Originally Posted by
Downwind.Maddl-Land
The STARS for Southend facilitate non-radar monitored 'straight-in' approaches to rwy 23 via GEGMU from all directions, so that should not be an issue at all. For rwy 05 from the 'north' one could route via the SPEAR STARS to pick up the 05 ILS/LOC/NDB IAPs from the overhead, or indeed via the GEGMU STARS from the south. Subject to traffic - especially at the hrs under discussion - and the flexibility of the individual ATCO, BRAIN, OKVAP or GODLU direct to GOBOP might be possible for a 05 shortcut, assuming Danger Area activity and GVS restrictions are respected (both should not be a problem, I would have thought).
I imagine the flight plans would be filed via the STARs, but the FR24 tracks suggest they get clearance direct to the approach fix by the time they reach the London FIR, possibly much sooner. The Danger.Areas not an issue in the middle of the night.
But the AIP still stipulates that when radar is not available arrivals should route to the SND NDB and carry out the procedure from there. That presumably is to take account of Danger Area activity in day time. Time for an AIP revision perhaps