Should an AFISO tell me to 'Line up'?

[mark147]

A quick query from a private pilot.

From my PPL training, I thought that if an aerodrome only has AFIS, I can be given instructions relating to movement on the ground, but only information beyond the holding point.

The other day, at an aerodrome somewhere in the South East, the AFISO was giving instructions such as 'G-XX line up' or 'G-XX after the landing line up'.

Is this correct?

I know I can 'discuss' the instruction if I don't think it's safe, but it seemed to be causing problems when other aircraft followed the 'instruction' and lined up in front of an inbound aircraft on final (e.g. me).

I also thought that unless there was an ATC service (and other conditions too), no two aircraft could be on the runway at the same time (i.e. no 'after XXX line up').

Anyone help me out?

-- Mark

[LXGB]

CAP410 says...

Aircraft at the holding position of
runway to be used for departure
ready for take-off:

(Aircraft callsign) hold position.

or

(Aircraft callsign) take off at your discretion, surface wind
(number) degrees (number) knots.

or

(Aircraft callsign) traffic is (traffic information) take off at your
discretion, surface wind (number) degrees (number) knots.**
**Note: Pilots will notify the FISO of their intentions.


Full documents here...

Manual of Flight Information Services - Part A General:
http://www.caa.co.uk/docs/33/CAP410__PartA.pdf

Manual of Flight Information Services - Part B Aerodrome:
http://www.caa.co.uk/docs/33/CAP410__PartB.pdf

Flight Information Service and the FISO Licence:
http://www.caa.co.uk/docs/33/CAP427.pdf

Hope this helps,
LXGB

[srs what?]

New phraseology conjured up by our friends at Gatwick:

FISO: G-XX, your traffic is.../no known traffic report lining up.

G-XX: Lining up, G-XX

Then once lined up:

FISO: G-XX take-off your discretion....

[Squadgy]

The bit about 2 aircraft not being on a runway at the same time is only in the case of landing aircraft. There is no reason why a FISO can't ask an aircarft to report lined up for departure with the landing aircarft still occupying the runway.