vancouv
8th Aug 2007, 07:14
Now that Heathrow tower is airside and out of bounds, is it possible for a PPL to arrange a tower visit to either Luton or Stansted? I don't know the location of the towers and whether they are airside or not.
Buster the Bear
14th Aug 2007, 20:41
Both Stansted and Luton towers are landside.
CAP493
17th Aug 2007, 08:02
Is it possible for a PPL to arrange a Tower visit to either Luton or Stansted?
The Tower at Luton is landside but within a controlled-access security compound and so not accessible unless authorised. For Luton, ring NATS Luton's Admin on 01582 395229/395230 and ask to arrange a visit. They'll liaise with an ATC Watch Manager for you and fix up a mutually convenient time and date: but avoid evenings, weekends & BHs when the ATC staffing tends to be minimal, and so there may not be anyone free to host you.
You will be required to produce official photographic ID.
Do remember that for both Luton and Stansted, if you're interest is primarily with the radar side of the ATC operation i.e. controlled airspace transit, ATSOCAS, etc., then these services are provided by the 'approach radar' controllers at West Drayton, not by the controllers situated in the airport control towers.
If your intention is to try and fly in then you need to liaise with one of the airport operating companies (Stansted = STAL, Luton = LLAO) and not with ATC; and certainly for Luton (no doubt also for Stansted), it's likely that you will be required to select a handling agent and have a runway slot allocated so it's probably not worth the hassle - better to jump in your car than in your aeroplane.
:ok: