Hi Big Nose (Monty Python fan?!)
Couln't agree more - this is really what the forum's for.
Could you tell us exactly how long we could delay the acceleration after the accel point if we really had to, sometimes just 5 miles would help us greatly
If you needed it, I'll stick my neck out and say 5 miles would not be a problem - I cannot see a fuel/time issue arising from a accel delay of 30 seconds - and if it makes the wheels turn more smoothly, well that's all of our responsibilities isn't it..... Bottom line; if you judge that its needed then please ask.
I for one (and I'm sure my colleagues would agree) would be far happier to discuss the problem at accel-20 miles and see if we could work something out than have atc feel we a causing them an insolvable problem.
If you find us repeatedly asking for the clearance at accel-5 miles, its not impatience - its only because we need to start shifting fuel (hence CofG) about and many other jobs well before the burners go in, so if you cannot issue the clearance until accel+5, please warn us in advance (rather than just delaying the clearance) and all would be cool
Like a lot of problems in this job, it boils down to communications - if you have a problem then share it with us and we'll work it out.
[ 19 November 2001: Message edited by: NW1 ]