BIRMINGHAM - 6

[Guest 112233]

The Extension & 33 ILS Saga

The previous post re auto-lands on 33 is quite illuminating - LUT seems to have CATIII issues now with a new car park building, but noting from the Luton thread its a temp downgrade from CAT III B to CAT III a status at both ends.

The BHX 33 ILS Issue,is of a different order. CAT III (A or B) to CAT 1 ( I have looked up the various publicly available minima - I would imagine company operational practice(s) increases the MDA's and RVR limits allowable). Edit: I'm not qualified to speak explicitly on operational issues.

The only properly informed comments I've seen PPruNe have come from a poster who I assume to be an operational pilot or engineer who has direct experience of operations from BHX. (thanks for the EM).

Has their been an explanation from the BHX Management ? at any stage or even better, a technical analysis of the problem and a program of proposed amelioration communicated to the specialist press and effected parties. OK - People employed may be bound by their terms & conditions of employment, from commenting directly but the whole saga is beginning look bad from an SLF's point of view.

Speaking directly from experience as a diverted passenger to EMA one October in the small hours (It was a B737 200 Series - think penny coinage), I can appreciate the problem.

If for example your company operated interlinked operations both within the UK and Europe, the downgrade especially late Sept - late March could play havoc with punctuality.

I know Brum and its Fog's: As a broader issue a permanent downgrade impacts on the suitability of the extended runway for Long haul (overnight)operations and as said; diversions. Freight too.

The 15 end is I assume still CAT III capable to the glass is half full but why has there been no public explanation from the Airport management as to any progress made in finding a solution.

Please correct me if I'm wrong any any of these points thank you.

The situation does impact the travelling public and an informed explanation should be forthcoming.

Of course things may be fixed in the medium term ? If I were a high flying Company executive with a fleet based at a airfield where I faced a degrading of facilities, I would seek to renegotiate my landing fees - Ouch.

CAT III