Good afternoon;
Hamad ANSP is, was and will always be understaffed. In particular the Approach Radar staffing. Right now we may have the numbers (some have questioned the recruiting, but that is misplaced), but all signs point to many of those hastily employed will be terminated after the World Cup next year. This is to return to a budget that does not drain the QCAA. A 2019 budget. With the looming Acc sector that seems almost idiotic, welcome to HAMAD Internationals (QCAA AND) approach to business management. Everything but everything is knee jerk, there is no progressive thinking. Change is forced.
Lot of people here are blaming ENAV/Fusion and IBG for certain recruiting methods resulting in incorrect individuals. You’re painting the wrong kangaroo mate. Blame QCAA. Since December 2010 they have been aware that they will host the World Cup in 2022. 12 years. 144 months. 4380 days. When did they begin planning for the World Cup?? In late 2021, and even then it was reluctant. Infrastructure around the rest of the country was on track. Accommodation, transport , common areas, entertainment etc etc. Everyone watched terrified as there was simply nothing done year after year after year. COVID cannot be blamed for this. Incidentally, there is quite a significant number of staff that want out. The obvious choice is the slicker and far superior managed ANSP’s to Hamad’s east. Many have successfully completed APC’s, but have yet to be employed by them as there was begging by their superiors (superiors at HAMAD) not to employ them just yet with the World Cup so close. Whether this holds remains to be seen but it’s safe to say the relationship now with those individuals that want to leave is tenuous at best. This is not the first time that begging took place not to take individuals from HAMAD, and it will not be the last. There is no learning curve here. It’s actually a very trusted method by the AND that’s stood the test of time. That methodology is simple yet very effective, Do everything the same way over and over again and expect different results each time. What could possibly go wrong? Works every-time.
There is lovely new equipment (hard and software. Software receiving regular updates), new airport, new procedures, yet the actual day to day operations are no different to that of the 80’s / 90’s. Ask any of the controllers if they know the full functional capability of the equipment they are using? It’s all hit & miss. None have been trained on the equipment. Training of course was available but staffing was too critical to release for training. Current understanding is self taught which we all know translates to trial and tribulation. Not the best approach to an ANSP that is home base to the fastest growing airline globally. The safety department and ATFM department exist in name and documentation only. This is to satisfy regulation and auditors. They even have a department fully staffed to address ATFM, but in actual practise, it has not been allowed to be implemented. Do you honestly for one moment believe that QTR AWY’s will allow themselves to be dictated to at home base ?? Never gonna happen. Everything here is based on expedition. If you dare think of placing a ‘hold for release’ on any aircraft, you’re questioned. Seen as a weak or incompetent controller. Never cancel the automated release. That thinking resulted in the most terrifying near collision I’ve ever seen here, in Dec 2020.
Revolved around the annual National Day celebrations and a B787 (QTR AWY’s) and a SuperMushshak (PAC MFI-17) trainer from the QEAF. Came within feet of each other. All the result of the unreasonable focus on expedition. There have been others, but to show just how expedition overrides safety here, that is the absolute worst I’ve seen. Losses of separation here are a weekly affair. The aeroficial tool cannot lie. Wake loss on dep/arr and sep loss in the TMA. Simply run roughshod over. A scapegoat will always be found (never a local of course) and you will either be thrown in jail or fired.
You cannot blame the controllers applying here, many of them believe that operations world wide are similar. Come to Hamad if you’re really looking for a challenge, you will absolutely find it here. However, know that the only thing standing between you and being fired is your individual ability. If your experience background is one of strict regulation, maybe this is not the unit for you.