Taxiing Restrictions

Outside B1 Hangar Attention is drawn to the following extract from the Fairoaks AIP (EGTF AD 2.20, 2b): "The apron in front of the B1 hangar is not available for taxiing aircraft due to surface condition." Due to the loose stones outside the main hangars at Fairoaks, no aircraft should taxi or have the engine running behind the white line. This area is depicted on the image below with the shaded red area. In practice, this means that when starting aircraft parked outside the hangar, they must be pushed forward in front of the white line and started from that position. When parking, aircraft should be shut down in front of the white line and then pushed backwards onto the applicable parking spot. Always ensure there are two people available when manoeuvring aircraft in this way. If assistance is needed, please seek either the ground crew, an instructor or member of staff. Taxiway Charlie Similarly, taxiway Charlie is NOT to be used owing to unsuitable surface conditions. This restriction, whist not set by the airport as in the case above, is a club rule which has been made in order to sensibly mitigate the risk of any propellor damage. As a result, the tower may at times request you taxi via TWY Charlie. If requested to do so, the appropriate response should be "Unable to accept taxiway Charlie due to surface condition, G-CD." They will then be able to offer an alternative routing as required.  ...
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Chocking Aircraft

There have been several recent observations from the ground crew at Fairoaks, highlighting chocks are sometimes incorrectly positioned thus rendering them ineffective. As a result, the following information is provided to all pilots to draw attention to the correct method of chocking aircraft. When chocking the aircraft, please consider the slope of the ground on which it is parked. The chock should be positioned in order to counteract the natural tendency for the aircraft to roll. This gives rise to the following general recommendations: Aircraft Parked Uphill: Position the chock behind the nosewheel in order to prevent the aircraft from rolling backwards. Aircraft Parked Downhill: Position the chock in front of the nosewheel to prevent the aircraft rolling forward. Aircraft Parked Level: When parked level, the aircraft can roll either forward or backwards. As a result, two chocks should be used with one positioned in front and one behind the nosewheel....
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Plymouth Radar

As part of an air safety initiative and in order to promote awareness of the South Coast Danger Areas, Plymouth Military Radar have produced an information leaflet briefly outlining their role and services provided. Lt Cdr Andy Anderson (Senior Air Traffic Controller) writes, "As I am sure you are aware the airspace the butts our southern shores is a very busy environment containing a multitude of aviation and hazardous activity. The leaflet goes someway in explaining what we can do to help you, should you be flying adjacent to, or within this airspace."  Download Plymouth Military Radar...
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Farnborough ATC Visit

Thursday 30 January 2014 - 0930 AM As part of the ongoing liaison between Farnborough Air Traffic Control and the general aviation community, a further visit date has been released for later this month. The visit will last approximately 2:30 Hrs and will consist of a visit to the tower and radar room at Farnborough, a brief presentation by one of the controllers, followed by an open Q&A session. If you are interested in attending one of the visits, please let us know as soon as possible as places will be allocated on a first come first served basis. Both licensed pilots and current students are welcome to attend and feedback from the previous visits has showed this to be very a worthwhile...
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Burns Night – 25 Jan 2014

In addition to the regular bar opening every Wednesday and Friday evening, all members are invited to celebrate Burns Night with us at the Fairoaks Airport Bar BISTRO (F A B!) on Saturday 25 January. Be sure to book early to avoid disappointment. The three course meal will be followed by fun, music and of course some highland dancing! To book tickets, please call the flight centre on 01276 858 075. Tickets: £15 Bar Opens: 1700 Dinner: 2000 Hrs Bar Closes: 0200 Hrs Dress Code: Scottish if you can! ------------------------------------------------------ Three Course Meal: Non-Haggis Option Available on Request Cock-a-leekie soup Haggis Tatties & Neeps...
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