NERC Flow control review : No increase.

[BEXIL160]

<a href="http://www.cfmu.eurocontrol.be/chmi_public/ciahome.jsp?serv1=aim&aim=00043395" target="_blank">http://www.cfmu.eurocontrol.be/chmi_public/ciahome.jsp?serv1=aim&aim=00043395</a>

According to the CFMU Web page, above, the 10 day review of the initial flow rates for LACC/NERC/SWANWICK sectors has resulted in the rates being kept at minus 30 % of Target Sector Flows. Which is a bit of a surprise There is no mention of why, only that they will be reviewed again on 14th Feb.

I don't know either, but perhaps someone can post something authoritive here.

I can surmise that the poor RT quality has had something to do with it, and SRG have finally exercised their teeth. (They were on the flow review panel).

Any news, rumours?

BEX

[Captain Windsock]

Poor RT is probably the prime failing of Nerc so far. A close second must be the telephones between Nerc and TC. Some work some don't, some start ok and then cut out and some fade in and out. I know this has been subject to 1261 action so SRG are aware of this problem as well. Whether there is a link to this and the flow rates I don't know but maybe somebody else does.

[Gonzo]

When we try and phone the NERC FMP there's an engaged tone. I kept ringing off, until an ATSA told me that it made that tone while it's actually ringing the other end, so it's not really engaged.....

Very confusing....

Gonzo.

[Chilli Monster]

Yes - one thing it would have been nice to have been informed about before NERC went live. The adoption of continental ringing tones hasn't been apparent to everyone <img src="rolleyes.gif" border="0">

CM

[Red Four]

Could be something to do with the naughty airlines 1)filing cruise levels below FL200 2) not using the usual routings.(Both probably as a result of longer than usual delays brought about by LACC introduction). Example quoted is tfc from EGKK routing to CPT to then leave CAS to the southwest, when usual routing is via SAM (thus increasing complexity and reducing capacity further). Routing of some flights from EGLC also singled out for mention.

[Slippers]

Re: the NERC telephones. I was trying to co-ordinate with a planner the other day, and the sound quality was terrible. I could hardly hear him, but I was picking up loads of background noise including other controllers talking to planes, which was making the whole process very difficult. The said planner then decided to ditch his headset and use a telephone handset instead and he came through loud and clear with no interference at all. So maybe the telephone lines are fine, it's just your headsets that are sh*t.

[ 06 February 2002: Message edited by: Slippers ]</p>

[Metty]

Slippers

If it happens again, suggest to the Planner that he flicks the little silver toggle switch down by his headset socket.

It was probably a grey-haired ex-Crew Chief you were dealing with who still had the toggle selected to the handset rather than headset. The ex-Crew Chiefs bring plenty of great qualities such as guidance and leadership to the sector team but possibly not so good at complex operations such as flicking switches <img src="wink.gif" border="0">

[oldfart]

Bear in mind that if it wasn,t for the "grey haired old crew chiefs", overall flow rates would be a bloody sight lower than they already are, because there would not be enough staff!. .NERC is proving to be a very labour intensive system, and labour is the one thing we are short of.

[ALVIN BUNCE]

Steady on Oldfart - Metty was only joking. After all he's an ex-Crew Chief himself and he has quite a few grey flecks in his own hair I notice! :) . .AB

[terrain safe]

Isn't that dark flecks in his grey hair? :) :)

[Metty]

Before we get told off for getting totally off topic - from NERC flow rates to ex-CSC's use of Grecian 2000 - may I point out that I assumed that Slippers was referring to yours truly.

Not only did I have the handset selected rather than the headset, 20 mins earlier TC had called the Sup to tell me to deselect the phone. I'd left the line open and they were taking it in turns to listen to me exercising a new opportunity as a Planner to increase team (well, my part of the team) morale by asking the Tactical which pilots voices they found most romantic etc etc.

Apologies to grey haired ex-CSCs whose blood pressure reached danger levels....just a joke!

[terrain safe]

Who mentioned Aeroflot? :) :) :) :) :) :) :)