Shanwick oceanic

[Stampe]

Are they still located at Prestwick?,saw some interesting pictures whilst browsing in an aviation bookshop.As a regular "customer" of the centre is it possible to organise liason visits?? I,d be very interested!1:ok:

[javelin]

It's located in Ballygireen near Shannon - Wikipedia has some info

[HEATHROW DIRECTOR]

Javelin is partly right - I believe I am right in saying that although the transmissions are made from Eire the ATC staff are located at Prestwick.

[Stampe]

The voices on the radio always sound very jolly andIrish but they of course are radio operators. I,d be very interested to see the workings especially the forward projection of traffic.Role on ADS-B.

[PPRuNe Radar]

As stated, the ATC Centre is in Prestwick. Ballygirreen is in the Republic of Ireland (formerly Eire).

Yes, visits by aircrew are possible, as at most NATS facilities, though I am not sure if you'd be able to see the new kit being introduced there as training is still underway and access is limited. However, the current Ops Room would look after you I am sure.

[rab-k]

See following links for info:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shanwick_Oceanic_Control

http://www.nats.co.uk/text/82/scottish_and_oceanic_control_centres.html

http://www.iaa.ie/air_traf/sha_map.asp

No problem organising visits to Prestwick. Call/write to NATS at Atlantic House to explain who you are and what you'd like to do and take it from there.

The new Ops Room can be visited albeit briefly at the moment by those 'from the outside', in other words you'll get your head 'round the door for a peek and that'll be that. The engineers are still playing with the new kit, 'SAATS', and the training of ATCOs/ATSAs is currently being done in a separate area.

The existing kit is due to be replaced mid-Oct so if you're planning a visit and want to see 'FDPS' as it's known in action, you'd better be quick.

With the new kit being quite a bit different and still, how shall I put this, suffering a few hiccups, you may wish to wait until later in the year to let the guys/gals get accustomed to it before going to have a look. (I doubt very much if anyone would be too keen to have you sit next to them and then explain the workings of the system/airspace to you while they are still adjusting to the revised modes of operation that the new kit will bring).

There remains a slight '?' over the timing of the new kit 'going live' so check either back here or with NATS nearer the time of your planned visit to establish exactly which Ops Rm you'll be visiting and how settled the troops are with regard to chatting to visitors if the new kit has indeed been introduced.

C u soon(ish). :)