Originally Posted by Mr Angry from Purley
Remember please the original discussion was started by the ATC Watch Controller..........
and a comment about a 'curvature of the earth departure', which seems increasingly to be vindicated as the story unfolds.
Sir Humphrey has indulged a spot of derriere-covering by saying 'it is not possible to confirm absolutely that the aircraft’s rate of climb was above the minimum required' - but maybe he should check his (NATS) sums again ! If he's reading this, the SIDs doc says something about 8·7% and 7.3% climbs. Apparently, it's to avoid hitting stuff and also annoying the nimbys.
Somewhat amusingly, Sir Humphrey also says that a Mandatory Occurrence Report was submitted by the airport, but then Sir H. says that he later decided that an MOR wasn't needed. He regrets, however, to say that the details can't be released for Freedom of Information reasons.
ToTH