Planning a Flight
Before you set off for Ronaldsway, as for any other flight, there are a few things you should consider.
NOTE: This information is provided as an easy reference for the pre-flight planning stage. However before you fly you must check the official publications and the NOTAM for the latest information.
If you are in the IOM or UK, Ronaldsway Flight Briefing Office will be happy to help; phone 01624 821625.
Pilots in the UK can get aviation forecasts and actual weather reports from the Met. office: 01624 821641
The Isle of Man controlled airspace is class D, which means that:
- a flight plan is required. This should preferably be the full CA48 form filed from your departure airfield, particularly if you are flying a single engined aircraft; remember that a large portion of your flight will be over water.
- you must obtain a clearance before entering controlled airspace. You should call 10 minutes before your boundary estimate, which may be difficult from some quadrants due to radio coverage limitations, but in any case you should give as much notice as possible. Don't forget that in some circumstances you may be required to remain outside CAS until a clearance can be issued.
The Isle of Man is subject to the provisions of the Prevention of Terrorism Act; you must depart for Ronaldsway from one of the designated airfields listed in the AIP, and report to the Police Examining Officer at Ronaldsway on arrival and before departure.
Don't forget to check your met. forecast. The Island can have dramatically different weather from nearby areas, and can be subject to sea fog as well. Of course, you do check the forecast before every flight, don't you?
On your first call to Ronaldsway Approach, it would be helpful if you added "inbound" or "transit" to your call, as appropriate. e.g. "Ronaldsway approach - GABCD - inbound"
This helps ATC when creating a flight progress strip for your flight, as inbounds and overflights are different colours.
On being asked to give your flight details, you should state:
- your callsign (reg or flight number)
- your aircraft type,
- your level,
- your estimate for the field, (as a time, e.g. "at time 45". and not as - "in 15 minutes")
- the type of clearance you want.
"GABCD, a PA28 inbound from Blackpool, 1500 feet, estimate the field at time 45, request VFR clearance."
If the weather is marginal, the approach controller will give you the latest weather report, and then ask you to state the type of clearance you want, i.e. IFR, VFR or SVFR. This is because with current legislation, in the same weather conditions the type of clearance a pilot can accept differs according to his ratings, and so it is up to the pilot to request the appropriate clearance. In certain weather conditions the Approach Controller will only be able to offer either an IFR or a SVFR clearance, so before you accept, be sure that you have the experience and ratings to do so.
Once you have obtained a clearance, stick to it. If the weather deteriorates, and you have difficulty maintaining the required flight conditions, don't just press on. The best option is to divert, but if for any reason you can't do that, then inform ATC of your problem and ask for assistance. ATC are there to help, and will do their best, with the aid of D/F or radar, to provide navigational assistance and ensure that you arrive safely without becoming a hazard to other aircraft.
This is a general guide only, and you'll find a more complete list in UK AIP AD2.2.
There is a new General Aviation Report for the Isle of Man Constabulary. The form comes into effect Monday 9th June 2003. All general aviation pilots are encouraged to use the form from this date. The form is similar to one used in the UK.
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