---
title: RESTRICTED AIRSPACE :: Real Pilot POV Near Heathrow - Whiskey Alpha Pilot
description: Flying a C172 near Heathrow is exactly as terrifying as it sounds. Real time POV of a Heathrow transit after the fire closed the airport.
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language: en-GB
date: 2026-05-30T13:30:41Z
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Flying near a major international airport like Heathrow in a little Cessna C172 is one of those things that sounds more terrifying than it is. And also exactly as terrifying as it sounds. Both things are true at the same time.

This video actually came out in the wake of the [Heathrow substation fire](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hayes_substation_fire) and the airspace chaos that followed. A lot of people were suddenly very interested in how controlled airspace works around the world's busiest airports and what happens when a small GA aircraft gets anywhere near it.

Flying the transit is a structured process. You request it, If they like you get a squawk, you then follow the routing, and you don't mess about. You need to ensure your are precise and accurate. What the video gives you is the POV of doing that in real time. The radio calls, the situational awareness, the constant checking of where you are relative to where you're allowed to be.

Worth noting: always check NOTAMs and current airspace status before any Heathrow transit. Things change. Sometimes dramatically and at short notice as the fire rather proved. Don't be scared, it is fun, snd they are real people.

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