Originally Posted by
hec7or
The ATCO may pass on the request, but this is a function of the Sector Operation Centre and would be performed by an Intercept Controller who would not have access to VHF.
By the time you reached UK airspace, in all probability, you would have been tracked by air defence missile systems across europe albeit with the firing circuits disarmed, Nike, Hercules, Bloodhound, Hawk, Patriot etc and they wouldn't have bothered asking.
Yes, no doubt but, nevertheless, in the UK a request was made to embellish and, mindful of the welfare of my aircraft and passengers, I would refuse.
That decision was entirely at the civil aircraft commander's discretion.
My view was: If you want a target then get a Dominie up!
