Firstly my job is to provide a BS to any aircraft needing it over Scotland...119.87mhz......yes its a non radar service but if I am advised of traffic by aircraft A and reckon aircraft B will get close I will advise both aircraft!!....therefore the more aircraft I know about by someone calling me the better service I can provide...
Secondly regarding the earlier post re listening 121.5 or Scottish/London Info.........2 weeks back I was called by PA28 routing EGPG-MULL, whilst 10nm north of EGPG PA28 calls rough running engine and intending to force land....within 10 seconds I have asked the aircraft to squak 7700 and at the same time make phone contact with Distress and Diversion cell......during me updating D and D the PA28 advises me he is going to try to get back to EGPG.........I phone EGPG and advise of situation were Air Ground guy there clear the runway of all traffic and advises circuit traffic of situation. I then ask a Katana aircraft who is also in frequency in similar area to get visual with PA28 and follow him back to EGPG......this he does.....in the end the aircraft lands safely less than 10 minutes from the initial call........the reason for rough engine was cracked block/oil loss with probably only a further few minutes flying time before seizure!! Within 3 minutes of my initial phone call to D and D the duty SAR sea King was tasked from Prestwick to head for the last reported osito of PA28...glady not required......this all happened because the aircraft had had the sense to rquest a BS from Scottish info..............if instead he had elected to listen out on 121.5 that initial call may never have been heard due to poor VHF coverage below 3000ft on 121.5 over Scotland..........so my advise is please please please use the service's that are free for all to use....the more that do the better the service will be for one and all.
