I've never noticed it happen in the UK. Are you saying it can happen anywhere that has a sufficient lull in traffic and low winds, or are there other specific conditions needed?
Yes....I used to work in Manchester Tower,[EGCC] I now work in Manchester Area...[MACC]
Several examples...
XYZ123 inbound to EGCC from the west, [runway in use 23R] "Request straight in R/w 05L"...after MACC?EGCC Approach and Tower agree, "Roger XYZ123, cleared Visual/ILS approach to 05L"..depending on the volume of traffic. eg, 1 a/c at 20 nm for 05, 1 a/c at 60 nm for 23. Perfectly safe, but will not switch ILS
EGNM [Leeds] are on r/w 32, but an inbound from Scotland
may be offered 32
EGCN [Donnie] have as SOP r/w 20 arr and 02 dep...Noise
EGGP, [Liverpool] will accomodate "wrong end tfc"
40 years ago at EGBB [Brum] we did "wrong ends"
In the long run, if we can do it we [ATC] will. It uses less fuel, a/c is on frequency less, no mither, no bother, no fuss...ergo, no problem
Oh yes, I'm an Assistant, I just help...it's the ATCO who does the work
watp,iktch