Similar to what at Hamble years ago unfortunatley two Hamsters were killed then. Hence a series of PA 28`s with Sunroofs. I worked there for sometime, it is workable if you keep your whits aboout you. As for having radar would that have prevented a collision in the circuit, and an ILS surley that would only add to the confusion in an already ATZ I think it is a god send that people do go elsewhere to practice their approaches.
Sponging off Brize is a bloody good idea,they are hardy pushed over there and taxs are used to fund Brize Norton.
Many who have OATS as your first experience of avaition lead a somewhat sheltered existance, you should also consider that OATS bears little or resemblance to GA in the rest of the country. OATS run avery good operation all things considered, but it is a shame that they put the ATC out to SERCO who fired one of their best contollers.