The phraseology for SRA's is a bit different to other procedures, and a bit different too, specifically at Gloucester.
For 27 Approaches, it's: "This will be a surveillance radar approach, runway 27, terminating at 2nm from the runway threshold. All ranges passed during final approach are measured from the runway threshold... (this is because the origin of our approach line is generated at the runway threshold, rather than the 'touchdown' point, which is 523ft further down the runway)...The approach is based on a 3.5 degree glidepath, check your minima, step down fix and missed approach point."
We also have to tell you that 'Radar contact may be lost as you pass high ground east of the airfield.' As you pass the Cotswold escarpment, 5 miles east, sometimes the processor will remove the fixed radar returns from the high ground (permanent echoes) and the moving targets too, because there's a huge amount of reflection from the hills and not very much from you.
It's a mouthful, but 'roger' will suffice. During the approach, we'll also ask you to check wheels, check QFE/QNH and check minima again (at the range before the lowest OCH)
We normally drop the 'wheel check' for fixed gear aircraft, but obviously some PA28's are retractable
Unfortunately, we don't have secondary radar, so everything we do is primary only. Our displays are capable of displaying SSR data and the coverage from the NATS SSR feed at Clee Hill about 40 miles north is fantastic but they charge huge amounts per annum to send the data down a phone line! You should, however, squawk 7000 with mode C, for the benefit of the adjacent radar units.
We enjoy SRA's too, the half milers are even better. The radar operates in the 3cm waveband, which is normally susceptible to precipitation clutter, but we spent a lot of money on the system last year, replacing the old valve technology with solid state transmitters/receivers, PC based processing and new 22 inch displays. The end result is a much more reliable system, with greatly improved performance, even in precip, enabling us to achieve CAA Approval for radar services within 20nm up to FL80.
Let us know when you're coming next time and we'll give you the guided tour.
360's SRA's generally have a passing acquaintance with the centreline, but he'll be delighted to give you a speechless, no compass, no gyro half-miler next time.