Hi guys
,
I think some mis-understanding has crept in regarding the 250 below 10k issue.
A variety of different airlines operating into AUH have different policies with regards to speeds. I was just trying to find out what I can expect from who. I do not expect you to violate company policy, and if I do ask for it, its as simple as saying 'Unable to comply'. We will make another plan.
The issue I had with the speeds - was that some pilots are reducing from the speed I had issued without clearance. I issued the speed to maybe keep you ahead so you are number 1, or maybe to stop you from slipping from 4 out of 7 to 6 out of 7. Again, these speeds I give are not advisories, they are instructions. If unable/unwilling to comply, please advise at your earliest convenience, so we can adjust our planning accordingly. There may be another 4 right behind (or even from the opposite direction to) you which we will have to slow down too.
Now this happens infrequently, but I may *gasp* change the inbound sequence. This is done, because I may have found another way of fitting you all in quicker than before (see paragraph above re speeds). It may mean you move from 2 to 3, which then means someone moves from 3 to 2. I would dearly love to make you all number 1 direct GIRBA/RIDEX, but it just can't happen.
With regards to track miles, sometimes the ATC is stretched to the limit. We may not give it, or will give a rough estimate, which I feel is a waste of time. If you are number one for a downwind approach, its approximately your DME from AUH and 18-20nm (8 downwind, 4 base, 8 final). So if youre 40 dme for a L/H 31 and you are number 1, then you will have roughly 60nm to touchdown. If you're straight in for 13/31, and you are at 40dme, then you have 40 track miles to touchdown
. Obviously, another approach control sector would be grand. I heard it is in the works, and the date I seem to remember was around July next year. I don't believe there is any plan afoot to design STARS, but I will investigate.
We have just had a new radar system installed, so in the coming months we should be trained and eventually move across. I have not used it yet, and can't say whether it will hinder or help us, but we will be asking for your help and patience when we do transition to it. You may notice we have a huge tower with a big golf ball on top of it. Well, we don't work up there. Between G1 and D1, there is a little 'standby tower'. Well, that is where we operate from, because our main tower is undergoing refurbishment, new consoles and equipment etc. That is why all your pushback and starts are 'at your discretion'. We can't see anything of B2/B3, A1-A4 and any of the new E-bays. If we have heavies in D1/2/3, then we can see almost nothing.
Thanks for reading, and thanks for the responses. Keep it up!!
We will be at Rockwell Cafe\' around 23:15\'ish... See ya later...