David Lock

We live pretty close to the South Downs gliding club in Sussex. They use a beaten up old tow plane to pull the gliders up to a couple of thousand feet and then cut the ribbon. I don't mind it a lot but thought we might be in for a bit of peace and quiet for a few days with a stop on the tow plane.

But they just carried on as usual I had assumed that they would need permission to take off? Seems odd that they ban air ambulances but allow this? Any thoughts?

dl

Trout

iTrader: (1)

Yes they fly too low to be troubled.

David Lock

So do air ambulances? They are always picking up bent bikers tearing down the A24 out of London. dl

Simon C

Difference between private and civil? All the luton traffic has gone, but the local private air strip has been operating normally.

ScoTTyB

From bbc:

Private aircraft owners are being advised by the Civil Aviation Authority to take extra care because of the ash, but no legal restrictions are in force.

JackClark

No restrictions for Gliders, if I wasn't stuck out here I'd be trying to get permission to fly over London.

Midlife......

iTrader: (2)

Our air ambulances are grounded because of problems with insurance I've seen a couple of yellow navy choppers heading for hospital so I guess they are providing cover.

Plenty of light stuff flying from crosby airport as well.

Strangely, all low flying Harriers, Tuccano and hawk seem to have gone from the air around our house (North cumbria)...


Shaun

dsmith

The ash isn't at low level - so no reason gliders cant be towed up to a couple of thousand feet. Think the navy/air force said search & rescue up to 3000ft was ok but all non-emergency flights cancelled. Certainly the Apaches near me seem to have taken a break.

pslewis

Military flights are grounded in the main.

My daughter flies gliders out of an AirBase - they got permission to fly under a certain level - 6,000 Feet I think it was.

ditchmyster

iTrader: (7)

Tow plane is usually some beat up single prop probably powered by an old vw beetle engine and would'nt usually go much higher than about 4000ft
I think the temps required for cristilisation are usually only in jet engines,unless is a vw camper on the m50

David Lock

That's a good description

In fact it sounds like a diesel with the exhaust fallen off sometimes

dl

Leslie

Piston engined aircraft with air filters and turbine powered helicopters with particle ejectors should be perfectly safe to operate.

les