Proposed Withdrawal of Cranfield VOR (CFD)

[RJC]

This thread has popped up on the Flyer forum today, did a quick search but couldn't see it raised here. So I'm posting the text here and cross linking the two threads.

Thread on Flyer Forum (http://forums.flyer.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=82136)

Proposed Withdrawal of Cranfield VOR (CFD)
by NATS GA Lead

The current VOR installation located at Cranfield Airport (CFD) is approaching the end of its viable life. We have consulted with users of the facility at Cranfield Airport where there is currently a single published VOR approach to one runway and reviewed the wider use of the VOR in relation to en-route and terminal airspace structures which unusually does not make use of the facility. It is therefore financially unrealistic to expect airlines to pay for the replacement and ongoing operation of a VOR they do not use. It has been possible to extend the life of the current installation well into the 'GPS' age and Cranfield Airport have published GNSS approaches for both runway directions at Cranfield. Away from the airfield itself, the withdrawal of the VOR would of course mean the loss of Cranfield radial information to GA traffic, but Daventry VOR/DME is less than 20nm away and other navaids and radar services are available locally.

NATS is proposing to withdraw the VOR in September 2013 and we are therefore looking for feedback from the GA community as to any serious impact of the withdrawal of the VOR at Cranfield."
Jonathan Smith
NATS General Aviation Lead

D: 01489 612645
M: 07966 505088
E: [email protected]

Mailbox 22, Room 2103, Sopwith Way,
Swanwick, Hampshire SO31 7AY
NATS | A global leader in air traffic control and airport performance (http://www.nats.co.uk)

[thing]

Can't see it making an impact, the local area is awash with VOR's.

[jxk]

Will it reduce the landing fee at Cranfield perhaps?

[Whopity]

Approximately 50% of the UKs VORs are scheduled to be removed in line with the CAAs Future Airspace Strategy (http://www.caa.co.uk/default.aspx?catid=2408&pagetype=90) which is planned to totally transform air traffic management from 2020 onwards.

What appears to be totally absent from this proposal is any form of training review to realign IR training to cope with Space Based Aids instead of the traditional Needle Based Aids. EASA have just set in concrete (EU Law) a system based upon 1950s technology which the CAA are hell bent on enforcing in the most obtuse manner they can dream up. When asked the question how do you train when the aids are being removed, the answer was "that's why we have Simulators!" But surely they simulate the real World and have their nav aids removed as well! Its akin to closing down the power stations in line with some other daft EU Regulation with no replacements. Looks like the Lemmings have mated with the Sheep!

[thing]

It's the bloody NDB's I want them to get rid of, then no more NDB approaches...:ok:

[jxk]

Real men don't quiche or drive Volvos but can fly a NDB approach:O

[TCAS FAN]

jxk

While located on the aerodrome which is operated by Cranfield University, the VOR is operated by NATS, so "no".

[thing]

Real men don't quiche or drive Volvos but can fly a NDB approachhttp://images.ibsrv.net/ibsrv/res/src:www.pprune.org/get/images/smilies/embarass.gif

But do you know anyone that does through choice? Other than revals? Bloody hateful things, especially with a non rotating card.

[mad_jock]

NDB approaches are pants.

But as a SA device for knowing where you are in relation to the airport they are cracking.

And yes I do fly them for ****s and giggles when the cloud base will let me or I can get a cloud break off them.

[thing]

But you're an instructor and likely to be bizarre.