TCAS FAN,
That is an interesting point you have made there. I will admit, I have always been a little afraid of contacting some ATC units that do not participate in the LARS service for the sake of p**sing them off.
I remember one time when I was flying from Blackbushe to Stapleford, and the majority of the flight south of the Thames was in IMC. After Farnborough terminated my radar service I contacted Biggin for the zone transit and requested from the them if they could request a radar service from Thames Radar for me. Now, I know that Thames provide a radar service for Biggin, for their instrument approaches, however do they welcome pilots calling them for a RIS when pilots are in IMC, and flying very close to their control zone? I have heard a few stories from other pilots about ATCO's getting a little frustrated with pilots treating them like a LARS service, and I can understand that, however I must admit, I feel a lot more comfortable flying in IMC in uncontrolled airspace when I have a radar service.
Just thinking out loud here, would much rather work with ATC, than get on their nerves!
Heathrow Director, well, with regard to CPL/IR holders, perhaps some of the £3000 ish charges for the candidate taking exams and flight tests contributes?
