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flying apprentice
7th Dec 2014, 06:31
I noticed on an ERC that the FIR around Hong Kong is called Radar.

The firs around it are called Control but appear to offer radar service.

So it might be a stupid question but why is it Hong Kong radar and not Hong Kong control ?

I've searched on google but not found an answer.

Minosavy Masta
7th Dec 2014, 09:11
I can't resist but to answer your question in two words....WHY. NOT. ! :hmm:

flying apprentice
7th Dec 2014, 15:20
Unifo

Thanks for the reply.

Still confused as to why you are called 'radar' when your neighbouring firs provide radar control also, and are called 'control'.

Do you do anything in particular different to say Manilla control for example?

Cafe City
7th Dec 2014, 21:08
One could be cynical and say using the term 'control' would imply something. :hmm:

ACMS
7th Dec 2014, 21:49
I won't ask about "Centre" then.......:ok:

spleener
8th Dec 2014, 10:16
Flying Apprentice:

There are no stupid questions!

The answer though, in this case [should there be one], doesn't really matter much.

bekolblockage
8th Dec 2014, 11:24
It probably stems from the days when HK did not have full radar coverage over it's airspace (bearing in mind, HK provided ATC service as far south as Vietnam airspace after the war until 1999).
Althought the procedural separation was provided by a controller in the ATC Centre, the radio communication was normally via an HF operator with the callsign "HK Radio" if my memory serves me correctly. The Aeronautical Mobile Operator would relay any requests of change of level etc to the controller and they would repeat verbatum whatever the instruction given.
Once within radar coverage, the aircraft would be instructed to contact "HK Radar".

Granted, others such as Manila do not have full radar coverage but still call it "Control". It was the same in Australia. Must be a 1950's Pommie thing. Much of what we do is still rooted in that.

flying apprentice
8th Dec 2014, 12:06
Thanks to everyone for their input.

Nice to know the despite their name, HK radar does the same job as their neighbouring firs. Thought the name meant they did something slightly different.

'A rose by any other name would still smell as sweet'

ACMS
9th Dec 2014, 07:38
Australia changed from Control to Centre 20 years ago. ( I'm guessing but it's a long time )

bekolblockage
9th Dec 2014, 12:55
You're right!
Sh1t, has it been that long already?!

swh
9th Dec 2014, 22:49
FA,

Is it HKG radar and not control, as control rests with PEK ?

ACMS,

Surprised it took them that long, they have had the attitude they were the centre of aviation for decades.

LapSap
10th Dec 2014, 01:01
Good to see you have a well balanced personality- chip on both shoulders.

ACMS
10th Dec 2014, 01:35
Oh god.......groannnnnnnnnn

VR-HFX
11th Dec 2014, 03:56
Bekol is correct.
Sh1t..am I that old already?:(