Flew my nephew into Duxford many years ago, he was sick into his anorak, which he had on his lap, whilst we were on final. Spent the first thirty minutes on the ground cleaning him up. Also a memorable weather diversion into Southend whilst en route to Norwich. They let us land during an air show and uttered the immortal phrase “park next to the Lancaster” which we did.
The airfield at 10:00 is former RAF Sculthorpe. Built in WW2 and used up until the 90s by the USAF. There are around 80 former RAF bases built to "Class A" standard (with one runway of 2000yd and two of 1400yd, plus 50 hard standings and at least two T2 hangars) used by the USAAF 8th Air Force in WW2, some have museums but most are a few bits of concrete left and some crumbling nissen huts, or runways used by light industry for various things.
You've obviously done your homework and managed very well, especially considering the area you traversed being some of the most complex airspace in the country. Seen other CZcamsrs moaning about Uk airspace and comms and really struggling - but they hadn't prepared at all. Its a small island with busy airspace and you need to be on your game. Hope you enjoyed Duxford.
Thank you, yes I've seen videos of other pilots visiting the UK and complaining about the procedures and terminology. I never understood that. I always thought as a pilot our job is to a) prepare and plan ahead and b) be willing to tolerate changes and problem solve along the way. Complaining seems futile to me, it's not going to change anything after all, but each to their own I suppose. Thanks for watching philw.
@@StefanDruryI know exactly who your on about, and I think they’re probably one of the most dangerous pilot CZcams channels. The arrogance from that “man” is the biggest danger. Hope you enjoyed the uk!
D207 is Holbeach Range. It’s a munitions and Explosives range where they test weapons. Flight through there is subject to availability when not in operation. :) I live in East Anglia so have studied some of the restricted airspace’s.
I flew into Duxford in 2008 during my PPL training, landed my Piper Warrior parked up alongside a B-17. I told my instructor I wanted to do a couple of take off and landings, he agreed. I took off I was the only one in the circuit so I had time to concentrate on Duxford, I never felt more a sense of history than when I looked down at the airfield, thinking of all the legendary pilots that had flown from there. I enjoyed landing on a concrete runway, rather than the grass airfields, great day, great memories.
One thing I learnt during my human factors course for command training at one of the airlines in Australia - “doubt is positive”. It’s ok to have a bit of doubt about your operation; what you’re doing, where you are, where you’re going. It’s that bit of doubt or bit of stress that keeps your situational awareness up and your ability to perceive, understand and predict.
I can actually say I have flown around Duxford in that Tiger Moth. A very special friend bought me a training session for my 60th birthday and what a great day that was. Last time I had flown anything was in an RAF Chipmunk when I was in the Air Training Corps but the pilot in the Tiger Moth said 'you've done this before' which made me rather chuffed! Duxford is a place you can never visit too much. Incredible history and the level of engineering there is staggering. But well done you Stefan for going full circle from teenager to pilot.
I think the main reason why we do things so much differently in the UK is because of airspace and aerodrome density compared to Australia. Lots more planes and rotorheads in a much smaller area. Also, I have always found it a lot easier for peace of mind to preplan frequencies en-route and around route in case of diversions when flying here. It's not so bad in somewhere like Europe as there is a lot less going on, but in the UK having frequencies you have checked are active at the time of flight and will offer you the service you want is a great peace of mind. Also at 14:29 its because with information passes you request the level of service you would like either then or when you announce yourself on frequency. Giving your departure aerodrome is also normally wanted as well.
Currently live in the UK (Aussie expat) but learnt to fly at Bankstown Airport (Sydney) and then Naples (Fla) and most recently Cambridge. I am only VFR qualified and have to admit that the weather and mountain of controlled airspace in SE England have combined to dissuade me from flying these past 4-5 years. However this short clip is a great example of why I loved flying and an inspiration to get back into a plane. Thanks for that. (p.s. My Mother-in-law lives in the village of Duxford. Nothing quite beats sitting in her back garden listening to the roar of a Spitfire overhead as they practice for the various airshows there.)
Duxford is amazing, and the more you learn about aeroplanes the more you notice! It’s so cool seeing the airliners that have shaped UK aero manufacturing, the VC-10 with the wing that built today’s aircraft industry, the Trent 800 with RB211 on the boilerplate paying homage to the engine that killed, and then resurrected Rolls Royce and then Concorde, arguably the first Airbus…every exhibit tells a story
Great Video Stef. Duxford is an awesome aviation museum, with an incredible range of special aircraft. Any Americans visiting the USA should try to visit Duxford to see the range of US aircraft that the UK is proud to have in its care. Your videos of your flights in the UK are valuable resources to anyone seeking to fly VFR in UK airspace. BTW I learned to fly at Cambridge airport on Cessna 150s in 1981.
Great video showing how complex yet simple the radio stuff is. I used to go to Duxford with my dad when I was younger, and I got a good way through my PPL. I never got to finish it because of college and a lack of funds but finishing it is always in the back of my mind. Started at 16, now 25 this year...One day...
One of the big things about UK is that there’s so much class G uncontrolled airspace that, despite it looking congested on a map, you can get all over the place without ever having to talk to anyone. Many private pilots take advantage of that because they don’t like talking to anyone in the radio. But communicating gives you and other pilots and controllers so much situational awareness, in my view one should always do it: at least a basic surface, preferably a traffic service if the ATC station is capable. Your comms were good, enjoyed the video. There are a series of straightforward phrases that cover 90% of what’s necessary for VFR, the rest of it just plain English. You demonstrated that. I would recommend a little more destination research before departure: Duxford is PPR only and they expect you to call up with an ETA in advance, and the station is usually “Duxford Information”. “Information” has its own set of rules: you are not allowed to enter the ATZ without permission and they control you on the ground.
I worked off and on at Duxford for about 7 years before becoming a commercial pilot, so it certainly had an impact on me! This year is now my 10th year flying an Airbus for a 'local' company, sometimes even overhead Duxford. Fantastic place!
You inspired me to do this flight from Shoreham yesterday. What a great decision! Duxford is such a cool airport! Ended up parked next to one of the Spitfires, and really enjoyed all the exhibits. Highly recommend a visit!
My dear, late friend, Brian Wightman, was a member of the flying club at Elstree and he took me to spend an afternoon at Duxford. It felt so cool, somehow, to visit one of the great aviation collections and to arrive by plane, even ascending the tower to pay our landing fees.
I think you got a really good picture of what it’s like flying in parts of the UK. Well done getting to grips with our bizarre ‘services’! ‘What service do you require? - actually, we can’t give you a service…why did you call us?!!! You did great as a ‘foreigner’ - you were well briefed. Welcome to the ‘best place in the world for general aviation! ‘
Loved this video thanks! Especially seeing the Dragon Rapide taxi at 16:50! I had the pleasure of helping restore her after an accident as part of my work experience at school around 17 years ago. Brought back some great memories!
I love how relaxed and quintessentially British a solo flight is in the UK (especially with ATC) compared to what you get with Stevo Kinevo flying in the U.S.
For a pilot from Germany, flying VFR in England seems very hard. If I need traffic service I call FIS, get a transponder code, and occasionally have to switch to the next sector. They also coordinate airspace crossings for you. In the UK I'd be terrified of not being able to pronounce "conspicuity" :D
Honestly it's one of the worst words in the whole of the english language. Lots of people just say "squawk 7000" to avoid it. Funny thing is, if you don't mind not taking a service for most of that flight Steph could have just not talked to anyone.
The squawk conspiquity is there to save confusion between VFR and IFR traffic. So if you are asked to squawk conspiquity (and you are flying VFR for example), you say 'squawk 7000' which tells the controller your onward flight is VFR post handover. IFR vice versa. Don't say 'squawk conspiquity' back to your controller
@@peanuts2105 I’m afraid you are wrong. If you look at CAP 413 section 5.9 you will see that according to the CAA the correct phraseology in response to “squawk conspicuity” is in fact “squawk conspicuity”
I understand your fear. When I was living in Switzerland I made a flight up to the UK to visit a friend and was shocked by the disorganisation after crossing the Channel. I knew this from my planning but it can be very confusing all the overlapping radars and information zones. France and Switzerland FIS regions are clearly distinguished and you know when you are passing from one to another and who to contact. Passing north of London I was offered three different people to contact. And of course I made the wrong choice. Coming back I did a better job having learned on the flight up. Anyways everyone was very friendly, understanding of my confusion and helpful so despite the chaos I enjoyed flying in the UK.
As a humble UK microlight pilot I can appreciate the preparation and workload of a flight like this. Awesome job. It reminds me how happy I am flying VFR in an open cockpit, non radio aircraft with just an asi, altimeter, compass, vario, egt and cht for company, with the mark 1 eyeball for traffic avoidance. Ignorance is bliss, lol.
THAT was an absolute delight. Things have changed a lot since I was an RAF ATCO and controlling pretty well all of East Anglia and especially 'Honington Zone, Hub of de Universe'. My Mil traffic was huge and we managed all of the erratic VFR civs, too. The civs especially were generously grateful for the super service we gave. That seems to have dropped away. My first ATCO base was Wattisham which is now Army.
I got my PPL in the SF Bay Area when I was 19. From the Bay Bridge to the southern end of the Bay there are 8 airports including SFO, OAK, SJC and the Moffet Federal Airfield. Even on one of the more complex VFR transitions (i.e. Palo Alto to San Jose) there is less complexity than it appears flying VFR in the UK. I am super impressed by your calm, good nature attitude to it all. Love your videos and thanks for sharing your experiences!
I just love the British accent over the radio. It's so clear and polite and relaxed. I felt like I was listening to an episode of the Vicar of Dibley. I assume the American was USAF controllers at RAF Lakenheath. And that was a nice ending to the video. #Hurracain >.>
😂 Classic Cambridge! I haven't worked there for a while now. But If I recall correctly the CAA instructed Cambridge to stop giving Basic Service on initial contact because it is a radar unit. So they're mandated to ask despite 90% of their traffic only wanting a Basic. Massive props for giving them a call though. The sheer number of GA into Duxford who don't and then fly straight through the final approach is crazy. I know it's outside the ATZ so there is no requirement to call Cambridge but it's good airmanship to do so.
Fantastic video. I've seen numerous videos of aviators visiting the UK and experiencing UK airspace and comms for the first time whilst airborne having done no preparation or planning beforehand. Was a pleasant surprise watching this seeing you've researched our idiosyncrasies and have made a true effort! The south east is a busy place and it took me months to conjure up the courage to do it myself. Safe flying!
Thanks man. My grandparents used to take me to Duxford when I was a bipper. I grew up in kings Lynn, which you awesomely overflew on this video. I went on to instruct on the Cirrus at Moorabbin. You and I have shared a circuit a few times. I now fly RPT out of Melbourne. This video was amazing! The airport that you could see, looked a bit like RAF Sculthorpe to me. The danger area over the wash used to be live firing. Not sure what they do there now.
Hello Norman, lots of connections in this video for you! Nice to know we've been in the same airspace in Moorabbin at one point. Thanks for watching, and for the info on that danger area. Good to know.
Welcome to UK airspace... Lots of frequency changes and airspace to navigate around, but definitely fun like you say! The awareness of traffic around us alot of pilots in the UK use skydemon paired with an electronic conspicuity device (skyecho) and that gives ads-b in and out, so you'll get a nice readout of aircraft on your iPad or whatever device you are using, it's not completely foolproof though but it does give you some more awareness. That disused airfield is probably Wendling or Sculthorpe
Really enjoyed that; you coped admirably. You were in my airspace - Lydd, Ashford etc. And believe me, those places are SO much better from the air than on the ground. Safe travels.
15yo Stef would have been happy, and 62 year old Dave is impressed, happy and thoroughly enjoyed your talk-through of this trip. And yep, Duxford is a VERY special place and well worth spending considerably more than 2 hours on!!! Thanks heaps for the vicarious fun, you just gained a sub 👍
Duxford is awesome and I regularly visit from Elstree! Air Show days are great to fly into coz you miss the traffic and feel part of the air show itself! It is cool to be in the circuit with Spitfires and Sea Furys etc!!!!
I can’t remember if I went on an Airshow day to Duxford as a kid, but I’d love to get back there for an Airshow in the future. Yes, a wonderful place. Really glad I visited.
10:15 That airpot is former RAF Sculthorpe. Use to store nuclear bombs back in the war. Its now used for training. Parachute drops and ground based stuff.
Fantastic video, really enjoyed seeing you flying through the UK airspace, as a UK resident and flight simmer it was nice to see the interactions you got and the processes you followed.
Great video, loved it. I live near Duxford and likewise, mine and friends interest in aviation was born here as kids. As a teen my mum surprised me with a joy flight Stansted to Stansted on an Air UK Fokker 100. Returning to Stansted we were actually part of the Duxford airshow and did a couple low passes. You could hear in the pilots voices they were like big kids. They left the cockpit intercom open for most of the flight. Happy Flying!
Normally staying with LARS is the easiest thing to do. I’m based at Shoreham and most of the time it’s unnecessary to speak to each individual airfield you pass (like Lydd), unless it’s through their ATZ. Great video!
Wow, Stefan. I really enjoyed that video. It took me back about 25 years to my own flight into Duxford. A fairly new PPL in hand, I had done my cross country qualifier from Wellesbourne to Cambridge (obligatory coffee and cake) so I was familiar with Duxford to the south. So I set off one sunny summer's day, more or less following my previous track to Cambridge, then turned south for Duxford. I was thrilled to land and taxi in, under the watchful eye of some of the museum visitors on the other side of the fence. My Piper Tomahawk was parked at one end of the flight line, and a Hurricane and Spitfire at the other! A smashing day taking in the museum's contents and then a flight back westwards. And all with talking to just two or three ATC units! Great memories but I am no longer flying due to retirement and health problems, that's life!
Great video Stef. As a fellow ex-pat (living in Melbourne's southeast suburbs) I guess I share many of the same memories of growing up in the UK. I'm going back for a trip in November, and you have just inspired me to put Duxford on my list of places to visit. Flight radar sends me alerts when EYZ is active, and if you're flying overhead I always wave 🙂
What an amazing story! Duxford was actually the destination of my first solo navigation flight, so I got to know the aerodrome pretty well. It's a brilliant place. Can't really beat the "hold position, Spitfire crossing" instruction! And I fly from Elstree. (in relation to your previous video) I'm sure you caught it later, Duxford is AFIS ("Information"), not A/G "Radio". I'm not surprised you got your zone transit declined, happens more often than not! And the controller asking what service you want while he can't offer anything above basic is pretty standard too, they're sometimes a bit useless! You should try the MATZ penetration next time. ;) My PPL arrived in the post today, so seeing all those places I know and ones I'll now be able to fly to myself was so amazing. Thank you Stef!
The voice in Concorde is John Hutchinson who was a Concorde captain. Many interviews with him on CZcams and I’ve just bought his book - the wind beneath my wings - great read. Great upload !!
Stumbled into your channel and really enjoyed this video Duxford is amazing and like yourself the place that sparked my love of flying. Ive not had the chance to fly in yet but its on my bucket list.
Thanks for the memories Stefan. Growing up in Suffolk in the UK (also, now in Melbourne), spent many family days in the 80's at airshows at Duxford and Mildenhall (When it was a US air base). Although never following a path into piloting, those memories meant I have always loved aviation.
Always found Duxford very helpful and a great place to fly into - The majority of airfields round the UK are PPR ( Prior Permission Required) which is just a phone call into the them to say what you are and what sort of ETA you have.
RAF Holbeach, on the "Wash" at 10:30 is an "Air to ground" gunnery and bombing range. I used to go there from RAF Honnington back in the seventies to blow up smaller quantities of out of date ammunition etc....., on the tidal part of the range. We could watch the Buccaneers, Jaguars and the USAF A10's using practice bombs and ground straffing a few hundred yards away.
Really great videos of you flying around the UK. It's clear that you had read up on the rules and didn't just moan about the system in the UK but adapted to it. Plus I think your point on PPR is very valid. I think it can come from the fact in peak summer some of these fields get rammed all in one go, so they want to control the flow rate. But I think having PPR in summer months or set periods might be a better system.
Great video. Brings back memories. I flew VFR into Duxford from Dublin as a low hour recently licensed PPL 40 years ago, it was an amazing place to visit, with the trip through so many zones, busy busy busy on the radio, upper hayford was awkward, it was a great learning experience. IFR is so much more relaxing than low alt VFR through the southern UK.
you should try to visit Duxford on a warbirds display day or airshow day. You can se the museum in the morning and settle on the wet grass to watch the flying in the afternoon. don't forget the land army museum there too
That airfield at 10:18 looks to be MoD Sculthorpe - ex RAF Sculthorpe (now Heritage Centre) - which I think was USAF Nuclear Deterrant against the USSR. D207 is a weapons range.
Awesome stuff Stef! I landed her a few months back on a solo landway in my DA40! Great airport to fly into if you're an aviation enthusiast! Love to see how you're getting on with navigating through airspace in the UK! it's defo different to other places. Love the work
I literally live across the road from this place, you could see my house on the approach. Always wanted to actually fly, will have to look into it more again.
Excellent vid - thank you.🙂 Great attitude to another country's weird & wonderful methods (you don't criticise, you work with), and your pride in coming full circle back to the wonderful Duxford from young Stef to older Stef, is exactly right.🙂 Good job. 🇬🇧
What a lovely Video. I live in Norfolk and loved the (brief but beautiful) overhead of Scolt Head Island and Brancaster Staithe Harbour. I used to live on the flight path of RAF Sculthorpe when it was active. It has been closed for some years now but the runway still used by the military from time to time - mainly at night!
Hi Stefan enjoyed this duxford video very much along with the elstree to shoreham one. The HOLBEACH AREA is a large bombing practise range, during the gulf war we had a holiday cottage a few miles away , there was a lot of action at that time. Although a LONDONER when i got married we moved in the direction of EAST ANGLIA and went to many of the superb air shows put on at the U S bases . Our house was 10 miles from U S / R A F CHICKSANDS which housed a huge listening device called THE ELEPHANT CAGE 440 METRES IN DIAMETRE AN ELECTRONICS LISTENING POST, there are several around the world although this one was demolished when the americans left the base. it was an amazing structure to look at approx 150 foot high and we allways felt it made us high on any russian target list. Have visited Duxford several times as you said it is very good sop much to see. Safe and happy flying Dave B
Good for you, man. Nice flight vid. Memories relived and made. Nice. Duxford is great. Lived nearby for a while just over a decade ago, and took my kids to the airshow there. (Great cafe!)
The Area you was wondering about at Holbeach, is a LIVE FIREING RANGE used by the RAF, USA Airforce, F15's and F35's, and the RAF Typhoons fighter jets, keep well way from that area at all times LOL
Dread to think what the landing fees are there if museum is included, but still a very cool spot to fly into. That D2 zone I believe was mod Holbeach live fire zone used by RAF lakenheath,Mildenhall for training strafing / bombing sorties.
Wahey you flew overhead Southend. Whilst we might be a big aerodrome in the sense we're near London, we're relatively quiet since COVID. Hope you enjoyed your flights over here!
I recently did my QXC and landed at Shoreham. It's so nice out there and the controllers were so good... Great to see you flying in England. Interesting to hear you compare and contrast your experience in England with what you're more used to in Australia.
Disused is the STANTA Battle training area at Sculthorpe near Fakenham and was originally a diversion airfield for the U2 when it was at Mildenhall in the 80-90's. The D-20t danger area is an active military live firng and bombing range called Holbeach range. Interestingly, when the A10 warthogs were at Bentwaters; you could hear the 3 second bursts of the gatling guns from around 5 miles away with the wind in the right direction
Flew my nephew into Duxford many years ago, he was sick into his anorak, which he had on his lap, whilst we were on final. Spent the first thirty minutes on the ground cleaning him up. Also a memorable weather diversion into Southend whilst en route to Norwich. They let us land during an air show and uttered the immortal phrase “park next to the Lancaster” which we did.
The airfield at 10:00 is former RAF Sculthorpe. Built in WW2 and used up until the 90s by the USAF. There are around 80 former RAF bases built to "Class A" standard (with one runway of 2000yd and two of 1400yd, plus 50 hard standings and at least two T2 hangars) used by the USAAF 8th Air Force in WW2, some have museums but most are a few bits of concrete left and some crumbling nissen huts, or runways used by light industry for various things.
The runways still active for the USAAF
You've obviously done your homework and managed very well, especially considering the area you traversed being some of the most complex airspace in the country. Seen other CZcamsrs moaning about Uk airspace and comms and really struggling - but they hadn't prepared at all. Its a small island with busy airspace and you need to be on your game. Hope you enjoyed Duxford.
Thank you, yes I've seen videos of other pilots visiting the UK and complaining about the procedures and terminology. I never understood that. I always thought as a pilot our job is to a) prepare and plan ahead and b) be willing to tolerate changes and problem solve along the way. Complaining seems futile to me, it's not going to change anything after all, but each to their own I suppose. Thanks for watching philw.
@@StefanDrury Are you gonna fly over France??
@@StefanDruryI know exactly who your on about, and I think they’re probably one of the most dangerous pilot CZcams channels.
The arrogance from that “man” is the biggest danger.
Hope you enjoyed the uk!
@iamjames8200 are you referring to Guthmiller or whatever his name is 😅
yep@@peanuts2105
D207 is Holbeach Range. It’s a munitions and Explosives range where they test weapons. Flight through there is subject to availability when not in operation. :) I live in East Anglia so have studied some of the restricted airspace’s.
Used to go there in the seventies from Honnington to blow life expired explosives up. When the tide was out!
I flew into Duxford in 2008 during my PPL training, landed my Piper Warrior parked up alongside a B-17. I told my instructor I wanted to do a couple of take off and landings, he agreed. I took off I was the only one in the circuit so I had time to concentrate on Duxford, I never felt more a sense of history than when I looked down at the airfield, thinking of all the legendary pilots that had flown from there. I enjoyed landing on a concrete runway, rather than the grass airfields, great day, great memories.
One thing I learnt during my human factors course for command training at one of the airlines in Australia - “doubt is positive”. It’s ok to have a bit of doubt about your operation; what you’re doing, where you are, where you’re going. It’s that bit of doubt or bit of stress that keeps your situational awareness up and your ability to perceive, understand and predict.
I can actually say I have flown around Duxford in that Tiger Moth. A very special friend bought me a training session for my 60th birthday and what a great day that was.
Last time I had flown anything was in an RAF Chipmunk when I was in the Air Training Corps but the pilot in the Tiger Moth said 'you've done this before' which made me rather chuffed!
Duxford is a place you can never visit too much. Incredible history and the level of engineering there is staggering.
But well done you Stefan for going full circle from teenager to pilot.
I think the main reason why we do things so much differently in the UK is because of airspace and aerodrome density compared to Australia. Lots more planes and rotorheads in a much smaller area. Also, I have always found it a lot easier for peace of mind to preplan frequencies en-route and around route in case of diversions when flying here. It's not so bad in somewhere like Europe as there is a lot less going on, but in the UK having frequencies you have checked are active at the time of flight and will offer you the service you want is a great peace of mind. Also at 14:29 its because with information passes you request the level of service you would like either then or when you announce yourself on frequency. Giving your departure aerodrome is also normally wanted as well.
Currently live in the UK (Aussie expat) but learnt to fly at Bankstown Airport (Sydney) and then Naples (Fla) and most recently Cambridge. I am only VFR qualified and have to admit that the weather and mountain of controlled airspace in SE England have combined to dissuade me from flying these past 4-5 years. However this short clip is a great example of why I loved flying and an inspiration to get back into a plane. Thanks for that. (p.s. My Mother-in-law lives in the village of Duxford. Nothing quite beats sitting in her back garden listening to the roar of a Spitfire overhead as they practice for the various airshows there.)
Duxford is amazing, and the more you learn about aeroplanes the more you notice! It’s so cool seeing the airliners that have shaped UK aero manufacturing, the VC-10 with the wing that built today’s aircraft industry, the Trent 800 with RB211 on the boilerplate paying homage to the engine that killed, and then resurrected Rolls Royce and then Concorde, arguably the first Airbus…every exhibit tells a story
Great Video Stef. Duxford is an awesome aviation museum, with an incredible range of special aircraft. Any Americans visiting the USA should try to visit Duxford to see the range of US aircraft that the UK is proud to have in its care. Your videos of your flights in the UK are valuable resources to anyone seeking to fly VFR in UK airspace. BTW I learned to fly at Cambridge airport on Cessna 150s in 1981.
Ay, in the cambridge area, wanna get my ppl at cambridge
Great video showing how complex yet simple the radio stuff is. I used to go to Duxford with my dad when I was younger, and I got a good way through my PPL. I never got to finish it because of college and a lack of funds but finishing it is always in the back of my mind. Started at 16, now 25 this year...One day...
Hi cam
Not sure if you’re far from Swindon but I know a great place to learn near there
One of the big things about UK is that there’s so much class G uncontrolled airspace that, despite it looking congested on a map, you can get all over the place without ever having to talk to anyone. Many private pilots take advantage of that because they don’t like talking to anyone in the radio. But communicating gives you and other pilots and controllers so much situational awareness, in my view one should always do it: at least a basic surface, preferably a traffic service if the ATC station is capable.
Your comms were good, enjoyed the video. There are a series of straightforward phrases that cover 90% of what’s necessary for VFR, the rest of it just plain English. You demonstrated that. I would recommend a little more destination research before departure: Duxford is PPR only and they expect you to call up with an ETA in advance, and the station is usually “Duxford Information”. “Information” has its own set of rules: you are not allowed to enter the ATZ without permission and they control you on the ground.
I worked off and on at Duxford for about 7 years before becoming a commercial pilot, so it certainly had an impact on me! This year is now my 10th year flying an Airbus for a 'local' company, sometimes even overhead Duxford. Fantastic place!
You inspired me to do this flight from Shoreham yesterday. What a great decision! Duxford is such a cool airport! Ended up parked next to one of the Spitfires, and really enjoyed all the exhibits. Highly recommend a visit!
That's so awesome to hear, I'm really glad you got to experience this as well. How good is Duxford, right?
@@StefanDruryYeah, it's really great. A repeat visit is definitely in store.
Great museum
My dear, late friend, Brian Wightman, was a member of the flying club at Elstree and he took me to spend an afternoon at Duxford. It felt so cool, somehow, to visit one of the great aviation collections and to arrive by plane, even ascending the tower to pay our landing fees.
Both are amazing Aerodromes with fantastic histories. May he rest in peace.
Your warmth and happiness are contagious, glad you got to fly into Duxford.
I think you got a really good picture of what it’s like flying in parts of the UK. Well done getting to grips with our bizarre ‘services’! ‘What service do you require? - actually, we can’t give you a service…why did you call us?!!! You did great as a ‘foreigner’ - you were well briefed. Welcome to the ‘best place in the world for general aviation! ‘
Loved this video thanks! Especially seeing the Dragon Rapide taxi at 16:50! I had the pleasure of helping restore her after an accident as part of my work experience at school around 17 years ago. Brought back some great memories!
I love how relaxed and quintessentially British a solo flight is in the UK (especially with ATC) compared to what you get with Stevo Kinevo flying in the U.S.
For a pilot from Germany, flying VFR in England seems very hard. If I need traffic service I call FIS, get a transponder code, and occasionally have to switch to the next sector. They also coordinate airspace crossings for you. In the UK I'd be terrified of not being able to pronounce "conspicuity" :D
Honestly it's one of the worst words in the whole of the english language. Lots of people just say "squawk 7000" to avoid it. Funny thing is, if you don't mind not taking a service for most of that flight Steph could have just not talked to anyone.
I fly here all the time and I'm only just getting used to "squawk conspicuity"!
The squawk conspiquity is there to save confusion between VFR and IFR traffic. So if you are asked to squawk conspiquity (and you are flying VFR for example), you say 'squawk 7000' which tells the controller your onward flight is VFR post handover. IFR vice versa. Don't say 'squawk conspiquity' back to your controller
@@peanuts2105 I’m afraid you are wrong. If you look at CAP 413 section 5.9 you will see that according to the CAA the correct phraseology in response to “squawk conspicuity” is in fact “squawk conspicuity”
I understand your fear. When I was living in Switzerland I made a flight up to the UK to visit a friend and was shocked by the disorganisation after crossing the Channel. I knew this from my planning but it can be very confusing all the overlapping radars and information zones. France and Switzerland FIS regions are clearly distinguished and you know when you are passing from one to another and who to contact. Passing north of London I was offered three different people to contact. And of course I made the wrong choice. Coming back I did a better job having learned on the flight up. Anyways everyone was very friendly, understanding of my confusion and helpful so despite the chaos I enjoyed flying in the UK.
As a humble UK microlight pilot I can appreciate the preparation and workload of a flight like this. Awesome job. It reminds me how happy I am flying VFR in an open cockpit, non radio aircraft with just an asi, altimeter, compass, vario, egt and cht for company, with the mark 1 eyeball for traffic avoidance. Ignorance is bliss, lol.
THAT was an absolute delight. Things have changed a lot since I was an RAF ATCO and controlling pretty well all of East Anglia and especially 'Honington Zone, Hub of de Universe'. My Mil traffic was huge and we managed all of the erratic VFR civs, too. The civs especially were generously grateful for the super service we gave. That seems to have dropped away. My first ATCO base was Wattisham which is now Army.
I got my PPL in the SF Bay Area when I was 19. From the Bay Bridge to the southern end of the Bay there are 8 airports including SFO, OAK, SJC and the Moffet Federal Airfield. Even on one of the more complex VFR transitions (i.e. Palo Alto to San Jose) there is less complexity than it appears flying VFR in the UK. I am super impressed by your calm, good nature attitude to it all. Love your videos and thanks for sharing your experiences!
I just love the British accent over the radio. It's so clear and polite and relaxed. I felt like I was listening to an episode of the Vicar of Dibley. I assume the American was USAF controllers at RAF Lakenheath. And that was a nice ending to the video. #Hurracain >.>
😂 Classic Cambridge!
I haven't worked there for a while now. But If I recall correctly the CAA instructed Cambridge to stop giving Basic Service on initial contact because it is a radar unit. So they're mandated to ask despite 90% of their traffic only wanting a Basic.
Massive props for giving them a call though. The sheer number of GA into Duxford who don't and then fly straight through the final approach is crazy. I know it's outside the ATZ so there is no requirement to call Cambridge but it's good airmanship to do so.
That was great! The IWM at Duxford is one of my favourite places on earth.
Thank you Stefan for another amazing video
My pleasure, thanks for riding along.
I would love to get into flying in the future! These videos make me a little closer to that dream!!
It’s an amazing privilege to be able to see the world this way. I hope you achieve your flying goals as well.
Fantastic video. I've seen numerous videos of aviators visiting the UK and experiencing UK airspace and comms for the first time whilst airborne having done no preparation or planning beforehand. Was a pleasant surprise watching this seeing you've researched our idiosyncrasies and have made a true effort! The south east is a busy place and it took me months to conjure up the courage to do it myself. Safe flying!
Thanks man.
My grandparents used to take me to Duxford when I was a bipper.
I grew up in kings Lynn, which you awesomely overflew on this video.
I went on to instruct on the Cirrus at Moorabbin. You and I have shared a circuit a few times.
I now fly RPT out of Melbourne.
This video was amazing!
The airport that you could see, looked a bit like RAF Sculthorpe to me.
The danger area over the wash used to be live firing. Not sure what they do there now.
Hello Norman, lots of connections in this video for you! Nice to know we've been in the same airspace in Moorabbin at one point. Thanks for watching, and for the info on that danger area. Good to know.
Welcome to UK airspace... Lots of frequency changes and airspace to navigate around, but definitely fun like you say! The awareness of traffic around us alot of pilots in the UK use skydemon paired with an electronic conspicuity device (skyecho) and that gives ads-b in and out, so you'll get a nice readout of aircraft on your iPad or whatever device you are using, it's not completely foolproof though but it does give you some more awareness.
That disused airfield is probably Wendling or Sculthorpe
Former RAF Wendling is here 9:46 (top of the screen) and the big airfield at 10:16 is MoD Sculthorpe.
Really enjoyed that; you coped admirably. You were in my airspace - Lydd, Ashford etc. And believe me, those places are SO much better from the air than on the ground. Safe travels.
Ha, oh dear, poor Lydd and Ashford. Well from the air I can confirm they looked great.
15yo Stef would have been happy, and 62 year old Dave is impressed, happy and thoroughly enjoyed your talk-through of this trip. And yep, Duxford is a VERY special place and well worth spending considerably more than 2 hours on!!! Thanks heaps for the vicarious fun, you just gained a sub 👍
My local airfield and my fav, good to have you home Stef 👍
Duxford is awesome and I regularly visit from Elstree! Air Show days are great to fly into coz you miss the traffic and feel part of the air show itself! It is cool to be in the circuit with Spitfires and Sea Furys etc!!!!
I can’t remember if I went on an Airshow day to Duxford as a kid, but I’d love to get back there for an Airshow in the future. Yes, a wonderful place. Really glad I visited.
10:15 That airpot is former RAF Sculthorpe. Use to store nuclear bombs back in the war. Its now used for training. Parachute drops and ground based stuff.
Fantastic video, really enjoyed seeing you flying through the UK airspace, as a UK resident and flight simmer it was nice to see the interactions you got and the processes you followed.
Thanks Andrew, I appreciate that.
I live just down the road from Duxford. So much history in that place! Great video.
Lovely video - many thanks!
Great video, loved it. I live near Duxford and likewise, mine and friends interest in aviation was born here as kids. As a teen my mum surprised me with a joy flight Stansted to Stansted on an Air UK Fokker 100. Returning to Stansted we were actually part of the Duxford airshow and did a couple low passes. You could hear in the pilots voices they were like big kids. They left the cockpit intercom open for most of the flight. Happy Flying!
I used to live down the road, in ickleton place.
Normally staying with LARS is the easiest thing to do. I’m based at Shoreham and most of the time it’s unnecessary to speak to each individual airfield you pass (like Lydd), unless it’s through their ATZ. Great video!
Wow, Stefan. I really enjoyed that video. It took me back about 25 years to my own flight into Duxford. A fairly new PPL in hand, I had done my cross country qualifier from Wellesbourne to Cambridge (obligatory coffee and cake) so I was familiar with Duxford to the south. So I set off one sunny summer's day, more or less following my previous track to Cambridge, then turned south for Duxford. I was thrilled to land and taxi in, under the watchful eye of some of the museum visitors on the other side of the fence. My Piper Tomahawk was parked at one end of the flight line, and a Hurricane and Spitfire at the other! A smashing day taking in the museum's contents and then a flight back westwards. And all with talking to just two or three ATC units! Great memories but I am no longer flying due to retirement and health problems, that's life!
i could watch this man fly all day
You Sir are very competent and able. Great video. Loads of history at Duxford, never enough time.
YOUR VIDEO IS WAY MORE INTERESTING THAN OTHERS IN THE USA.
Great video Stef. As a fellow ex-pat (living in Melbourne's southeast suburbs) I guess I share many of the same memories of growing up in the UK. I'm going back for a trip in November, and you have just inspired me to put Duxford on my list of places to visit. Flight radar sends me alerts when EYZ is active, and if you're flying overhead I always wave 🙂
What an amazing story!
Duxford was actually the destination of my first solo navigation flight, so I got to know the aerodrome pretty well. It's a brilliant place. Can't really beat the "hold position, Spitfire crossing" instruction! And I fly from Elstree. (in relation to your previous video)
I'm sure you caught it later, Duxford is AFIS ("Information"), not A/G "Radio".
I'm not surprised you got your zone transit declined, happens more often than not! And the controller asking what service you want while he can't offer anything above basic is pretty standard too, they're sometimes a bit useless! You should try the MATZ penetration next time. ;)
My PPL arrived in the post today, so seeing all those places I know and ones I'll now be able to fly to myself was so amazing. Thank you Stef!
Congratulations on the PPL! :D
England airspace is so cool, the amount of old bombers, fighters and new jets ect flying over everyday, especially in the midlands
Top tip - the RAF don't work weekends :) And they go home early on Fridays.
Awesome video Stef as always and loved the little nod to Concorde at the end as she's always been one of my favourite aircraft types 😊
The voice in Concorde is John Hutchinson who was a Concorde captain. Many interviews with him on CZcams and I’ve just bought his book - the wind beneath my wings - great read. Great upload !!
brilliant of the 15s to provide musical accompaniment .....
Stumbled into your channel and really enjoyed this video Duxford is amazing and like yourself the place that sparked my love of flying. Ive not had the chance to fly in yet but its on my bucket list.
It by far has the best plane museum
Thanks for the memories Stefan.
Growing up in Suffolk in the UK (also, now in Melbourne), spent many family days in the 80's at airshows at Duxford and Mildenhall (When it was a US air base).
Although never following a path into piloting, those memories meant I have always loved aviation.
Always found Duxford very helpful and a great place to fly into - The majority of airfields round the UK are PPR ( Prior Permission Required) which is just a phone call into the them to say what you are and what sort of ETA you have.
After growing up in England and learning to fly in Adelaide Australia, it was great to see Ole blighty again. thanks buddy that was appreciated !
Excellent video thanks, I enjoyed that very much! So subscribed… Holbeach and Donna Nook by the wash are Bombing Ranges!
RAF Holbeach, on the "Wash" at 10:30 is an "Air to ground" gunnery and bombing range. I used to go there from RAF Honnington back in the seventies to blow up smaller quantities of out of date ammunition etc....., on the tidal part of the range. We could watch the Buccaneers, Jaguars and the USAF A10's using practice bombs and ground straffing a few hundred yards away.
Really great videos of you flying around the UK. It's clear that you had read up on the rules and didn't just moan about the system in the UK but adapted to it. Plus I think your point on PPR is very valid. I think it can come from the fact in peak summer some of these fields get rammed all in one go, so they want to control the flow rate. But I think having PPR in summer months or set periods might be a better system.
You made me smile all the way through, great stuff!
That airfield maybe Eye........
I'm new to your channel and its fascinating the amount of Air Traffic control chat. Def subscribing.
Great video. Brings back memories. I flew VFR into Duxford from Dublin as a low hour recently licensed PPL 40 years ago, it was an amazing place to visit, with the trip through so many zones, busy busy busy on the radio, upper hayford was awkward, it was a great learning experience. IFR is so much more relaxing than low alt VFR through the southern UK.
Not from an aviation background myself, just love planes. Found this video so interesting and well done. Keep up the great work my friend.
Wow I felt so homesick watching this you flew very close to my house on Boston Lincs
I did my training at Shoreham, great to see you flying the area, makes the memories flood in and glad you could experience it
Thank you for showing Concorde at duxford, my grandad helped to build it, the plane all the experts in aviation said could not fly
So glad I've stumbled upon this channel. It's incredibly relaxing and interesting to watch. Thank you.
you should try to visit Duxford on a warbirds display day or airshow day. You can se the museum in the morning and settle on the wet grass to watch the flying in the afternoon.
don't forget the land army museum there too
Nice one, Stefan. Worked and volunteered at Duxford over 40 years ago. A favourite place.
That airfield at 10:18 looks to be MoD Sculthorpe - ex RAF Sculthorpe (now Heritage Centre) - which I think was USAF Nuclear Deterrant against the USSR. D207 is a weapons range.
5:25 I live in Southend, near the airport. you flew over my house!
Really enjoy your videos
Duxford is so cool the airshow there is really good
That was such a Brilliant vlog
Awesome stuff Stef! I landed her a few months back on a solo landway in my DA40! Great airport to fly into if you're an aviation enthusiast! Love to see how you're getting on with navigating through airspace in the UK! it's defo different to other places. Love the work
From Elstree?
Very cool flight vid 👍.
I had an F15 buzz me once and it was a darn sight closer than that lol, gave me an adrenaline rush. ❤️🇬🇧
My first flight was at Duxford. Passed my PPL over a year ago. And still need to make the pilgrimage to Duxford.
I literally live across the road from this place, you could see my house on the approach. Always wanted to actually fly, will have to look into it more again.
Great to see one of my favourite Aviation content creators flying around my home county of Norfolk.
Thanks for saying that Tim, it was a great flight, thanks for riding along.
Excellent vid - thank you.🙂 Great attitude to another country's weird & wonderful methods (you don't criticise, you work with), and your pride in coming full circle back to the wonderful Duxford from young Stef to older Stef, is exactly right.🙂 Good job. 🇬🇧
Thank you! Really glad you enjoyed flying along.
What a lovely Video. I live in Norfolk and loved the (brief but beautiful) overhead of Scolt Head Island and Brancaster Staithe Harbour. I used to live on the flight path of RAF Sculthorpe when it was active. It has been closed for some years now but the runway still used by the military from time to time - mainly at night!
That disused aerodrome you were unsure about would probably have been the old RAF Sculthorpe, now used for training parachute drops
Yeah, I had a look on Google Earth and you're definitely right.
Hi Stefan enjoyed this duxford video very much along with the elstree to shoreham one. The HOLBEACH AREA is a large bombing practise range, during the gulf war we had a holiday cottage a few miles away , there was a lot of action at that time. Although a LONDONER when i got married we moved in the direction of EAST ANGLIA and went to many of the superb air shows put on at the U S bases . Our house was 10 miles from U S / R A F CHICKSANDS which housed a huge listening device called THE ELEPHANT CAGE 440 METRES IN DIAMETRE AN ELECTRONICS LISTENING POST, there are several around the world although this one was demolished when the americans left the base. it was an amazing structure to look at approx 150 foot high and we allways felt it made us high on any russian target list. Have visited Duxford several times as you said it is very good sop much to see. Safe and happy flying Dave B
Good for you, man. Nice flight vid. Memories relived and made. Nice.
Duxford is great. Lived nearby for a while just over a decade ago, and took my kids to the airshow there. (Great cafe!)
Hey Stefan, keep up the great content and videos! Your videos make me continue to believe in being a pilot!
The Area you was wondering about at Holbeach, is a LIVE FIREING RANGE used by the RAF, USA Airforce, F15's and F35's, and the RAF Typhoons fighter jets, keep well way from that area at all times LOL
The wash is used for military stuff, including live firing exercises
Dread to think what the landing fees are there if museum is included, but still a very cool spot to fly into. That D2 zone I believe was mod Holbeach live fire zone used by RAF lakenheath,Mildenhall for training strafing / bombing sorties.
I love Shoreham Aerodrome.
This is so cool!
Wahey you flew overhead Southend. Whilst we might be a big aerodrome in the sense we're near London, we're relatively quiet since COVID. Hope you enjoyed your flights over here!
I did, thank you. Great service from the ATCs there.
Was this on a weekend. I was a military pilot stationed at Wattisham and they didn’t open on Sat/Sun. Aaaah, good times! 😅
Oh man, seeing the spitty and the tiger moth must've been great.
Cool flight and cool museum - visited with my son a few years ago. So much to see, have to go back again some time ❤😊
Got my private pilots license at RAF Woodbridge in '77. Loved flying over there. Duxford is a great place to spend time.
I recently did my QXC and landed at Shoreham. It's so nice out there and the controllers were so good... Great to see you flying in England. Interesting to hear you compare and contrast your experience in England with what you're more used to in Australia.
I think the big airfield you referred to is RAF Sculthorpe in Norfolk. It is a disused USAF base where I lived for a few years in the 70’s.
Disused is the STANTA Battle training area at Sculthorpe near Fakenham and was originally a diversion airfield for the U2 when it was at Mildenhall in the 80-90's. The D-20t danger area is an active military live firng and bombing range called Holbeach range. Interestingly, when the A10 warthogs were at Bentwaters; you could hear the 3 second bursts of the gatling guns from around 5 miles away with the wind in the right direction
Love you videos and I think I saw you play over my town