CATC.
Join Date: Dec 1999
Location: LHR/EGLL
Age: 45
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I know they have knocked down what used to be RAF West Drayton and are now building houses on it
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Hants
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Ops Monkey -
there used to be certain measures in place in case west drayton got knocked out when Swanwick did not exist. Certain Military units around the country were earmarked to be used to provide cover for the country
I am sure the same thing could be done again (using other assets instead of keeping West Drayton open at great expense)
Thw whole site is ear marked for housing.
there used to be certain measures in place in case west drayton got knocked out when Swanwick did not exist. Certain Military units around the country were earmarked to be used to provide cover for the country
I am sure the same thing could be done again (using other assets instead of keeping West Drayton open at great expense)
Thw whole site is ear marked for housing.
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Southern UK
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Would be a nasty commute for Hurn ATSAs posted up there, cos they sure as hell wont be able to afford anything more than a cardboard box in Tower Hamlets in the area...
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Scotland
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Just to throw some more Avgas on the fire - don't forget that there's some prime real estate becoming available in the Prestwick area sometime in the near future that will include (amongst other things) a ready made Ops. room and more office space than even NATS managers would know what to do with 
What you would loose in sunbathing time would be more than made up for by the excellent kite surfing weather...
What you would loose in sunbathing time would be more than made up for by the excellent kite surfing weather...
Join Date: May 2000
Location: London
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Kestral 909, there is a spare room where I live currently.
GBZ, near LHR is not my only home so no problem there, not my main home either really, although I have been up that way on and off since I started Uni in 1998.
GBZ, near LHR is not my only home so no problem there, not my main home either really, although I have been up that way on and off since I started Uni in 1998.
Beady Eye
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: UK
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This may be a bit OT but i overheard some mutterings that post 9/11 NATS were considering keeping west drayton alive on alert 5 (unmanned just ready to go) just incase someone decided to fly a jet into swanick and wipe out 54N and below causing choas in the air..
I know they have knocked down what used to be RAF West Drayton and are now building houses on it.. would be silly to put all ones ATC eggs in one basket without a standby once LATCC finally closes
I know they have knocked down what used to be RAF West Drayton and are now building houses on it.. would be silly to put all ones ATC eggs in one basket without a standby once LATCC finally closes
BD
So not only do NATS put LACC, LTCC and CTC on adjacent sites, but ATMDC is now to be co-located. And just one terrorist bomb threat occurs on the site; what happens? Just Imagine to coin a phrase!
NB NATS used to be ATS provider at Hurn, but I think they lost the contract in about '73, before most of you lot were born!
NB NATS used to be ATS provider at Hurn, but I think they lost the contract in about '73, before most of you lot were born!
Beady Eye
Join Date: Feb 2001
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So not only do NATS put LACC, LTCC and CTC on adjacent sites, but ATMDC is now to be co-located. And just one terrorist bomb threat occurs on the site; what happens? Just Imagine to coin a phrase!
NB NATS used to be ATS provider at Hurn, but I think they lost the contract in about '73, before most of you lot were born!
NB NATS used to be ATS provider at Hurn, but I think they lost the contract in about '73, before most of you lot were born!
There are also other issues which its not appropriate to discuss in an open forum (think about how exposed WD and the Ops room is!)
BD
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: UK
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I find this news of Hurn’s demise sad and utterly bewildering! NATS has a good (be it old) facility at Hurn, in a great location, with good traffic links and accommodation and entertainment for visiting controllers, students and VIP’s. They now intend to spend an absolute fortune in moving the set-up to either the hell-hole of Whitely, or even further a field. A move to Heathrow would be madness and would be done solely for kudos.
From what I can gather, this so-called Centre of Excellence needs to look the part as well as carry out the function required. I’m sure many would agree that the building design and fantastic site location of Hurn is far more appealing than a face-less call centre style building at the CTC, or similar facility at Heathrow, Slough, Basingstoke ….
Why not re-build and invest in Hurn. It would be cheaper than moving and creating the chaos and mass-disturbance for the students, staff and customer units.
But heh, its’ just another crappy decision from the non-ATC suits in Fimble valley!
From what I can gather, this so-called Centre of Excellence needs to look the part as well as carry out the function required. I’m sure many would agree that the building design and fantastic site location of Hurn is far more appealing than a face-less call centre style building at the CTC, or similar facility at Heathrow, Slough, Basingstoke ….
Why not re-build and invest in Hurn. It would be cheaper than moving and creating the chaos and mass-disturbance for the students, staff and customer units.
But heh, its’ just another crappy decision from the non-ATC suits in Fimble valley!
Beady Eye
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: UK
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If it were located at Whiteley how much more convenient that would be for AC and TC controllers participating in Real time simulations, little additional travel to the normal job.
If the Hurn site needs re-building then it could be built anywhere but may be more problematic at the existing site if there is no land to build on whilst still running the existing facility.
Hurn airport DESPERATELY need a new terminal so there may have been financial incentive, in addition to that of co-location, for NATS to move out.
Makes sound financial sense to my ATC support mind.
BD
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: LONDON
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Locating CATC to CTC would enable current ATCOs to be involved in the early stages of training and I think that is important. How many times have we heard OJTIs say that they need to bring trainees out of the college world and into the real world?
I believe that in Germany college training used to be done in a similar way, i.e. trainees for Frankfurt are trained by valid Frankfurt ATCOs. (Don't know if it still is.)
.4
I believe that in Germany college training used to be done in a similar way, i.e. trainees for Frankfurt are trained by valid Frankfurt ATCOs. (Don't know if it still is.)
.4
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: The world's biggest beach
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Keep this quite but i heard a rumour today that they were considering taking over the compass centre when BA move out.For what i hear you ask !! This is where NSL will do their training.
I leave this thought open for your wise comments
I leave this thought open for your wise comments
Where are BA going? Hurn
Compass Centre at Heathrow is built on the original site of? LATCC!!!
NB Lots of empty buildings around Farnborough, plus lots of space for purpose built complex.
NB Lots of empty buildings around Farnborough, plus lots of space for purpose built complex.
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: UK
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From BA Travelplan 05
Conveniently situated for the NATS relocated staff to watch the construction of a new runway at LL and associated infrastructure, don't you think?
Suggestions for the next blindingly obvious move please?
T5 opens in Spring 2008, allowing us to consolidate our operations as opposed to operating from the three terminals we currently use. Our crew will report direct to T5, rather than to Compass Centre,
Suggestions for the next blindingly obvious move please?