Been in and out of Manch loads of times (used to fly a based 172 years ago), but not so much recently since it has become less GA friendly. Last time was summer before last when they allowed certain 'interesting' aeroplanes in free during the '100 years of flight' weekend. I took our Chipmunk in twice! And got the new runway in me logbook.
Said Chippy is now based at Liverpool. ATC are 'variable'. Generally very good, but this Saturday lots of delays to us both leaving and returning. It is getting busier with commercials, and I understand there are currently trainee ATCOs on duty being trained up to cater for the increased commercial traffic. That might explain the percieved lack of flexibilty to us GA types last Saturday in getting us away/in when a Sleazy Jet (or whatever) is on an 8 mile final. Previously an 'immediate T/O clearance' with an early turn out was not unusual when said sleasy is short final or lining up from an intersection further back along the runway.
SSD