Anatomy of an Airspace Infringement

Plus, a flight to one of the most enigmatic landscapes in England, general aviation news and the weather forecast.

You can listen to this podcast episode below or find it on your favourite podcast app by searching for "The Pilot’s Logbook Podcast”.

In this episode, we have a chat with NATS Air Traffic Controller, Amanda Rhodes.

Hey there 👋

Welcome to our fourth episode of The Pilot’s Logbook - a podcast companion for private pilots in the UK and Europe!

In This Week’s Episode

Amanda Rhodes

In this week’s episode, we had a fascinating chat with NATS Air Traffic Controller, Amanda Rhodes. Amanda is an approach radar controller based at Swanwick, looking after the airspace around Luton Airport.

With nearly 25 years of experience, she's one of the best-known controllers in the UK and is nicknamed by many pilots as 'the happy controller.'

If you've ever wondered what really happens when someone infringes controlled airspace, today, Amanda's going to pull back the curtain and reveal the immediate, behind-the-scenes actions taken by ATC. We'll hear about the split-second decisions, the ripple effects, and even how it impacts the controllers themselves.

Ask the Air Traffic Controller

Also, we're thrilled to announce that Amanda has generously offered to answer your questions about ATC and controlled airspace in future episodes.

So, if you've got any burning questions, head over to the show notes on your podcast app. You'll find a link that says "Send a text" – just click on that and fire away! We'll be choosing some questions for Amanda to answer in upcoming shows.

Also in this episode:

• We catch up on the latest aviation news headlines that are relevant to you:

  • Nottingham Airport Told to Close on the 6th of June

  • New Helicopter Robinson R88

  • Electronic Travel Authorization for most people travelling to the UK starts on the 2nd of April 2025

• Dungeness - Some call it a paradise, others a desert. It's loved by many and a place that will leave you wondering, "How on earth did this place come to be?". In this episode, we fly back to Lydd to continue exploring one of the most enigmatic landscapes in the U.K. In this episode we talk about a PLUTO home and its secret past.

In this episode we share another excerpt of our most recent flight to Lydd and Dungeness.

Extras 🎉

If you are a paid subscriber, you can watch our RNP final approach to Lydd Airport and have a chance to win our exclusive Pilot’s sweatshirt! We also share details of our next Travel Plans Live.

If you want to join, it’s only £6 for the whole year. This month, we are donating 100% to the Save Nottingham Campaign as they need support with legal fees and printing costs.