VFR flight is just as challenging as IFR flight, but the challenge is in navigation not in aircraft systems, which are clearly far more of a challenge in complex passenger aircraft. Within the umbrella of VFR flight, among the most challenging flights are into and out of "farm strips". Farm strips (which are not always farms, but can be fragments of disused airfields, beaches and other flat(ish) areas) represent a much greater challenge to fly precisely because map reading, observation and timing is much more important. Unfortunately, a feature of FS makes the Gary Summons UK2000 airfields highly visible from a distance, and they can usually be spotted from 10 miles away or more. Accurate map reading isn't then so crucial, once you've got yourself to the general area.

Landing and taking off from farm strips requires the choice of an aircraft that can handle the available runway length, which is almost invariably not a lot! Getting in involves flying finals using the Pilot Operating Handbook Short Field Landing technique accurately to the published numbers. If you arrive too fast then you either have to go around, perfectly acceptable, or go through the far hedge, which isn't! In real life there is a continuing migration to farms, as airfield costs rise and, in increasing numbers, airfields try to squeeze out GA.

The total number of available farm strips modelled by Gerry Winskill is 93, plus a further 10 in Essex by our member Pete Chapman. So the Club has decided to run an "Event" which could take members the best part of a year to complete - to fly into every one!

The idea for this event came from Gerry Winskill, member of the JHB Airlines group. JHB are running the event in parallel with our club, so you may be lucky and meet one of their members on a strip one evening.

If you wish to take part, then all you need to do is register in the club Forum Events Section, "Stripping For Summer" topic, and off you go,

1. Gerry's strips may be flown in FS9 or FSX, but beware, they are separate downloads (See Scenery link at top of page).
2. Pete's Essex Airstrips can be flown in FS9 or FSX. We will try not to mix them, so that you can choose which sim to use before each trip.
3. The strip information, runways available, surface, obstacles and latitutude and logitude of each strip will be published for those who don't have Lockyears Farm Strips guide.
4. The airfields to be visited will be published fortnightly on a Friday on the Web Site (not the forum) with a two week time limit for completion.
5. Each assigned "route" will include 3 farm strips spaced to provide around 2 hours flying per assignment. Some are only 10 miles apart, so you can't take off and then decide where to look for the next one, because you'll have passed it!
6. Discussion of the event must please be via the "Stripping for Summer" topic in the Members Bar area of the Forum, so as not to clog up the Events topic.
7. Flying together, with the second pilot simply playing "follow my leader" is not prohibited, but it is unsporting, and not encouraged. If you want to fly with another member, why not arrange to meet up at the middle field of the three, but taking different routes;
   i.e. Departure - 1 - 2 - 3 and Departure - 3 - 2 - 1
8. Communication on the club Teamspeak Server is allowed, including comparing notes.

1. You must register as a participant in the "Stripping For Summer" topic in the Events section of the Forum.
2. You must log a landing and a take off at each farm strip. To do this, you must start each assignment either from a licensed airfield of your choice, or from the farm strip you last landed at.
3. Apart from your optional departure licensed airfield's ATZ, you must keep clear of all controlled airspace.
4. Fly the assigned routes on line with Vatsim in case other pilots want to join you.
5. Use any ATC cover available (e.g. a Flight Information Service from the likes of Thames, Birmingham etc., or London Information).
6. Include "Cix VFR Club" in your flight plan comments.
7. File a PIREP via the Forum including "Stripping For Summer Event" in the comments box.