Big airfield landing fees.
These civilian operations seem to have such a warped sense of self-importance that the presence of a meer spamcan on the ILS would seem to be a severe embarrassment. Thus there is a mistaken tendency to price them out.
I understand the potential problem of slow aircraft on the approach if the airport happens to be busy. This can usually be alleviated by a quick phone call to find out when they're not.
My own opinion is that ATC complements at Cranfield, Luton, Bournmouth and the like are so reduced by economic factors that we are kept away to give the guys a rest or a sense-of-humour failure reboot. We are a nuisance even if we're teaching students exactly how not to be nuisance.
So,thank you, Royal Air Force (EGUB, EGVO, EGVN, EGDM, EGDL) for being willing to take IMC student training whenever you can. Your friendly,understanding welcome to some of the most exasperating novices is a lesson to some of the short-tempered so-and-so's we occasionally have to put up with on the "other" side. And we're always willing to return the favour with a practice PAR for your studes !
What sort of example is that to a young trainee who is doing his damnedest to get it right?
BTW, the BIGGEST thank you must go to FARNBOROUGH who are also very busy these days and yet can still find time to accommodate an approach with relaxed humour and attention, even if they're shattered. It never goes unnoticed, guys.
Sleeve Wing. (EGLK, EGLM, EGTB, EGBP et al.)