Originally Posted by Fuji Abound
Solent and Gatwick
I said a busy
combined Commercial & GA airport - did I not?
the more this attitude prevails, the more resistant GA will become to more airspace grab, the more inclinded GA will be to routing around the zone without talking to anyone, and utlimately the more problems will arise as set out at the start of this thread. That is why a working partenership must be established.
I quite agree - I think that what you've covered in this statement actually helps the scenario.
Beags said earlier on that he's always used the following rule of thumb - if you're within 10 miles of a class 'G' airport with an IAP they get called. Now, if you call you're helping out the ATC service by telling them you're there. If it's done properly, and the relationship works, then the whole need for a small Commercial airport operation (like Coventry) rapidly dissipates. Therefore - no airspace grab. Obviously if you start getting "Controlled" too much then GA is going to bite back - and for good reason. It's up to the ATC provider themselves to teach from within that it is Class 'G'. it's not CAS, and they have to co-operate. That's what we need to happen. If the airlines don't like that then I'll say it again - go somewhere that CAS is already established.
In short if you have not got enough staff to provide the service because your commercial workload has increased get some more staff. Your priority is to provide a consistant service to GA and commercial traffic.
Actually the priority is to provide a safe, orderly and expeditious flow of Air Traffic. If that means occasionally denying access to CAS or delaying access then so be it.
I love the fact that most PPL's, with no training, are all experts at my chosen career. You did your ATC course - where?
How long do your orbit? How long do you wait?
Call early enough and you probably won't have to do either. Call a mile from the zone boundary and that's your own fault.
Strangely, I am not thrilled about doing five orbits while you have a cup of tea and I am literally hanging in suspense.
That is rather insulting, and has no place in rational debate - mainly because it's a complete untruth.
Not my fault either. I suspect if Brussels has screwed up down the line delays should be expected further on.
Like I said - total incomprehension of the system and how it works. That "slot" is normally because the other end has delays (weather, serviceabilities etc etc). To fit in the flow that aircraft has to arrive at destination at a certain time - therefore it has to leave at a certain time. On that basis I have a finite window to depart them, and if it means you pitch up at the wrong moment you get the slight inconvenience. Sorry, but that's how the game is played.
Real world scenario. Greek airport, popular holiday destination, has a major equipment outage. Arrivals restricted to 5
per hour. That affects every departure for there throughout Europe, some departing from us. Believe me - that departure window cannot be broken (And I'm not going to be in the office explaining why I have).