Cape Town International Airport is rated tops
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Cape Town SA and Manchester UK
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Cape Town ATC
I have to say I have nothing but praise for the guys and gals in ATC. They are helpful and courteous not to mention professional and I would say that flying at FACT has given me a level of confidence I probably would not have gained had I trained at other locations in SA (can't comment on Gauteng as I have no experience of that area).
It's regrettable that as the airport expands GA may be one of the casualties, although I find it hard to believe that there is still an active flying school at Manchester in the UK - the traffic must be double that of Cape Town.
I hope ACSA can take on board Goldfish Jack's suggestions and act on them. Whilst on the subject of ATC I heard a rumour that the FAGG TMA was going to have radar installed but the service would be provided from Cape Town?
It's regrettable that as the airport expands GA may be one of the casualties, although I find it hard to believe that there is still an active flying school at Manchester in the UK - the traffic must be double that of Cape Town.
I hope ACSA can take on board Goldfish Jack's suggestions and act on them. Whilst on the subject of ATC I heard a rumour that the FAGG TMA was going to have radar installed but the service would be provided from Cape Town?
Join Date: Mar 2003
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Hi,
Well done CPT! I went to Cape Town airport February this year, and the newly built international departures lounge is excellent. They truly deserve this award.
Regards
BAe 146-100
Well done CPT! I went to Cape Town airport February this year, and the newly built international departures lounge is excellent. They truly deserve this award.
Regards
BAe 146-100
Join Date: Jun 2000
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Thanks for the kind words about us ATCs. Makes the job even more worthwhile!
Some comments:
Yes Manchester is twice as busy as us, but they have parallel runways and can accomodate the light aircraft no problem.
George Tower: George is not getting a radar for some time yet, although it is pencilled in on the huge big plan. There is an en-route radar, which has been installed on the mountains (Blesberg) above the George area which is used by FACT area. It is only mode C thus cannot be used as a terminal radar. You are now going to ask why not put it at George? The reason is that it will be limited in its cover north of the mountains where we need it. It will be used to increase radar cover between FACT-FAJS, FACT-FADN and so reduce the separation required and so we can handle more flights. (we are being proactive and planning ahead to handle the projected increase in flights - I wonder if anyone at ACSA is doing this?)
As to the light aircraft going to Ysterplaat. It revolves around the ownership of the land. It belongs to the Graaff Trust and they "gave" it to the government on condition it was used for government purposes only. So if they can get passed that, then u never know... Also insurance purposes. What are your liabilities and costs iro operating a civilian aircraft at a military airfield which is utterly and totally non-compliant with ICAO procedures/requirements?
And now for the next problem: With the 2 airbridges about to be commissioned at FACT, it will be too expensive to leave aircraft there for the whole day (costs, under utilisation etc) so they are going to tow aircraft around the apron to try and get max utilisation of the two airbridges. SO be warned. there will be delays and you can expect to sit on taxiways, whilst aircraft are being towed around. Please do not shout at my colleagues - it is not them - direct your complaints to ACSA via apron on 122.65Mhz
Some comments:
Yes Manchester is twice as busy as us, but they have parallel runways and can accomodate the light aircraft no problem.
George Tower: George is not getting a radar for some time yet, although it is pencilled in on the huge big plan. There is an en-route radar, which has been installed on the mountains (Blesberg) above the George area which is used by FACT area. It is only mode C thus cannot be used as a terminal radar. You are now going to ask why not put it at George? The reason is that it will be limited in its cover north of the mountains where we need it. It will be used to increase radar cover between FACT-FAJS, FACT-FADN and so reduce the separation required and so we can handle more flights. (we are being proactive and planning ahead to handle the projected increase in flights - I wonder if anyone at ACSA is doing this?)
As to the light aircraft going to Ysterplaat. It revolves around the ownership of the land. It belongs to the Graaff Trust and they "gave" it to the government on condition it was used for government purposes only. So if they can get passed that, then u never know... Also insurance purposes. What are your liabilities and costs iro operating a civilian aircraft at a military airfield which is utterly and totally non-compliant with ICAO procedures/requirements?
And now for the next problem: With the 2 airbridges about to be commissioned at FACT, it will be too expensive to leave aircraft there for the whole day (costs, under utilisation etc) so they are going to tow aircraft around the apron to try and get max utilisation of the two airbridges. SO be warned. there will be delays and you can expect to sit on taxiways, whilst aircraft are being towed around. Please do not shout at my colleagues - it is not them - direct your complaints to ACSA via apron on 122.65Mhz
GunsssR4ever
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Eischhh ...
... I always knew a fish - bowl is not for me.
You guys are doing a splendid job !
Wanna come and give some training to these morons here ?
See you 13 July ... KLM flight
Yipeee can not wait
You guys are doing a splendid job !
Wanna come and give some training to these morons here ?
See you 13 July ... KLM flight
Yipeee can not wait
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Cape Town SA and Manchester UK
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Goldfish Jack
Interesting to hear about the radar around the Blesberg Mountains - how long has that been operational? Does that mean that there is now a flight information service available in the FACT FIR where we used to broadcast on 126.5?
The airbridge situation does seem like something of a joke - If ACSA want to spend money on the pax side of things at FACT I'd suggest a multi-story car park for the domestic terminal. Is it just me but during the day you can seldom get a car parking spot anywhere near domestic departures/arrivals.
Finally in view of the impending congestion on the ground that will happen as a result of the airbridges will light aircraft be allowed to depart from Charlie when RWY 19 is in use?
Many thanks
GT
Interesting to hear about the radar around the Blesberg Mountains - how long has that been operational? Does that mean that there is now a flight information service available in the FACT FIR where we used to broadcast on 126.5?
The airbridge situation does seem like something of a joke - If ACSA want to spend money on the pax side of things at FACT I'd suggest a multi-story car park for the domestic terminal. Is it just me but during the day you can seldom get a car parking spot anywhere near domestic departures/arrivals.
Finally in view of the impending congestion on the ground that will happen as a result of the airbridges will light aircraft be allowed to depart from Charlie when RWY 19 is in use?
Many thanks
GT
