if not a tad more complex, as if that was ever possible.

Very interesting video. Are you by any chance planning on doing a similar one for France?

Stef 👍👍 Thanks

If what you're saying is that its overly complicated and creates an atmosphere of uncertainty which makes people avoid flying in many places then you're correct and it has to be 100pc intentional. With cost spiralling, building homes on airports, only a hard core of pilots 60 years old or more bother and soon they will be gone too such that the airlines will have their way with all the airspace above 2000ft and all the airspace below that will belong to Amazon and GA will not be a thing.

What EFB software did you use in the UK? I would be keen on looking at the PRD UK equivalent as there’s so many military bases and training areas. Also, what’s their version of ERSA? Cheers (I am a Pom, just been here 15 years and PPL in Aus only)

I personally believe that the UK General aviation industry needs a modern overhaul. It’s quite restrictive at times. But it is what it is. We make do with it.

Makes me squirm watching.Back in 2006, I returned to the UK from working as a pilot in the USA. The expenses were staggering. Going from £90ph to £350ph for a Duchess; having to stump up money to do an ILS and having to hold 30 minutes because a Dash 8 was in the vicinity. That said, once I sort of figured it out, it was an interesting and nice place to fly a Navajo. But for private pilots, think I'd fly elsewhere or in VR.

hello! just to let you know, Leeds East Airport is another uncontrolled airport with instrument approaches

👍

I'll never complain about Australia again!

As a Canadian I've flown in the U.S.A. without any issues and would expect much the same flying in Australia. I'd have to do my homework before flying in the U.K. What you're used to make a huge difference: I learned to fly at an airport with a tower. The first time I flew to an uncontrolled airport it scared the crap out of me... In Canada we have lots of airports with an advisory ground station ("Mandatory Frequency"). My home base Kamloops CYKA is such an airport. Kamloops Radio provides weather and traffic information. It's up to us pilots to decide what to do with it.

I have a couple of questions. How many, (if any,) stops would you need to fly from your home airport to Archerfield, Brisbane? Do you have any plans for a flight to Queensland in the future? Wishing you and your family a wonderful weekend.

Interesting video. Now I realise it hasn't been such a bad idea to stick to desktop simulators for 20 years and not pursue the all-too-expensive hobby/dream of becoming a private pilot. Looks like we have tried to sap some of the joy out of flying over here. The road trip analogy was a good one! :)

Stef are you going to talk about the recent SR22 crash out side of Canberra? Very sad.

We do like our rules 🇬🇧

Can you send this to the CAA, they want the UK to be the best in the world for flying GA. I can't see it happening.

You should fly in France next time. It's a lot simpler ! 😅

Do you pay for the different VFR services ?

Hilarious how you tried so hard to be polite and diplomatic about the UK organisation and procedures. I could visibly see the head-shaking astonishment of the ridiculous over-complication in your body language. I do apologise. UK airspace is like some sort of ancient machine that has been added to and modified and modified and had all manner of bits bolted on and wired up over the decades. It would be fantastic if we could all sit down round a table and start from scratch and simplify it all, but the big commercial vested interests (and the politicians in their pockets) would just railroad the rest of us. So, the enormous ridiculous machine clanks and groans on. The CAA is known as the Campaign Against Aviation for some reason.

The UK rules are slightly embarrassing. I hope we get them updated to the US and Australias standards soon. GA feels much more restricted over here than in the US and Auz.

I love flying but here in the uk it just is too full of jobs worths who want to make it a beurocratic nightmare, so i went with rc flying instead, 40 years later and they are killing that too...😅

Well, bugger me! It looks like you flew over my house. I wish I'd have known. I'd have given you a wave.

Stef, I know you probally can’t reply but it’s my dads birthday coming up and absolutely loves watching your videos if there’s any chance you could reply with a message, I understand if you can’t. Cheers

Best and easiest way to fly VFR in the UK is.... to fly IFR.

PPR to depart is so stupid. In the US PPR to arrive is only at military airports.

Aviation in England described in one word is paranoid…that’s what you get with a government that thinks it needs to tell you to mind the gap😜

You should pass by Switzerland. Then we can fly the Alps. Aviation is simpler than UK.

You look a bit like Rishi Sunak 😅

It is truly one of the worst organised airspace’s in the world, a report from an official investigation recently declared UKs airspace unfit for purpose. Nothing was done about it though! Standard UK mismanagement.

In the UK we fly on the correct side of the sky. But so do Australia so what's the problem? 🤡

You are describing tyranny. PERIOD.

I guess you are not as bright as you thought you were?

This video makes me want to throw tea in Boston Harbor