Recently observed:
XXX radio this is YYY formation (2 aircraft) inbound request run and break.
YYY formation, XXX radio this is only a radio service, I can not clear you to do anything the circuit is very active on runway.....
YYY fromation rodger will position for a run and break on runway....
Some moments later;
YYY formation bearking off the run and break due to aircraft on final we'll orbit on downwind for spacing.
Circuit continues to be busy and several attempts to make a run and break are broken off and formation continues to orbit just outside downwind.
Some minutes later;
ZZZ aircraft (one of the formation) "bingo fuel, bingo fuel, bingo fuel".
The two aircraft having already loaded the frequency unnecessarly, confirm that number 2 is low on fuel through more blocking of the frequency.
With little or no chance of making their run and break, the aircraft announce that they are breaking clear of the curcuit.
This is followed by the aircraft low on fuel cutting in on final approach on front of two aicraft in the pilot's haste to get their aircraft safely on the ground.
My points are;
1. There was no need to make a run and break
2. The circuit was too busy and if as many argue, it is ok provided the circuit traffic can be visually avoided, why was the run and break broken off so many times?
3. The only reason why the aircraft ended low on fuel was the wasted time spent holding for a run and break
4. Putting the aircraft in this situation could be endangerment.
5. Using military phraseology in a civil environment does nothing for helping pilots to understand what is going on. If the pilot simply said that they were short of fuel then they would have been afforded priority on final by the circuit traffic and would not have to cut up the circuit in a rush back to the ground.
6. When operating in the vicinity of an aerodrome, aircraft shall conform to the pattern or avoid it..........orbiting downwind and busting onto final is not conforming to the pattern.
If run and breaks are to be a new part of the circuit pattern then it is about time that the CAA issued some guidance for those pilots who may find themselves confronted with one.
Regards,
DFC