View Full Version : First Contact With Approach
Easy226
7th Jan 2002, 01:55
When i listen to birmingham approach on my radio, the pilot is apparently supposed to state the aircraft type, altitude and heading, etc. I noticed that some pilots do not report the aircraft type and occasionally not a heading. Why is this?? Does the controller know what type of aircraft and heading he is on??
One more question, when an aircraft gets transferred to another control area, does that controller know that the aircraft is going to report in soon?
HEATHROW DIRECTOR
7th Jan 2002, 12:50
What a pilot says and what he is supposed to say are two different things! At Heathrow we expect to hear the FL the aircraft is cleared to, the aircraft type and the arrival information they have received. A significant number fail to do this, resulting in repeated and unneccessary R/T calls. If a pilot has been placed on a heading by a previous sector he will usually be instructed to "contact xxx and report your heading".. If he doesn't then again an extra R/T call is required. We need to ask them their type of a/c because airlines are notorious for changing a/c type without changing the flight plan info which is held in a computer. We need to know the type for several reasons, not the least is in order to provide safe VORTEX separation.
Easy226
7th Jan 2002, 16:43
Thanks a lot for the information, so being the director do you sit in heathrows control tower??Im flying from Heathrow this month too!!
If I may jump in here, HD sits in a big bunker underneath West Drayton, never to see those glorious Spring sunrises again <img src="cool.gif" border="0"> .
The Approach function for LHR moved to West Drayton years ago.
Gonzo.
HEATHROW DIRECTOR
7th Jan 2002, 21:17
I hate Gonzo!!!!
spekesoftly
8th Jan 2002, 02:34
Ah, but will it be moving to the south coast in years to come ?
HD...50,000 hours in an underground bunker...wow!! <img src="eek.gif" border="0"> (only teasing)
[ 07 January 2002: Message edited by: spekesoftly ]</p>
Easy226
8th Jan 2002, 02:37
Well ill be on a flight to Luxembourg on the Thursday 24th (LG4O3) and returning Monday 28th (LG404)-so if youre working ill be thinking of what a great job u will be doing!
Easy226
8th Jan 2002, 02:39
So doesnt any of the approach controllers work in the control tower then?? Is it possible to visit control towers at airpots as well??
HEATHROW DIRECTOR
8th Jan 2002, 12:22
But I'm not moving to the seaside - not to work anyway!! Seriously counting the days now, and just one set of nights left to do...
DAN156. At many airfields the approach/radar controllers work in the tower building, or close to it. Some years ago CAA had the idea of moving the approach control units from Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted and Luton (but not Northolt, strangely) to West Drayton.... where we all sit with the TMA controllers in a large padded cell called "Terminal Control". And yes.. I DO miss the sunrises and the planes... but c'est la vie, or something.
As for visits,
I asked the nice folk politely and articulately at Exeter if I would be able to have a peek in the tower. The reply I got was along the lines of "No, we´re so big and important we don´t let people in without an invite".
I then wrote back asking for an invite which I think was a bit cheeky.
Whereas at Plymouth you have to go to the tower to pay the landing fee and can see it all happen!
Would it be possible to visit the approach bits at West Drayton sometime though? Or is it asking too much in these security concious times?
Would love to see it all happen.
Share the love, HD!!!!! :)
But then what are we tower controllers, if not glorified parking attendants, eh? <img src="wink.gif" border="0">
Gonzo.
[ 08 January 2002: Message edited by: Gonzo ]</p>
chiglet
8th Jan 2002, 23:58
Dan, et al,
I work at a "proper" airport, aka EGCC/MAN :)
If any bona fide pilot/aircrew want a look at the Tower or Radar/Approach, then phone the watch manager. If we have the time/spare staff,you WILL be accomodated.
Or email/pvt message me
we aim to please, it keeps the cleaners happy
Pointer
9th Jan 2002, 01:04
Guy's realy stop telling jokes.
If you get to the zoo do you ask tho enter the monkeys cage???? no, you just hand them some banana's if they behave otherwise you throw some stale peanuts (read; crewmeal) at them.
Ok hats off for you controler guy's and galls. I've been sort of house geust at EGLC for the last few years and gotten quite affectionated with those monkeys up in the tower. Only they seem to dislike banana's and instead only crave for choclate's ???? makes you wonder doesn't it???
Controltowers all over the world are pleased to receive pilots and other humans! That's my experience.
And all i tell them is have truths <img src="wink.gif" border="0"> anyway. Don't tell them to much.....it makes them say "say again" 's :) :)
Easy226
9th Jan 2002, 01:26
Wow thanks a lot Chiglet-ill e-mail you. Ive never been to Manchester + i live quite a long way away too!
Scottie Dog
9th Jan 2002, 03:57
Heathrow Director
I'm starting to get worried. I know that you have been doing the same job for many a year, but thinking of retiring, please no!
I have enjoyed so much of the input that you have provided to this site - long may it continue.
Hope I havn't embarressed you too much, or given reason for Gonzo, or others ar EGLL to feel put out.
Regards
Scottie Dog
No, that's okay, I know nobody loves me.... <img src="frown.gif" border="0">
I'm used to it by now.......!
Gonzo.