raisin
10th Jun 2008, 19:21
Flying into Luton from the south, we are descended over London towards Brookmans Park and Barkway and then handed over to Essex Radar. I realise that you deal with a lot of flights and you do a great job.:ok:
However, I do have a question regarding the routings we get given once we get handed over. Frequently we hear something along the lines of "No delay for Luton. Turn right heading 040" or something similar to find ourselves being vectored over Hertfordshire/Essex for 5-10 minutes at 220kts/5000' before being vectored towards a base leg for Luton. As we have heard no delay, and we're not being sent to the hold, we think that we're getting sent towards a base leg sharpish and hence the speedbrakes come out and we're down to 5000' quick with the speed coming back. My query/point is, for us, in terms of CDA's and fuel planning, it is more useful (or at least it would be for me) if we are sent to the hold at Lorel and told how long we will be there, or at least be told that we are being put on delaying vectors.
Is it because with the increased traffic going into STN and LTN that there just isn't space for LTN aircraft in the holds?
Please understand that I'm just trying to get a feel for how you guys operate so that I/we have a better idea of what to expect when we get into your sector. Obviously your picture is changing constantly with aircraft turning up at unexpected times - my query is merely borne out of professional curiosity.:)
However, I do have a question regarding the routings we get given once we get handed over. Frequently we hear something along the lines of "No delay for Luton. Turn right heading 040" or something similar to find ourselves being vectored over Hertfordshire/Essex for 5-10 minutes at 220kts/5000' before being vectored towards a base leg for Luton. As we have heard no delay, and we're not being sent to the hold, we think that we're getting sent towards a base leg sharpish and hence the speedbrakes come out and we're down to 5000' quick with the speed coming back. My query/point is, for us, in terms of CDA's and fuel planning, it is more useful (or at least it would be for me) if we are sent to the hold at Lorel and told how long we will be there, or at least be told that we are being put on delaying vectors.
Is it because with the increased traffic going into STN and LTN that there just isn't space for LTN aircraft in the holds?
Please understand that I'm just trying to get a feel for how you guys operate so that I/we have a better idea of what to expect when we get into your sector. Obviously your picture is changing constantly with aircraft turning up at unexpected times - my query is merely borne out of professional curiosity.:)