Chilli
Whilst I have some symphathy for your comments the CAA would seem to take a different view. AIC 48/2004 offers some specific guidance about what an ACC FIS is intended to provided which specifcally (there use of words) includes "general traffic information" and "general information about traffic reported as operating in the same area".
Outside of controlled airspace in IMC I know of no other service that can provide traffic information. A visit to SFD on IMC days will tell you there is a fair bit of instrument training traffic around and some en route traffic who doubless should be at the correct level but are often not. I am pleased to have an idea who is around and what they are doing, VMC and IMC whilst also looking out of the window.
I find if you have a serious problem a Pan tends to grab everyones attention, with the resultant peace and quite that follows. Of course as you know D and D are probably a better alternative in these circumstances, as presumably you will be after a fix as soon as possible.
Personally I have never had a problem getting the information you indicate. I accept that there are occasions when it may take several minutes to get a call in, but there again as long as you are thinking ahead I dont see that as a problem. I would however suggest that if only pilots were trained better the vast majority of calls could be a great deal shorter if only by cutting out all the ums and ahs. Some calls make us all cringe.
Think before you speak, and that way you will know what you are going to say.
In so far as the thread is concerned, again I would quite like to know from London info or anyone else for that matter if an aircarft is "attempting" a cloud break where I am.
Last edited by Fuji Abound; 1st June 2006 at 11:53.