Do fast jet trainees have to "experience" flying within a TMA as part of thier training or are these flights just for navigational training etc?
No, they dont have to experience it. The flights into Northolt are training flights, but the pilot decided on northolt instead of another fine establishment.
There used to be an annotation in BINA that single engine aircraft were not accepted, (early 90's) when did this change?
The BINA says: Single-engined fixed-wing aircraft are only permitted to land at Northolt under exceptional circumstances and are subject to the restrictions forSVFR flight within the London CTR.
No idea why it says "Exceptional circumstances" but all they have to do is comply with the following, and they can land at EGWU without any fuss....
1. The aircraft will be subject to a SVFR clearence.
2. The aircraft is strictly PPR if it wishes to use Northolt (this is where the OC Ops approval comes in)
3. The cloudbase is not less than 1200ft
4. In flight Vis is at least 10km/LHR Reported Vis of +10km
5. Where the flight is arr/dep Northolt, the max op alt will be 2000ft on the Norholt/London QNH within the confines of the Northolt RMA, and 1000ft London QNH within the rest of the LCTR.
6. Flights are to (where possible) fly IFR. aircraft unable to fly IFR will use the established flight lanes as laid down in AD 2-EGLL-3-1.
1. Does a Hawk coming into Northolt enhance National Security?
No, but at the end of the day it is a military base so why not - it's been here over 93 years, i think the locals are used to it! (even if it it usually looks like an extension to London City with all the civil aircraft)
2. OC Ops has to weigh up his career/ possibly his personal liberty against the strength of an Adour fan blade.... how strong is that blade?
OC Ops only approves the landing at Northolt - SE Flights in the LCTR do not need his authorisation. They only need to be issued a SVFR clearence by either Special/Thames Radar or Northolt Approach to enter controlled airspace (subject to the conditions listed above)
Personally I'd like to see more aircraft come in to Northolt! MM