BEagle
Chaps, Heathrow it isn't.
I quite agree...we're busier!!
GMC, Delivery, and Air are all on the one frequency!! Our licences are issued by (and we are audited by) the same Authority and we operate to the same Manual of Air Traffic Services and ANO. Our taxiway and holding point designations conform to the same ICAO requirements....Five Star service for Two star aeroplanes
Cosmic Wind
Ridiculous circuits, outside the ATZ are dangerous, a pain and a problem, but in a busy environment with a wide variety of aircraft types they are somewhat inevitable. In terms of volume, we did around 10 300 movements last month, types varying from Cubs to Falcon 900's. More significantly, there are a wide variety abilities here, from seasoned aviators like your good self, a large number of students to people who shouldn't be let out with a shopping trolley, let alone a tonne of flying metal, Add in the very busy parallel helicopter circuit up to 750' within the fixed wing one and noise abatement procedures and perhaps you can appreciate the many factors causing the problem
I do keep in regular contact with the CFI's of all our homebased clubs and I'm confident that no-one here actually 'teaches' wide circuits. My ATCO's do 'police' things to an extent, occasionally sending wayward circuiteers back to the deadside and offering the option, when appropriate, to change the sequence and slip in the odd 'short approach'...if you haven't been offered one and think it would work, please ask...if we can, we will, unfortunately, our crystal ball is u/s