Is it really safe?
Would airline passengers be happy if they knew that when flying into alot of busy regional airports that they are not being seperated from all traffic in their vicinity?
What im getting at is that with alot of CTR/CTA operating as Class D airspace then sure your separated from other IFR flights but only given traffic info on VFR flights. As a pilot would'nt you like to know that the ATC is keeping everything away from and not only some of the traffic..kinda defeats the purpose of ATC in the first place. As an ATCO working this airspace..does it feel like your not really doing your job fully.
Would Class C airspace at aerodromes provided with ATC be much better for all concerned..IFR separated from both IFR and VFR. The ATCO knows he is providing a proper service to all commercial traffic..the flight crew know that they can concentrate on the approach and landing in the safe knowledge that ATC is separtaing them from all conflicting traffic (obviously situational awarness by the crew is still essential) and not pop outs cloud and see some little egg beater helicopter chugging directly for them..and the passengers know that what they think Air traffic contol does is actually what it does!
As for commercial airports operating with just an ATZ in the middle of a field of Class G airspace..is that not just madness!..so legally an aircraft can fly through an instrument approach at about 3-4 in front of a B757 carrying 200 odd holidaymakers on final approach without saying anything to anyone!! Whats the point of ATC at an airport like that!
Or radar advisory/information service where the controller is only separating traffic that want to play..from a controller point of view..again do you feel your only half doing your job(Not your fault obviously!) but the authourities
I dont think that all aircraft flying anywhere in the UK should be under ATC as that would be over kill..but i think all CTR/CTA should be class C and outside that class G with a flight info service would be fine!
Please dont hesitate to rip my thoughts and opinions to shreds and re-educate me!!