Hi, I would be interested in the viewpoint of Heathrow ATCOs on this.
This NOTAM has been promulgated for the last few days:
Q)EGTT/QSAXX/IV/BO/A/000/999/5129N00028W005
FROM 08/02/15 12:00 TO 08/02/25 12:00 A0460/08
E)DEPARTURE ATIS WILL BE TRANSMITTED ON BOTH 121.850MHZ AND NEW
DEPARTURE ATIS FREQUENCY 121.935MHZ.
AFTER 25 FEB 1200 THE DEPARTURE ATIS WILL ONLY BE TRANSMITTED ON
121.935MHZ ONLY.
So aircraft not equipped with 8.33 KHz radios won't be able to receive the departure ATIS! Surely a retrograde step?
Visiting helicopters and some smaller fixed wing aircraft are soon going to be unable to receive the departure ATIS because it's going to be broadcast only on 121.935 MHz (most helis don't have 8.33 KHz spaced radios as there is no other requirement to carry one).
How much of a burden will this be to Clearance Delivery (or Ground), who will presumably have to pass the info to pilots before start-up?