Northern route past waterkloof

[Turbo]

Hi all,

Please could someone tell Me if they are aware of a route called the northern route which is an alternate route down past waterkloof, alternative to the independent route?? Does anyone have the AIPs for this route?

[thys bas]

Hi Turbo,

Are you referring to Waterkloof Air Force base in Pretoria?

[Turbo]

Hi there

Yes I am - flew through pinene this morning, but need to find out about the northern route, and where this route is and how to fly it.

[justin.schoeman]

The Northern route is along the border between FAWK and FAWB CTRs - directly over the Pretoria CBD. The routing is not compatible with most NTCA ATF...

[John.com]

The Northern route is along the border between FAWK and FAWB CTRs - directly over the Pretoria CBD. The routing is not compatible with most NTCA ATF...

In fact the route in the gap between the FAWB and FAWK CTRs is just north of the Pretoria CBD, and just to the SOUTH of the Magaliesberg Ridge.

Whereas the section you are flying over is the south face of the Magaliesberg ridge, so technically not 'built-up', any problems en route would leave you with zero options insofar as an emergency landing goes. So, as correctly stated above, this route would require 'overflying a built-up area', something not allowed for NTCA!

The other option, which is around the top of the FAWB CTR is V-E-R-Y L-O-N-G!!!

The following Google Earth screenshot references the Pretoria CBD and Wonderboom (FAWB) to the north (blue aeroplane), along with the route in RED.

Attached is the Google Earth .kmz file for the route.

Safe Skies!

John.com

[PeterGrant]

Hi Guys,
There is no gap between Waterkloof and Wonderboom airspaces, if you route along the Magaliesburg ridge then you're in FAWB airspace.
Call the tower and they nearly always give you clearance, they might deny you due to heavy traffic so be prepared for the long route north.
Its better to phone them before you take off and they will advise you.
There is nowhere to land (except maybe for a trike) but at least you wont crash into a house!
Waterkloof will deny all NTCA aircraft in their airspace except the Pinedene route or with pre-arranged permission.

Fly safely
Peter.

[Low Level]

There is indeed a gap of around 500 meters between the Waterkloof and Wonderboom airspaces. It willl take you South of the Northern ridge, approximately over the Michael Brink road in Villiera, routing east of the city centre. We usually fly this route going to the Hartebeespoortdam area from Rhino or Kitty Hawk.

Going west, you call Waterkloof tower when over Mamelodi, and they will grant, or deny you access to this route over the city. Routing west they will route you usually at 5500 feet and routing east you call Waterkloof tower abeam Atteridgeville, and they will usually route you at 6000 feet. Between the N4 and abeam Atteridgeville one stays under control, and report to Waterkloof.
5 500 feet is uncomfortably low over built-up area. You can request 6500 ft - going west - to be a bit on the safer side. Early morning is usually not a problem, but later when traffic picks up we were once denied use of this route, then its North of Wonderboom CTR, or Pinedine.

I flew this route two weeks ago on a Friday morning. No problems and friendly ATC at Waterkloof.

NOTE. It is a scary - but very satisfying - route with NO options for fixed wings for about five minutes - i.e. 10 miles. I take my chances with the gyro searching for schools' rugby fields all the time.

P.S. Flew the Pinedene route quite a while back, but if I remember correctly there is also times in the air with very limited options for safe landings.

[John.com]

There is indeed a gap of around 500 meters between the Waterkloof and Wonderboom airspaces.

Indeed. I didn't want to get into a spat with petergrant but that is how I remember it as well. The two CTRs do NOT touch, but have a gap.

The one reason that FAWB will deny you routing along the ridge is when they are doing parachute jumps.

On one occasion I had FAWB deny me routing due to parachute jumping and referred me to FAWK. Well, enough said . . . . I think they were either AWOL or asleep! So I ducked into FAWK CTR and kept my head down! I continued to call FAWK and gave my position on their frequency, and in 5mins popped out the other side!

[Bundy]

The routing is not compatible with most NTCA ATF...

It's quite interesting to note that if you have an ATF issued by the CAA (IE after an accident) the wording on the ATF changes...

CAA ATF:

4.3 All flights are conducted under VMC by day and will not be undertaken over built up areas and open air assemblies of persons except for the purposes of take off and landing.

RAASA ATF:

4.3 All flights are conducted under VMC by day and unless unavoidable will not be undertaken over built up areas and open air assemblies of persons except for the purposes of take off and landing.

If we take the bottom one, I think it fair to state that it IS unavoidable to fly East/West across the greater Pretoria area without flying over a built up area.
Between the two routes, Pinedene (which I have flown 3 times) is prob the "safer" option but still takes you over at least 5 miles of "accident site". Its OK towards the East but between the N1 and the R55 interchange there is very little open space that is reachable at the height you normally route over it.

Flying is about risk management. If you are willing to take the risk, that's your choice and legal right.

At this stage they are both options....but it will just take a serious accident to change all that in my opinion. I will not fly that Northern route in my trike because I dont like the options, but that's my choice...you make your own decisions.

[Turbo]

thanks gents -- much appreciated -- will study the google maps file and give this a bash perhaps tomorrow if time allows in the AM.

Regards the pindene - the route to follow according to the AIC's is the 5 power lines -- now try landing on them..... hehe i was told to fly at 5500 or lower, and suggested it be lower -- so i did, and i have to say, i prefer it.... except for options in case of emergency ....

the gent who told me about the Northern route also told me you can see the union buildings when flying this route - so it is close to the CBD ...

[bobthebuilder]

On one occasion I had FAWB deny me routing due to parachute jumping and referred me to FAWK. Well, enough said . . . . I think they were either AWOL or asleep! So I ducked into FAWK CTR and kept my head down! I continued to call FAWK and gave my position on their frequency, and in 5mins popped out the other side!

The controllers at FAWK dont work on weekends unless they are expecting traffic of the diplomatic variety.

[Frank Smallwood]

One of The dual cross countries that I did for my training was from FABA via Pinedene route to Hartebeespoorte dam and back along southern side of FAWB. We called in over Rosslyn and were given permission to fly along Magalies ridge to Mamelodi. I was vaguely aware of lack of landing options and Merwyn had me pointing out alternatives. There were a few sports fields which would serve in an emergency but with the brakes on my Aquilla I would be likely to end up in a fence even if I got it down close to edge of field.
Cheers Frank

[Low Level]

The controllers at FAWK dont work on weekends unless they are expecting traffic of the diplomatic variety.

Not entirely true. Spoke to them on many Saturdays. They just don't like to work before 7:00 on weekends.

If nobody answers your radio calls at Waterkloof, you just relay your intentions on SRE op untill the N1, going west, and then change over to SRW. Stick to the heights - 5500 or 6500 going west, and 6000 going east. No sweat.

the gent who told me about the Northern route also told me you can see the union buildings when flying this route - so it is close to the CBD ...

If you know where to look, you will see it.

City centre

From the north

Zuma se huis op die rif.

[Turbo]

ZUMA se G&T!