Going to London / Luton - Need advice

[PMVULB AvMgr]

Now they changed the destination to Stansted EGSS!! Then Geneva later in the week. Any advice???

Stansted is a good airport. Universal is the best handler there, and since you are using them for your FPL's anyways that's the best way to go. If you're only there for a limited time, the SAS Radisson at the airport is a very nice choice for a Hotel. If you stay longer, you probably want to go into London. Have fun.

In Geneva all the handlers are pretty good, be it Jet Aviation, Transair or TAG. Be sure to visit a typical Swiss restaurant - pretty good regional food. Hotels tend to be on the expensive side - I personally like the Intercontinental - great breakfast as well as dinner buffets.

 

[Kiwi]

No "all night" ground school in TEB?

Electricals gotta be a blast for you when your body thinks it is mid-night!

- I know what you mean - by that time I should be on UTC +5:30 so it won't be so bad.

 

[Bumz_Rush]

Luton is OK, can be busy, and how has a SLOT system. Alt is Stanstead, (H24). Parking will be into a tight slot. and repositioned by tug. Pre notify handling with ALL pax and crew. Consider getting handling to set up a EU VAT form, saves problems in future. Harpenden House Hotel, is good, with trains to London very close by. Remember altitude constraints on departures. Remember 6000ft TA, and Hp below. SLP, are all in your FMS, so no problem. 250 below 10, is not always inforced. I am a contract G550 driver based in EGGW, so feel free to communicate, or even give me work....bumz

 

[Bumz_Rush]

Stansted has a better selection of hotels close by, and less air traffic. Cambridge has good hotels, in city, and good night life. Good English Beer.
I will also be in GVA next week, COLD, ICE, SNOW etc. Better

 

[Bumz_Rush]

Stansted has a better selection of hotels close by, and less air traffic. Cambridge has good hotels, in city, and good night life. Good English Beer.
I will also be in GVA next week, COLD, ICE, SNOW etc. Better bring

 

[Bumz_Rush]

Eggs Lsgg

Stansted has a better selection of hotels close by, and less air traffic. Cambridge has good hotels, in city, and good night life. Good English Beer.
I will also be in GVA next week, COLD, ICE, SNOW etc. Better bring warm kit, and the cold weather operations procedures manual. Expect a late call for finals, with anti ice on.....big drop, so be ready and slow early, expect the short cut.
Handling excellent. Hotels in town excellent, but for one night try Movenpic at airport. Big supermarket close by, and several small restaurants.

I hope to be there 28th / 30th. perhaps a post DAVOS party....?

Bumz

 

[sg737]

Last time I flew into Luton was several years ago, bu we stayed in a little town called Herpendon I think.... Cool little place GREAT couple of bars/clubs.... Great Italian food one night, then awesome chinese the next.... All the things that make for a good trip!

 

[Diesel]

We've been staying at the Sopwell House (St Albans) when we fly into EGGW. Nice place but REAL quite. We'll be in Luton next Sunday if anyone wants to hoist a few pints over bangers and mash.
SCT

Sopwell house.... not a thing to do.. Although St Albans is a great town about 5 minutes from Harpenden.

Harpendend House GREAT LOCATION horrible hotel. I was in there in september and had the heaters cranked up and couldn't get enough warmth in the room. Sneezed and someone in 4 rooms down said, "bless you".
Damn great location though. Taj Majal 2 is very good plus the slug and lettuce is great for breakfast.

 

[WhyFlare]

Thanks everyone for your advice. Lets talk about these SLPs some more. There is almost no info about them. I am looking at the STARs to Stanstead right now. They are grey shaded squares. Only one on each transition. There is no speed limit label next to them, only SLP. Whats the deal with them. What is the speed they want you to slow too? Is there a speed limit below 10K, 250kts?

I also see they have the low Transtion altitude (only 6000'). I have to say I hate this! I think it is very dangerous. Its is too low and too busy to transition altimeters. I once landed in Buenos Aires with my altimeter on standard, 150 below sea level!! Lucky for me it was VFR. The controllers couldnt speak english and it was very busy. Add a green co-pilot too.

This is why I am on here looking for advice. I know there a traps out there and we all make mistakes.

 

[G100driver]

SLP are pretty straight forward. At that speed at point.

250 below 10,000 unless otherwise instructed. And, yes, you can receive >250 below 10,000.

TA's, no big deal. Set 1013 climbing through published or stated altitude. ATC will give you current QNH when decending through Trans Level. Set it then and complete your trans checklist.

We all make mistakes, yes. But the best advice I can give is pay attention, read back all clearance and ask for clarification for anything that you are not sure of. The good part is the Brits speak pretty good English.

Most of all, have a good time. This is why you became a pilot, right?