ATC IssuesA place where pilots may enter the 'lions den' that is Air Traffic Control in complete safety and find out the answers to all those obscure topics which you always wanted to know the answer to but were afraid to ask.
It is far more interesting on radar you lightweight (All you have to do is get yr 2x C150s out of the way!)
On a serious note.... whilst a heavy workload for airports like LCY/BIG etc, CALIB always acts professionally for us and is happy VFR self positioning mainly. (and taking a delay unless you are Cat E!)
The most important thing is to get hold of the "Guide" you publish, and prebrief as much as we can.
Wednesday. They mostly come on that day,which is the busiest with rig change-overs.They mostly operate 9 to 5 which is the busiest time.Come on at Sat or Sun and give us a break.
Had calibrator up at sumburgh a few times the last few months, trying to sort out the new and relocated ILS and LLZ. My first thought... grab the folder with the details of all the serials... THEN try and figure out what to do. or should i say what YOU'RE gonna do
Never had an issue with you guys always proffesional and aware of the wider picture.
Quick q tho... unless you notify us, should we consider you to be a cat E flight? ILS checks etc, i wouldn't instantly assume you are weather or time critical... or am i wrong?
GONZO, 'Yes, CALIB only works at night at LHR, and I guess a few of the regionals like Gatwick and Manchester.' Didn't realise you boys worked nights!!
Only CAT E if we notify you. Only used in EXTEREME circumstances.
Yes, we do work nights, but there are 2 issues with that, No1, the price we charge goes up by quite a large factor (don't know how much) and No2, TERRAIN issues. We can only do nights if we can be certain that we'll be absolutely safe AT ALL TIMES during the procedures which really can't be altered for night tasks.
Weekends....Yes we do that, but I believe the price goes up!
Serial.......Archaic term, just read 'run' if you want to!
Quite nice replies from everyone though. We know we're not the easiest to work with and we know that after briefing you the plan nearly always changes but that's always down to the results that we obtain that sometimes require further runs to clarify the recordings.