ATC Nuances, Deicing Decisions, and One Very Unusual Arrival
One of the unexpected gifts of our eastbound Atlantic crossing was time. We built in extra days for weather and mechanical issues, but when everything went smoothly, it opened the door to something even better: exploring Europe from the cockpit.
In this leg of the journey, we left Scotland behind and began hopping across the UK and mainland Europe, discovering firsthand how different flying can be once you leave the familiar US system. From climbing through the clouds with deice running, to navigating airspace that shifts between controlled and uncontrolled even on an IFR flight plan, every leg brought a new lesson.
One of the highlights was our stop at East Midlands in the UK. What looked straightforward on paper turned into a fascinating exercise in chart interpretation, service levels outside controlled airspace, and a very interesting approach setup that required real-time problem solving. Later, flying into a non-towered airport in the Netherlands raised the stakes even more when we discovered that published VFR arrival procedures and fixes were not in the avionics database at all.
This is the kind of flying that reminds you why preparation, adaptability, and situational awareness matter so much, especially when operating internationally. It is also where modern tools like Starlink and electronic charts quietly become essential crew members.
If you enjoy real cockpit decision-making, international IFR quirks, and seeing how experienced crews adapt when the plan changes, check out my latest YouTube video:
👉 Watch the full video on YouTube to experience this leg of the Atlantic crossing from the front seat.