Originally Posted by Wee Weasley Welshman
Robin, COV had 3 737's belonging to ThompsonFly who should be looking at an average of 7 movements a day..
The PFA response looks at the number of flights throughout the year and proportioned the runway that would force the extension of the airspace. This works out cuurently at around 4-5 a day. Compare that with movements at Gatwick which has not asked for such a massive expansion
Originally Posted by Wee Weasley Welshman
All airline pilots are taught to look out because at one point all airline pilots were PPL's - some of us still are. I have seen and avoided in my 737 more light aircraft than have seen and avoided me - one on Saturday springs to mind.
I would doubt that. When flying my glider, when you hear a piston engine or a jet engine, your head starts moving about (and one's sphincter does other things) until you have identified the aircraft in question.
I know of few pilots who are likely to lose sight of a 737. They do however lose sight of microlights, gliders and small aircraft. So shoving us into smaller and smaller corridors (Luton/Stanstead corridor, the CPT honeypot, the Brize/Lyneham area, for instance) only adds to our risks
Many years ago, the great Philip Wills was involved in the design of the Luton Airspace around Dunstable. Reps from the CAA, the airlines, the airport and ATC were chuntering on about extending the airspace to ensure safe passage for airliners. Huge areas of airspace for a small number of commercial aircraft were proposed. He stopped the discussions dead in their tracks when he asked the simple question - 'who is responsible for flight outside the controlled airspace'. Then the powers that be were smart enough to understand that by restricting open FIR they increase disproportionately the risks to VFR flight. 90% of flight is done in the sport and light aircraft sector, but we are being squeezed into smaller and smaller pockets of unregulated airspace.
Of course, when the collisions then happen, like the accident at Brookman Park, there is a call for more regulated airspace. In reality what is needed is less, so we have a fighting chance of passing each other in safety
Originally Posted by Wee Weasley Welshman
But don't lash out at commercial aviation as it's us who pay the bills (along with the MoD). Unless you fly from your own grass strip then I bet either the airline passenger or the military have paid for the majority of the resource you chose to enjoy (air is free but hangars and runways and ATC are not).
Cheers
WWW
Wrong. I actually find that the commercial operators are responsible for many of the unnecessary bills I have to pay. Flying from strips, I don't need the Mode S, at times not even a radio,