I land at the airfield with 29 pages of rules.

I land at the airfield with 29 pages of rules and procedures. How hard can it be?
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[@Outofcontrol39]

I enjoyed the video. Good, clear explanation of all the procedures involved and a nice summary of Blackbushe's history and the plans for the future.

[@TheFlyingReporter]

Thanks for watching.

[@monkmodemalik8225]

The amount of noise abatement in the uk is frankly ridiculous, as long as you follow rule 5 what can they do?

[@thomasdalton1508]

They can deny your request for PPR in future. If they don't enforce the noise abatement rules, they will probably be in breach of their planning conditions and the local authority could shut them down.

[@musoseven8218]

It's a 'mare. I'm of the impression now that the masses, the CAA, tptb don't want GA these days🤔🙄💔

[@thomasdalton1508]

@@musoseven8218 It's not that people don't want it. They just don't want it anywhere near them. Noise abatement is the result of NIMBYism.

[@dave1981sam]

Unfortunately moaners and their feelings seem to have a lot of clout

[@MrHenreee]

Call your local counsel and have your trash bins repossessed

[@sailwesterly5444]

Haven't checked in here for a while and it's a joy to see how much your flying (perfect PA-28 touchdown there on 07) and pilot confidence has sky-rocketed. Fantastic stuff. Well done.

[@TheFlyingReporter]

Thanks for coming back - please do come back again soon.

[@openbabel]

Questions Will the new development proposals include Extension of threshold fence to an extended stubb on runway 27 threshold to protect walkers on the ground ? Will they at last be acquiring land at the end of runway 27 from public car parking for a lake and sand pit for aircraft over running the runway ? This way flagged up in the CAA report into te crash of Insarma binlarden family jet which crashed at the end of runway 27. Please note that the pathfinder cafe was named after the mosquitos which took off in ww2 to proceed the bombers to spot the targets. It is claimed that they also took part in the Ameon raid at the close of the war.

[@northlonguy]

Just wondered if u have thought abut about a review of Elstree? Couple of interesting points that I know about. 1. Was where Graham Hill was coming in to land and crashed at Arkley Golf club. ( there’s a plaque on the first hole marking the place). ; If you did decide to do one. I’d be happy to send you a pic of this for your video. 2. Was also the home of Capital Radio’s flying eye. Not a bad eatery there also. Which always helps! Just a thought. Love your stuff. Must admit haven’t a clue re the technical stuff but I just love aviation in all its forms.

[@TheFlyingReporter]

Hi. If you are on good terms with the airport management, please mention it to them. I met them last year and they didn't appear overly interested at the time.

[@littlelawson06]

Having done both my PPL(H) and CPL(H) from Blackbushe it feels funny to think that anyone would think it's daunting. I guess once you are used to operating from any airfield its pretty easy to do...

[@TheFlyingReporter]

When thinking about whether procedures and abnormal operations have become too complex, I often try to put myself in the shoes of someone diverting in bad weather or with a sick passenger. Thinking about Blackbushe or any of the the SE airfields with ATZs partly within controlled airspace, Redhill, Fairoaks, Blackbushe, etc I think it would be a challenge in those circumstances. The airspace is complex, low level, and the procedures non-standard - and when you're at your most vulnerable, that's when problems occur. It's fine in CAVOK in normal operations for an airfield to be manageable if you know it, but is that good enough? Now that I know Blackbushe, it's a breeze - but I would have thought twice about diverting there in an pinch, if I hadn't operated from there before.

[@davidnorman9701]

Great video as always John…I am based at Blackbushe and think is a great GA airfield. As you say, it looks a tad complicated for visitors but as is often the case with flying, if you do your homework, read the notes and have a good look at the charts, the reality is easier than it looks on paper. The tower staff are first class and very professional….highly recommend the airfield to pilots who haven’t been in before or for while.

[@adriandigby9813]

Great video and as a pilot who flies from Blackbushe it was great to hear your approach to joining from Farnborough. Once you know the set up it isn’t too daunting and the team in the tower here are fab and will always support anyone looking to come to visit. 😊

[@TheFlyingReporter]

They are great, and will help. But I tend to look at these things from the point of view of a pilot diverting in poor weather. Is it so complex in such situations so as to be a hazard. As you say, once you know it, it's easy - but someone coming in with high workload and MVFR, could be really hard work/stressful/high workload/distraction etc.

[@adriandigby9813]

Agree the workload can be high and I really like your approach into Blackbushe to give yourselves more time. I spent time with the tower and they said it’s a great option to go east or west on busy days as I can tell you that after you cross Farnborough centreline things happen super quick, and if you can’t get a space to make your call to Blackbushe then the heart rate increases! I always have the read back printed which also makes life easier. Diverting with little knowledge would be tough and that’s why I think it’s great to get as much experience visiting different airfields in the Uk - something on my to do list. Also watching your videos is a great insight and appreciate your support to all us pilots out there. Happy flying

[@AlexM2299]

Great video, first time viewer of the channel. Loved the interview and history aspect you put in here!

[@TheFlyingReporter]

Thanks Alex. Please come back for more!

[@Robinbamv]

The biggest problem with Blackbushe is following slow microlight traffic in the circuit there is little room on runway 25 to make a wide circuit or join the final approach track wide enough to stay behind the slow traffic. The result is usualy a go-around or if they are busy several go-around. It is a place that can have its difficulty’s if you are flying a fast(ish) aircraft as your approach closing speed on the microlights can be 25Kts+. If you can get your approach speed below about 65Kts the place is not much of a problem.

[@Eileens_dog]

One stage of flap, 'loud lever' pulled back and it's manageable. Wide and extended circuits at the 'bushe are MOR bait

[@Robinbamv]

@@Eileens_dog But it in some types it is quite difficult to stay at Vyse until committal height and stand behind the microlights

[@Eileens_dog]

Oh I hear that!!!!

[@michaelherriott9230]

Dear Jon thanks for your report super video on Blackbush very nice to watch, takes me back to aldershot in the 1950s when i was 10 years old my fathers mate was in the Parachute Regiment , i am 81 now and they used blackbush airport. regards from Mike

[@TheFlyingReporter]

Thanks for watching Michael.

[@johndale7760]

Enjoyed this sequence very much, and can see you'd make a fine instructor too. In Oz, we enjoy en-routes at twice the altitude or more (you always seem so low!), and none of this "pass your message" (which you've mostly already done) nonsense. But Oh, Jon, what we'd give for the airfield cafes and snack bars. Our regional GA fields are usually tumbleweed country. A cafe latte with a Cumberland sausage sandwich post arrival would be heaven!

[@TheFlyingReporter]

Hi John. Yeh, I picked up on that, hence the comment in the video about this. It's one thing the UK is very good at.

[@harryscott3741]

Jon, you know this video is so good. Absolutely seamless and very useful. Many congratulations, well deserved. Kind regards, Harry Scott PS would be fun to bump into you when you’re next at my home base, Earls Colne

[@TheFlyingReporter]

Thanks Harry - you're very kind- thanks for watching and taking the time to comment.

[@farmer6861]

Another airfield operating after losing a complex planning issue - I wonder John what you think about the final destruction of the WW1 Grade 2* Listed Hangar at Old Sarum Airfield. Another example of a once glorious leisure flyer base/destination embroiled in a long-running battle between locals, the council and the owner/developer, that shows no sign of abating anytime soon. I wonder if you could also give your impression of how “spotter”- friendly/welcoming to those of us who enjoy parking up and watching airfield operations from the comfort/convenience of our own cars? Thank you for another interesting take on Blackbushe from a quite highly qualified PPL holder’s perspective.

[@TheFlyingReporter]

Good idea about the spotter friendly aspect - will mull on that.

[@kevinbarber6022]

Great video, the departure video on the supporters club was really interesting and informative as well

[@stuartrobb673]

It’s always really weird to watch the exploits of my old plane up on KZbin. Nice to see it’s being put to good use.

[@TheFlyingReporter]

The aircraft is doing great, but missing you Stuart!

[@stuartrobb673]

I lost my medical because I had a heart condition a few years ago, but I hope I’ll get the all clear later this year and get back to flying again…

[@andycampbell5491]

I’m a fan of BB ever since discovering it as an alternative to white Waltham and its lousy grass runways. I always arrive IFR from the north from EGSC. Although it’s Class G, it has its own complications if it’s IMC, you want to hold on to Farnborough’s traffic’s service as long as you can if the clag is low which can leave you late changing across to BB. A super little airport well worth a visit. WARNING - Just one observation, on my last visit I was parked against the fence; adjacent to the tower and behind where you were parked. There are tie down points here - the ropes were loose and the potential to get them caught in the prop was a real danger. I parked and retied them all, but clearly, not everyone leaves them in a safe state. Could have been a very expensive visit.

[@cameronpaterson4708]

Another really useful video Jon, particularly as I’m in the midst of the nav/cross country phase of training. Reminds me clearly to a/ plan ahead and b/ give yourself time

[@TheFlyingReporter]

I know time = fuel = money, but giving yourself some breathing space can often avoid a botched approach - then go-around = probably more time/fuel/money!

[@SJF15]

They used to hold markets there once.

[@janlievaart]

Great video! Your piloting has become much more professional. Good briefings.

[@seanmcerlean]

Thanks Jon.😊

[@theflyingadventures]

Very interesting history, thanks for sharing. I found Blackbushe as friendly and accommodating GA airfield when visiting in November.

[@TheFlyingReporter]

Yes. It's a great place, in spite of all those procedures/rules!

[@robertmailer4978]

Join for the east I use the intercity route , basically follow the east -west rail way line through farnbought north air space

[@ranh71]

Another great video perfectly executed Jon. Nice landing too, leaving that bit of power on really makes a difference in the arrow. Will have to visit Blackbush when I'm a bit braver!!

[@TheFlyingReporter]

It's not so bad when you do a really good brief...make some quick reference notes. You'll be fine.

[@ranh71]

Agreed preparation is the key @@TheFlyingReporter

[@janlievaart]

Can see you becoming more and more a pro pilot. Great instructional video.

[@TheFlyingReporter]

From you Jan, that is a very kind complement.

[@kevchilton908]

Another polished review, Jon, and very useful info re the airspace to consider when visiting Blackbushe👌🏻👍🏻

[@TheFlyingReporter]

Thanks Kevin.

[@sethjames7511]

Really, really great Video… Thankyou as always!!

[@TheFlyingReporter]

Thank YOU for watching.

[@rutchiemctavish]

What a fantastic landing. Straight as a dice!

[@user-rl5nd3ys8p]

We Taxied a 210 over the model aeroplane strip at Mt Beauty in Australia. Got an earful.

[@robd2184]

Nice vid . Used to fly there 30 years ago ….nothing changes with paperwork , I now get 20 pages of notams for places like JFK. It’s not fit for purpose as human nature says you may miss the one important thing !

[@gordonbruce2416]

Great episode Jon, crystal clear explanations.

[@TheFlyingReporter]

Thanks for watching Gordon.

[@mastersofdisneyadventures9364]

I Really enjoyed this video. As a student at Blackbushe, I found it extremely interesting.

[@TheFlyingReporter]

Thanks for watching.

[@leehewitt9559]

Fascinating Jon. 👌

[@TheFlyingReporter]

Thanks Lee

[@w9awx1]

Sounds like flying VFR into the EAA Airventure in Oshkosh, WI USA during the EAA fly-in, during which the airport is the busiest airport in the world.

[@TheFlyingReporter]

Haha. Not quite a crazy as that I think!!

[@el_quba]

When I read the video's title I thought "is John flying to Oshkosh" but then realized he's just in the UK 😅

[@tez4274]

Nice landing, John.

[@william_ochieng]

Wow, this channel is awesome, feels like I am watching a BBC show. Everything is well produced. I've definitely subscribed ❤. Thanks for the quality content sir.

[@TheFlyingReporter]

Welcome aboard!

[@william_ochieng]

@@TheFlyingReporter Thank you.

[@Medge2sc]

29 pages!!! More than the pa28 POH

[@SyriusStarMultimedia]

Nice flight and video.

[@TheFlyingReporter]

Thank you for watching.

[@Trevor_Austin]

I’d forgotten how complicated VFR flying is. It sort of takes away the fun.

[@mkosmo]

At least on that continent.

[@TheFlyingReporter]

Good to have a challenge.

[@Tom-ih8gr]

Great video Jon, would you mind just a little flurry of an overview on how you deice etc? I just assumed for an SEP it’d be a credit card and scrape job, amazed you actually got the fluid out. Is that normal?

[@TheFlyingReporter]

If you want to de ice quickly then use the fluid. If you want to spend all day, try and scrape it off or wait for the winter sun to burn it off, but i would have thought that using a credit card would scratch the paintwork etc.

[@Robinbamv]

The credit card scrape is not good for the paint because dirt in the wing and in the ice will abrade the paintwork. Type 1 de-icing fluid is the way to go.

[@hazjp3104]

With Redhill having a tower do you not need to request start up there?

[@TheFlyingReporter]

No. Not at redhill.

[@iainmillar1532]

Enjoyed the vid. Could you give any info or a video about how to avoid gliders at lasham when coming around that way? I'd be worried transiting anywhere near Lasham on a good gliding day, could use some details.

[@TheFlyingReporter]

I just avoid going near Lasham, as they're generally very busy a lot of the time. That's worked well for me and I haven't encountered gliders too far away from Lasham in that area - that's not to say that you wouldn't.

[@jordanbridge8612]

Lasham isn't an issue if you avoid the overhead (Frequent cables to altitude 3600ft) and give it some space like you would any airfield, ATZ or not. I'd suggest it's risky trying to route to the east of Lasham right by Farnborough and Odiham... Treat it always as active 7 days a week and mind out that occasionally IFR jets operate in and out. Farnborough always provide good services near there and Lasham will always aim to help on 131.030 if you call. Also keep a good lookout. All the Gliders are carrying Flarm and if you have good EC which has flarm subscription you will be able to pick them up. The busiest intensity of gliders will be close to Lasham upwind of the airfield but in the summer when it's at its busiest many will disperse to fly cross country out to the N/W and S. You won't regularly find gliding activity east of Alton or Hook given the airspace. It's a busy piece of sky but all the airfields and local pilots work together to make it as safe as possible.

[@The_Flying_Pig]

I like the route you took. I would have done the same thing. Slow it down and keep ahead of the aeroplane.

[@TheFlyingReporter]

Yeh, I do like to slow things down sometimes.

[@The_Flying_Pig]

@@TheFlyingReporter I've no choice! Lol

[@cJ-cr8gp]

Cleared to cross Farnborough zone at the end yet not cleared to cross, only cleared to J4 on the M3...that’s ambiguous!

[@TheFlyingReporter]

Yeh - I find that terminology a bit weird. Cleared to enter feel's more accurate. But I guess that's the standard phraseology.

[@TonyThurlow-Craig]

do you have an auto pilot?

[@jonmorby]

for the read back ... just remember CRAFT .... Clearance Limit Route Altitude Frequency Transponder Code Standard for anyone with an IFR ... useful to know if you don't have an IFR (yet) as all clearances will be read back in that order

[@Robinbamv]

According to a historic England publication about wartime airfields the FIDO system talked about in this video had a typical fuel consumption of 90,000 gallons an hour !

[@TheFlyingReporter]

You can see why it wasn't worth it!

[@Robinbamv]

@@TheFlyingReporter At the time it was worth in because it was not unknown to be trying to recover 700+ bombers returning from raids over Germany when most of the east of England was covered in un forecast fog. Clearly something better was needed and both ILS & DME have their roots in the navigation systems developed for the bomber offensive.

[@frostyfrost4094]

My father was at Sandhurst during the war at this time the aerodrome covered both sides of the A30.Fog had closed East Anglia to the returning USAF from Europe,try to imagine the whole aerodrome was covered by B17 Flying fortresses the only space was the FIDO runway.next morning he was up early to see them departing but they had all gone quietly noise abatement must of been in force then because he did not hear any nose.

[@RV7FlyPer]

Great video, but also a testament to the completely unnecessary complicated UK airspace. 4 different squawks in a 20 min flight is just crazy.

[@TheFlyingReporter]

I think someone needs to look at squawks in the UK. I think the only reason we use so many squawks like that is to make air traffic management easier for controllers. They know from our code, which unit we're talking to. What permissions we have... What flight rules we're flying under. Whether we're infringing airspace or not. The number of changes we have is silly, I know...and increases RT and our workload. In most circumstances it isn't too bad, but it would be nice to have a better way.

[@MarkNewtonFlies]

It’s difficult to comprehend how much of Blackbushe’s complexity is caused by the UK’s non-integrated and borderline dysfunctional ATC system. In any other mordern country, Farnborough would coordinate with Blackbushe Tower and hand you off during your zone transit, and after that it’d be the same as an approach to any other towered airport. But because every UK ATC unit is an island, and none of them talk to each other, the controllers at Blackbushe don’t know you’re coming even though you’ve already been talking to the controllers at Farnborough, so you have to overshoot by miles and sort out your entry to Blackbushe from the north while you’re trying to work around noise abatement restrictions. Any GA pilot in the UK should spend at least a couple of weeks flying around in another country with an integrated ATC system just so you can all see how much easier it is. It’s hard to lobby through AOPA for change and improvement when everyone thinks the UK is *normal* and can’t see how much better it could be. On a happier note: My experiences of GA in the UK completely concur with your comment about how one thing the UK does very well is airport cafes. Absolutely superb. Look after them well, they won’t come back if you lose them.

[@TheFlyingReporter]

We don't need to fly around another country to know how nuts it can be here. It's worse in South East England and in other parts of the country, it get's better. I do think that Brits underestimate how lucky they are with airfield eateries though.

[@LuxPete1]

If you want to pay a fee to use radar services I’m sure extra staff could be employed to do handovers. As things stand at most civilian airports in the UK that handle substantial numbers of commercial flights, ATC services are periodically subject to competitive tender. Inevitably this means the minimum number of staff to provide a service to aircraft using that airport. Any other services are subject to workload.

[@MarkNewtonFlies]

​@@LuxPete1 I get radar services in my country by calling up ATC and asking for Flight Following, and it's completely free. Our air traffic system is mostly funded by fees on flights operating under IFR flight plans, because they're the only airspace users who need it. The fees are based on MTOW and distance, so the airlines pay almost all of them, and IFR GA pays ~$3 per flight, depending on how far they fly. VFR GA aircraft operators typically don't pay anything for it at all, but still get service because the law says they must. Under that system: When operating VFR I can get a squawk code on the ground in Sydney, take off, climb into controlled airspace with a clearance, fly 600km to somewhere like Griffith, descend, join the circuit and land in class G; and have an ADS-B based traffic service the entire time, with the same squawk code no matter how many sectors I traverse, for free. If I do the same flight IFR, I'll spend most of it with full SAR monitoring and a control service in class E and it'll cost me about $2.75, which I only need to pay if my accumulated bills over a 12 month period exceed $500. The UK is obviously not working on the same model. Maybe that's a job for AOPA. In my experience: The UK could benefit massively from a hard-nosed review of what services are actually required, before trying to figure out how to hire extra staff to provide them. The UK is over-serviced IMHO. Tiny grass airstrips with less than a couple of hundred movements per day with paid, trained, staffed air-ground services. Completely unnecessary, its only real effect is to drive up costs. You have a small country with a small number of highly-trafficked airports. You could get by with dramatically simpler airspace structure and a small fraction of the air traffic control services you currently have. I want to give you an alternative example to ponder: Look up YMIA, Mildura, in Australia. It's a moderate/large regional airport with two concrete runways, airlines operating Boeing 737 and A320 jets, several flying schools, a contingent of recreational light aircraft, an aero club, and a winch-launch glider field 1.5km to the south. Comparable to Blackbushe, but maybe larger and with bigger jets. It's a CTAF in class G airspace. The Cessnas, Foxbats, gliders and Boeings talk to each other to figure out separation. There is no air traffic control whatsoever. There's no reason why that couldn't be the norm in the UK; And use some of the resources freed up to provide radar services to GA instead. It's only a question of will. Jon did a really good video last week about differences between GA in the UK and norms virtually everywhere else. There's no reason for those differences: The UK isn't special, it has the same air as every other ICAO state. My country used to be weird and different too, then we shut down all the air-ground services in the 1990s, and in 2007 we had a big reform of the airspace system and suddenly became ICAO-aligned. There's no reason your country can't do the same thing. Indeed: I'd suggest that your country *will* do the same thing, it's merely a question of how long it'll take.

[@MikeRetsoc]

Dont tap the brakes before retraction.

[@TheFlyingReporter]

Hello. Why not?

[@MikeRetsoc]

@@TheFlyingReporter An underpressure tire/tube can slip and shear the stem. Where POH recommends tapping the brakes, best to do so lightly I guess.

[@David-if2jz]

In the US you usually have to fly for an hour to find an hour to find a cafe, hence the $100 hamburger.

[@missedapproachmark]

Pfff, still looks prohibitively complex to me…

[@fabianmihai1178]

🥇

[@markor2476]

Man the way that airspace forces you Brits to fly low and all the forests and urban areas around with almost no options is pretty shity in case of any kind of problem, I have to say.

[@TheFlyingReporter]

Yep - it's pretty nuts around South East England.