Quote:
the aircraft will drop out of any stack when it can and make its way towards the approach at whatever altitude the captain decides with ATC.
The captain does not decide what level they leave the stack at. The approach controller manages the stacks, gives vectors from the stacks and descends the aircraft. Normally the aircraft will leave the stack at min stack level, FL70 or 80 normally (depending on the QNH)
That is information that I didn't have, that the min level is the min leaving altitude/FL; thanks Vortex issues.
And your points about the NATS consultation makes me believe that NATS should have had you on their
PR team, explaining what and how would happen with the new holds for Luton and Stansted. The noise envelope graphics they used were obscure to a great proportion of Joe Public and some of the assumptions/facts that they used were incorrect.
But, we shall see how it goes next time.
It would be good to meet some of you chaps over a beer to discuss it, but this information has been most useful, thanks.