Direct the Centerfix?

[G-BPEC]

Hi,

I was listening to Manchester Approach late one evening at about midnight when a JMC 757 came on, approaching Dayne. He checked in with the controller and the ATCO cleared him "Direct to the Centerfix for 24R". What is the "centerfix"?

Thanks
G-BPEC
B757-200

[static]

Hi,
"Centerfix" refers to the way the waypoints are called in the FMS in Boeing aircraft.
The centerfix is a point just prior to glideslope intercept on an ILS, when programmed in the FMS.
This ATCO has obviously been on a fam-flight and knows the lingo.
ATCO`s in AMS regularly clear us to e.g. OA01, refering to a point pilots create in their legs-page in the FMS, which is situated 4 NM west-abeam OA locator, the start for an ILS approach 19R.
This is all non-standard ofcourse, and is only done when it is really quiet and everybody is happy with it.

Regards.

[AffirmBrest]

we have 'em in the 'bus, too - most ATCOs use the phrase, or know what we mean when we request it. DUB, MAN, GLA, BFS have all done it in recent weeks.

Only usually mentioned when it is quiet because that is the only time you are likely to be allowed to self-position to the CF, not because there is anything naughty or unsafe about it.

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...proceeding below Decision Height WITH CAUTION...

[10W]

Some more on this over here........


http://www.pprune.org/ubb/NonCGI/Forum6/HTML/000686.html


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10 West
UK ATC'er
[email protected]