Jim Ball,
I think that the main problem is lack of ATCO awareness in this particular incident.At Aberdeen which has one or two helis,any Atco will tell you that what that controller said about hovering on base leg,was not a good idea.We can they you all the quirks of different marks of the same heli,and even different company ops.One of the very basic things you learn in the Tower there is any heli (AS3B to R22)can't/won't/shouldn't hold on a base leg in a hover.I had to correct an ''expert instructor'' at the college who said that many years ago.I said if it was the old S61 full of big fat heavy oillies,it would be lucky to stay in the air on one engine even at 50kts.
I think Atco's should have a basic understanding of how to deal with helis.It would seem that this is missing.
