ATSOCAS, the first 24 hours...
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ATSOCAS, the first 24 hours...
Just wondering how the revised ATSOCAS has been working out for the legions of terminal and area controllers up and down the nation. I am a Sup at a mil unit and I have to say, it seems that the message reached about 95% of the GA community in our area. Today we have had at least one instance where I can honestly say the new services (in this case TS) enabled one of my ATCOs to proactively position (use of suggest heading) an aircraft for instrument recovery whilst below TSL, instead of climbing him into IMC and making him unhappy! I reckon BS, TS and DS are going to give our pilots a lot more freedom to achieve their aims. We have had a few requests for Basic Information Service though.... 
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Took two radar handovers from two different military LARS units today on aircraft flying under "Traffic Information Services"; also had a freecalling transitor request an "Air Traffic Service"!
Mind you, I nearly gave somebody a FIS! Caught myself just in time though! Still a little difficult to resist the temptation to over-call traffic that might previously have been called but is now no longer (sic!)required.
All in all, I think everybody seems to have prepared farely well for the changeover, and appear to be quite ready to cope with the new services.
Mind you, I nearly gave somebody a FIS! Caught myself just in time though! Still a little difficult to resist the temptation to over-call traffic that might previously have been called but is now no longer (sic!)required.
All in all, I think everybody seems to have prepared farely well for the changeover, and appear to be quite ready to cope with the new services.
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Sounds pretty good then. Guess the old line-books could be getting a good bashing in the next few days then! "I'd like a Flight Information Traffic Deconfliction Service" would be my call I think....
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CAP 493 Section 1 Chapter 11
3.3 Flight Rules and Meteorological Conditions
3.3.1 Basic Service is available under IFR or VFR and in any meteorological conditions.
Pilots should be aware that Basic Service might not be appropriate for flight in IMC when other services are available.
I wondered if the removal of the previous obligation of Approach units in Class G to separate IFR flights would encourage 'queue jumping' tactics.
Time will tell I suppose, but certainly on day one, I had my first case of an inbound aircraft flying in IMC (clearly stated by the pilot) who elected to receive only a Basic Service. The reference from CAP493 above states that this might not be appropriate; however it is uncontrolled airspace at the end of the day. As an ATCO with over 12 years of APP in Class G, it felt very strange indeed.
Last edited by Desert Hunter; 12th Mar 2009 at 20:39. Reason: can't spell
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Well I managed my first operational use of the phrases "Basic Service, Traffic Service and Deconfliction Service" today............ and I was doing GMC at our airport well inside CAS at the time!
One of the guys doing radar today said one pilot asked him for a CONFLICTION Service - now that leaves room for a bit of fun
DD
One of the guys doing radar today said one pilot asked him for a CONFLICTION Service - now that leaves room for a bit of fun
DD
Luvverley!
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Dammit! I was going to start a thread entitled "How was it for you?" on this subject... 
We at Newquay noticed a small number of light a/c requesting Traffic Service in the belief that they would get nix traffic info* on a Basic. Other than that, mainly (tentatively?) OK so far.
*I think perhaps a few less than frequent flyers may be confusing the terms "Traffic Service" with "traffic information." That was my feeling, anyway.
We at Newquay noticed a small number of light a/c requesting Traffic Service in the belief that they would get nix traffic info* on a Basic. Other than that, mainly (tentatively?) OK so far.
*I think perhaps a few less than frequent flyers may be confusing the terms "Traffic Service" with "traffic information." That was my feeling, anyway.
Course you all realise that 'Traffic Information Service' is what RIS was originally called when it was first introduced back in about 1980. It was originally intended for use in MTA's and at MOD(PE) units in the aftermath of the fiasco of changing from VMC and IMC Radar Advisory Services to Radar Advisory Service, where pilots wanted traffic info but NOT get vectored all over the sky.
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First day on duty today after the changes.......only one out many customers asked for a FIS, the rest on inital contact asked for a BS.......well done one and all...
All is going well. Caught out one of our glorious aviators this afternoon asking for RIS. Bless he was busy, unfortunately I was far too busy to give banter! Missed fining opportunity. Have heard that some colleagues up the road are being bombarded with requests for Deconfliction Service from VFR GA who'd normally ask for a FIS. Ho, ho, ho 
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Alien Aviator
As a brit who works overseas, and once or twice year visits the UK, I was unaware of the new procedures.
Where can i obtain the procedures for this new service.?
Is it only UK, or Eurocontrol.
I fear asking for BS might just get me shot.?
What was rong with RIS FIS, they did the business.?
Thanks in advance of my next trip to EGGW.
glf
Where can i obtain the procedures for this new service.?
Is it only UK, or Eurocontrol.
I fear asking for BS might just get me shot.?
What was rong with RIS FIS, they did the business.?
Thanks in advance of my next trip to EGGW.
glf
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Gulfstream, try here Air Space Safety: ATSOCAS 917
