Rest assured, that is a specific UK problem and is not encountered elsewhere. Lots of threads on it here. You were probably in class Golf at FL90 north of London (although that must have been quite a bit north of London). When you come from controlled airspace, and then get into uncontrolled airspace, UK ATC will “drop” you since they no longer need to control you, and basically leave you alone. Then, when later some more piece of controlled airspace approaches, YOU need to get yorself a new clearance. Being “on an IFR flightplan” does not mean anything there. It’s a shame; a totally outdated and disjointed ATC system where every controller only has “his own” airspace in mind and there is very little coordination. But again, it won’t happen elsewhere.
Thanks. I’ll read up on this, but are you saying that nobody provides separation? I have adsb-in but afaik there is no STC for air to air missiles for the PA-23 ..
(or a STC for an airborne primary radar :))
but are you saying that nobody provides separation?
Yes, unless you request (and receive) what is called a “deconfliction service” from some ATC unit that has radar and happens to have coverage for the area you are transiting (and eve nthen, there will be non-transponding traffic out there). However, at 180 knots, you will be flying out of these (relatively small) coverage areas very quickly, so the benefit will be small. But again, that’s UK only. (Well, in other European countries, ATC will not provide full spearation either, but they will give you traffic information as far as possible). Then, there are also countries where IFR is not allowed outside of controlled airspace (Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Croatia).
given that our service ceiling is supposed to be FL300
That’s awesome! Even a turbo Aztec “should” have a ~FL250 ceiling, no more.
Then, there are also countries where IFR is not allowed outside of controlled airspace (Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Croatia).
Indeed, so the “UK problem” isn’t quite unique to the UK. What is unique to the UK is the panic which breaks out among the IFR controllers (basically the owners of the extensive Class A) if somebody unknown enters their airspace, and the reason he will be unknown is because there was no handover.
For sure the UK has lots of foreign aircraft doing CAS busts. It’s easily done especially coming from France, because if you are flying low (say below FL100) you get a handover by e.g. Lille to “London 124.6” which only a UK local will know is FIS and his IFR clearance is now gone. It’s only if you are with Paris Control (which used to need FL120+; IME it can be done today as low as FL100) that they will hand you over to London Control and then your IFR clearance is preserved.
It’ all caused by ATC funding and is intensely political.
Since the introduction of SERA in 2014 all EASA member states must allow IFR in uncontrolled airspace, no?
There are many things that EASA says member states must do, but the reality often is different.
William – nice trip report. It’s always fun to read about Atlantic crossings, as they trigger the imagination and shrinks the world. I remember you from BT forum and glad you got to fly your aircraft back to Europe!
Adam!!! I remember watching stratobee’s videos and dreaming about a twin – you were an inspiration! If you travel to France don’t forget to message me! How’s the twin commander going?
That’s awesome! Even a turbo Aztec “should” have a ~FL250 ceiling, no more.
Honestly I’ve no clue. POH says “above 30,000 feet” and we were doing more than 500fpm at FL190 (full boost, ~36 inHg or so, 125 mph indicated) but I never dared going higher. What scares me the most is a heater failure. I had one VFR at 16,500 (stuck there because I was out of IFR currency) and it went down to -16C in the cabin in a few minutes. Almost picked up an IFR clearance but I saw a hole and went down at 2500fpm :)
Thanks for asking, light at the end of the tunnel is starting to show. The instructor is test flying the new avionics today. Hopefully won’t be too many gremlins! Will hit you up if I ever make it over to Europe with the flying restoration.
