This month's exercise will be good training, fun and satisfying. Navigation and Low Flying in difficult terrain.

If you become involved with Military flying, this is something you will become a master of. However as a GA pilot, especially in places like Scotland, you could be caught out by the weather at any time.

When I did a club flight real world up to Scotland, we arrived at EGPN, to go on, to overnight at EGPE. As we landed to re-fuel, the Stratus clouds rolled in, at A2500. We were advised "If you have to climb through it, do NOT come down until you are sure you are over the sea, East or West!"

You have 4 legs to complete.

Any time during July.

The challenge is to plan your route and fly as low as you can, Maximum 1,000 feet AGL. The lowest routes, follow rivers and valleys, next best is roads, then railways.

On the forum you will find PlanG and LittleNavmap files for the 4 Legs, each about 1 hour in the C172.

You may use any aircraft (including helicopters) classified as GA (within the EASA "light" category), see club rules for details. Bear in mind you will be valley flying with some very tight changes in altitude and direction. Too slow, too easy (boring?); Too fast and you will limit your time available to look and think.

Before starting, check the weather. In accordance with VATSIM rules the wind direction should be the same as real-world. This event is strictly VFR, so all other aspects of the weather should be adjusted to avoid the disappointment of being rained or fogged in.

This event should be fun for all, both pilots and controllers. If your enjoyment is impaired by "un-sportsmanlike" ATC, let someone know so senior club members can pass on your concerns.

If you get something wrong, such as entering controlled airspace without authority, learn from the experience and follow instructions - even if requested to 'disconnect'.
Don't forget it is better to ask a club member or ATC when unsure rather than flying on causing confusion and mayhem!

You may have ATC inbound / outbound at some A/Fs. En-Route, add to your flight plan remarks, "Valley flying, low level NAVEX (or Navigation Exercise), OCAS". You can also add "No service required, monitoring." - " then keep the appropriate ATC frequency open.

Take care not to let our TeamSpeak Chat cut across ATC. Stop any conversation immediately the R/T comes alive, and then continue if "he wasn't talking to us". This is difficult because when talking on TeamSpeak you cannot hear the R/T. So be aware that ATC might be trying to contact a member. If anyone hears R/T which appears to be ignored and it is a club member being called, on TS, say "ATC is calling XXXX/one of us". Then everyone stop talking until ATC calls again and makes contact. Remember that if ATC tells you "standby" It means "Wait, don't call me, I will come back to you as soon as I can." - Busy with a more urgent problem. LISTEN out for non-club traffic.

Half a star for departing EGEO Oban and half a star for arriving in EGPN Dundee during July 2026.

Chart showing 'all routes'

Event Idea: Neville Munro
Event planning: Neville Munro
Briefing: Neville Munro / Colin Parker