TCAS FAN and others, sorry for the SHORT delay in replying.
As you are no doubt aware there is no way of getting TAFs for anywhere on the near continent other than Ostende.
The actuals from 0930 at L2K were 5000m Viz and 900 ft cloud base.This was obtained several times from the talking telephone ATIS. I expected it to improve, but in the absence of a TAF...
Presumably the other 15 aircraft and the 5 at Rochester, and some later, got the same info. As a sideline it does probably prove that there is a real lack of available weather for this busy area.
Crossing Kent and listening to L2K revealed that most aircraft were at 500 feet.
Legal, yes, but having been there hundreds of times over 35+years I was not happy to mix it with inexerienced PPLs and L2K infamous Air Traffic!
I decided to divert to Lydd and that is my decision and I stick with it.
No I am not bothered about £8.81. BUT if the system is in place(and encouraged by the CAA) why is it not be honoured when a pilot tells them that its a genuine Wx diversion?
I was not abusing it, merely making a comment.
Maybe the Airfield Operator is the one who is abusing it?!
UV