Overberg ATC - what a pleasure!
Posted: Mon Oct 08, 2007 1:07 pm
You know how it is... newbie pilot starting to venture out of the cabbage patch and explore new places... 
So (with a bit of trepidation) I phone Overberg military ATC...explain to them that I'm a wet-behind-the ears gyro pilot who has a house in Arniston and I'm keen to do some flying around there this Summer without treading on ATC toes!
Well - a more helpfull, friendly and accommodating response I could not have asked for! Apart from the standard approach etc procedures they said that they'll be running a skeleton crew during the summer holidays so a quick phone call to the ATC before arriving or flying will also help them (and me!) to avoid any unecessary delays should the test range be active etc.
I'm sure the old hands will say that it's no big deal - standard approach procedures etc - but for the less experienced this helpfull attitude from an ATC goes a long way to settling the nerves when flying into "new" airspace and just makes the whole experience more enjoyable and fun!
So (with a bit of trepidation) I phone Overberg military ATC...explain to them that I'm a wet-behind-the ears gyro pilot who has a house in Arniston and I'm keen to do some flying around there this Summer without treading on ATC toes!
Well - a more helpfull, friendly and accommodating response I could not have asked for! Apart from the standard approach etc procedures they said that they'll be running a skeleton crew during the summer holidays so a quick phone call to the ATC before arriving or flying will also help them (and me!) to avoid any unecessary delays should the test range be active etc.
I'm sure the old hands will say that it's no big deal - standard approach procedures etc - but for the less experienced this helpfull attitude from an ATC goes a long way to settling the nerves when flying into "new" airspace and just makes the whole experience more enjoyable and fun!