Can a VFR Flight Plan be Filed Online? 

 

 

Yes.

 

The National Air Traffic Service (NATS) website will allow pilots to file a VFR flight plan online.  In order to control the service it is necessary to apply for a login, in doing so the NATS will check the pilots credentials and then issue a login.  All logins will be reviewed at regular intervals to ensure the system does not become overloaded with non-users, but no account will be cancelled without first contacting the registered user via the regisetered email.

 

Clued Up (the CAA safety magazine) provided a detailed description on how to use the site.  This can be downloaded here (How to use the NATS VFR Flightplan online system).

 

In order to get started go to www.flightplanningonline.co.uk and register by going to "Applying for an AFPEx Account" and then "Individual Application Form".

 

Oil Replenishment. How much oil should be put in the Warrior aircraft when refilling?

 

The minimum oil allowed in the Warrior engine is 4 US quarts. 

 

Any more than 6 US quarts tends to get "blown overboard" by the engine and so filling above 6 US quarts is a waste of oil. 

 

The club policy is to operate the Warriors' oil levels between 5 and 6 quarts.

 

The oil is provided by Freedom Aviation in 1 US Quart bottles.

 

This means that the oil should only be replenished when the oil level gets down to 5 US quarts or below, and when this occurs a whole bottle should be added to the engine.  This will raise the level to 6 US quarts again (or in the case that the oil were below 5, it will still satisfy the requirement to be between 5 and 6 US quarts).

 

Please don't put empty uncrushed bottles back into the cabinet as it leads us to believe there is more oil available than there actually is.  Please always crush the empty bottles before placing them in the required receptacle.

 

 

 

How much ice is acceptable on the aircraft on departure? 

None!  The question then is "How do I get all the ice off the aircraft?".  This is quite simple, and can be done in one of two ways:

 

1.  If it is a sunny day then move the aircraft into the direct sunlight and wait.  This works better on G-WFFW as it is a darker colour.

 

2.  Use a de-icing fluid.  Lyneham Flying Club provides Kilfrost RDF (rapid defrosting fluid).  The applicator is a garden spray pump system (stored in the POL locker with "Aircraft deicer" written on it).  If this runs out there is a plastic container with a Kilfrost RDF label on it, use this to replenish the spray system.  Spray this on the surfaces which have ice on them and wait about 10 minutes, then re-check to ensure there is no ice, if there is then re-treat with Kilfrost.