Just wondering for all you UK flyers here - has any of you ever contacted the RAF Safety Centre (0800 515544) to notify them about your impending UAV flights in areas where low flying stuff has been known to operate ? If so, I have some questions about how I should be providing exactly the sort of information they need, and keeping to a minimum any they don't...
1. Do you call them a few days in advance of the planned flight, knowing full well all sorts of factors could lead you to cancel or postpone on the day... or should we call them on the day of the flight, or immediately before we leave for it, when of course they have the least possible opportunity to alter their plans (if that was ever applicable) ?
2. What sort of format are they expecting for the location data ? I suspect telling them 'I'm going flying up Stoner Hill in Rogate, Hampshire tomorrow' isn't going to be an accurate enough descriptor of where I will be flying ! Do I have to give them actual take-off coordinates, or is a general area enough, and if so what format should the coordinates be in, and how do I get that out of Google maps ?! Just wondering what is the correct etiquette for defining location and range in a professional way really...
My guess for that would be to give them this sort of format (for example):
3. Has anyone ever called them and been told their plans can be altered to account for us, or do they merely enter it into their national / localised conflict alert system ?
Thanks
1. Do you call them a few days in advance of the planned flight, knowing full well all sorts of factors could lead you to cancel or postpone on the day... or should we call them on the day of the flight, or immediately before we leave for it, when of course they have the least possible opportunity to alter their plans (if that was ever applicable) ?
2. What sort of format are they expecting for the location data ? I suspect telling them 'I'm going flying up Stoner Hill in Rogate, Hampshire tomorrow' isn't going to be an accurate enough descriptor of where I will be flying ! Do I have to give them actual take-off coordinates, or is a general area enough, and if so what format should the coordinates be in, and how do I get that out of Google maps ?! Just wondering what is the correct etiquette for defining location and range in a professional way really...
My guess for that would be to give them this sort of format (for example):
51°02'22.5"N 0°56'26.6"W
but how would I read that out over the phone in a way that made sense (don't wanna sound a complete idiot on phone to them) ?! Would that be '51 degrees 2 ft 22.5 inches North / 0 degrees, 56 ft, 26.6 inches West' ? And what sort of possible range data should I give them and in what format ?3. Has anyone ever called them and been told their plans can be altered to account for us, or do they merely enter it into their national / localised conflict alert system ?
Thanks
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