Departure ATIS London Heathrow - 25 KHz spaced radios "unable"?

[ShyTorque]

Hi, I would be interested in the viewpoint of Heathrow ATCOs on this.

This NOTAM has been promulgated for the last few days:

Q)EGTT/QSAXX/IV/BO/A/000/999/5129N00028W005
FROM 08/02/15 12:00 TO 08/02/25 12:00 A0460/08

E)DEPARTURE ATIS WILL BE TRANSMITTED ON BOTH 121.850MHZ AND NEW
DEPARTURE ATIS FREQUENCY 121.935MHZ.

AFTER 25 FEB 1200 THE DEPARTURE ATIS WILL ONLY BE TRANSMITTED ON
121.935MHZ ONLY.

So aircraft not equipped with 8.33 KHz radios won't be able to receive the departure ATIS! Surely a retrograde step?

Visiting helicopters and some smaller fixed wing aircraft are soon going to be unable to receive the departure ATIS because it's going to be broadcast only on 121.935 MHz (most helis don't have 8.33 KHz spaced radios as there is no other requirement to carry one).

How much of a burden will this be to Clearance Delivery (or Ground), who will presumably have to pass the info to pilots before start-up?

[Gonzo]

Not much......how many such outbounds do we get a day?

We need 121.850 for our third GMC position, and the only freq. we could get released for the D ATIS was this one.

[ShyTorque]

......how many such outbounds do we get a day?


Don't know, that's why I'm asking :)

Thanks.

[Gonzo]

Two or three on average.:ok:

[ShyTorque]

OK, thanks. I'll look forward to some special treatment after 25th ;)

[Gonzo]

Standby, I'm too busy to read you the weather at the moment, I'll call you back............

[ShyTorque]

Yep! That's what I thought when I asked "How much of a burden....?" :hmm:

[HEATHROW DIRECTOR]

<<third GMC position>>

The word "aaaaarrrrrgghhhhhh" springs readily to mind. Good luck lads and lasses.. you're obviously spilling over with staff!!

[Gonzo]

HD, that's the funniest post I've ever seen on PPRuNe. Spilling over with staff? If you only knew!

[ShyTorque]

Gonzo, If that was you getting me a rapid clearance to depart H9 this afternoon, thank you! :)

[AlanM]

ST mate - forget it - Gonzo is an office boy nowadays......!! :)

(keeps head down for a while)

[Gonzo]

Office boy who only seems to spend three days a month in the office, because I'm always needed upstairs!!!!:}

ShyTorque, negative, but I will gladly take credit, thank you.

[ShyTorque]

Hi Alan!

Couldn't help noticing that LHR Special was not at home again today. They'd left the answer machine on, referring to a NOTAM that wasn't there when I checked the AIS website before my earlier departure up north.

Thames and Northolt filled the gap well, though. :cool:

[GT3]

Gonzo, If that was you getting me a rapid clearance to depart H9 this afternoon, thank you!

I suspect I worked you inbound (on 118.5) if it was around 1530.

[ShyTorque]

That was I.

Thanks, the expeditious service was much appreciated. I'll be back next week!

:ok:

[GT3]

I prefer not to hold helis to the south on easterlies as you have to give them a later right turn which is long and laborious R/T wise.

However if you have noticed more delay inbound than there used to be its down to procedures on ground meaning no movements in T4 near the helipad. Annoys us too when there is a lot of traffic there, but come next month there wont be so everyone will be happy!

[ShyTorque]

And back next week I was, late afternoon of the 24th. Thanks again, especially for allowing me to depart via the landing R/W, worked a treat for me. :ok: