ATC History
More than just an ATCO
Join Date: Jul 1999
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Mick Gale also pulled the same stunt at Drayton. That time in pinstripe suit, bowler hat, umbrella and freshly ironed Financial Times if memory is correct.
I remember the edicts from on high about the jackets and ties. I used to commute without a tie and only put it on before entering the ops room. Once received a lecture in the canteen about being improperly dressed before the morning duty.
I remember the edicts from on high about the jackets and ties. I used to commute without a tie and only put it on before entering the ops room. Once received a lecture in the canteen about being improperly dressed before the morning duty.
Join Date: Mar 2001
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Ah, Mr Gale
One Sunday morning he announced that he was going round the corner to the newsagents and would anybody like him to get a paper. Knowing him to be somewhat right wing, I asked if he wouldn`t mind getting "International Marxist Review". he didn`t bat an eyelid, and he returned with "The Sunday Sport" , claiming it was the nearest thing they had.
When I started at Heathrow as an ATCA III, dress code was quite important. I`m sure there was an almost unofficial uniform amongst ATCOs involving corduroy jackets,( with or without elbow patches). Most of the ATCOs at the time were ex RAF, not a few being ex wartime.....stories on a night duty could be fascinating, especially when delivered by the immortal Paddy Haycock.
One Sunday morning he announced that he was going round the corner to the newsagents and would anybody like him to get a paper. Knowing him to be somewhat right wing, I asked if he wouldn`t mind getting "International Marxist Review". he didn`t bat an eyelid, and he returned with "The Sunday Sport" , claiming it was the nearest thing they had.
When I started at Heathrow as an ATCA III, dress code was quite important. I`m sure there was an almost unofficial uniform amongst ATCOs involving corduroy jackets,( with or without elbow patches). Most of the ATCOs at the time were ex RAF, not a few being ex wartime.....stories on a night duty could be fascinating, especially when delivered by the immortal Paddy Haycock.
Join Date: Oct 2000
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I've told this before - a million times, but not in this thread....
When I was training at Heathrow, came my afternoon to spend in the Tower for an hour or so. Paddy got lumbered with me and listening to him was a revelation.. A Trident on the ILS for 28L weaved around a bit so Paddy said: "Who's that avoiding the flak over Hounslow tonight?" Immediately a rather scared voice said "Is it thick tonight, London?"
Many moons later at a Heathrow Nostalgia evening I joined a group, one of whom sported a white beard and hair to match. One of the guys said: "Do you know who this is, Bren?" I looked puzzled.... until the person said: "Hello Bren". Paddy's Irish voice was unmistakable.. Sadly he is in the big Tower in the sky now, but I bet he's keeping them laughing...
On another Irish note.... the last Nostaglia evening, which I was unable to attend, drew attendance from Kevin Staunton.... Do you remember him, Loki??
When I was training at Heathrow, came my afternoon to spend in the Tower for an hour or so. Paddy got lumbered with me and listening to him was a revelation.. A Trident on the ILS for 28L weaved around a bit so Paddy said: "Who's that avoiding the flak over Hounslow tonight?" Immediately a rather scared voice said "Is it thick tonight, London?"
Many moons later at a Heathrow Nostalgia evening I joined a group, one of whom sported a white beard and hair to match. One of the guys said: "Do you know who this is, Bren?" I looked puzzled.... until the person said: "Hello Bren". Paddy's Irish voice was unmistakable.. Sadly he is in the big Tower in the sky now, but I bet he's keeping them laughing...
On another Irish note.... the last Nostaglia evening, which I was unable to attend, drew attendance from Kevin Staunton.... Do you remember him, Loki??
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I remember Kevin Staunton when he was at LATCC. Nice man.
Think he lived in Dublin and commuted to work. The crew were always informed that he was on board. If there was a delay at BNN or was it Watford ? the crew told ATC he was on board and somehow the aircraft got no delay.
Strange that ??
C.
Think he lived in Dublin and commuted to work. The crew were always informed that he was on board. If there was a delay at BNN or was it Watford ? the crew told ATC he was on board and somehow the aircraft got no delay.
Strange that ??
C.
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Hey Mr. Grubby, brush up on your posting skills, I'd love to see that photo!! Scary to think HD may have been in the tower as we were thrashing around the circuit!
Happy Days
Barry
Happy Days
Barry
[/IMG]
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Best story about Kevin is that he bet the pilot of a green aeroplane that he couldn't land without receiving the Middle Marker. He did, so Kevin had to take the ATC vehicle ("Pixie") and pay the guy Ł5!!
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ATC history
Ladies and gentlemen.
These little bits of personal history do not add to the way the ATC system we had during the 1950/60s.
Were any of you involved with the cover-up about the Northolt crash and did any of you have any experience with Wally Wade.
This is real research, not title tattle but an attempt to attribute blame to the correct authorities.
A scapegoat was chosen and he did not deserve it.
So, if you have any serious comments, I would love to hear them.
Thank you.
Xpz67
These little bits of personal history do not add to the way the ATC system we had during the 1950/60s.
Were any of you involved with the cover-up about the Northolt crash and did any of you have any experience with Wally Wade.
This is real research, not title tattle but an attempt to attribute blame to the correct authorities.
A scapegoat was chosen and he did not deserve it.
So, if you have any serious comments, I would love to hear them.
Thank you.
Xpz67
Join Date: Apr 2008
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ATC history.
Hi guys.
We must be talking about 28 course at EGTK.
I remember one guy who could never the the circuit direction correct. You would be going downwind and this PA-28 would come screaming the other with the guy waving. I can't remember his name.
This same guy did one of the heaviest landings I have ever seen but was not fazed he was overtaken by one of his wheels. He did a perfect landing and went round in circles.
The crash I referred to was the one between the RAF York and the SAS DC-6 at Harefield. Wally Wade was the scrapegoat at the enquiry.
It's funny. As I sit here ready postings from people who must be around my generation I realise how much I enjoyed the job.
Does anyone remember "Fang" from the LATCC canteen?
I commented on tittle-tattle in an earlier posting and now I am joining in, it brings back so many happy memories.
Cheers.
JP.
We must be talking about 28 course at EGTK.
I remember one guy who could never the the circuit direction correct. You would be going downwind and this PA-28 would come screaming the other with the guy waving. I can't remember his name.
This same guy did one of the heaviest landings I have ever seen but was not fazed he was overtaken by one of his wheels. He did a perfect landing and went round in circles.
The crash I referred to was the one between the RAF York and the SAS DC-6 at Harefield. Wally Wade was the scrapegoat at the enquiry.
It's funny. As I sit here ready postings from people who must be around my generation I realise how much I enjoyed the job.
Does anyone remember "Fang" from the LATCC canteen?
I commented on tittle-tattle in an earlier posting and now I am joining in, it brings back so many happy memories.
Cheers.
JP.
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Aaagh.....'Fang'...those teeth...both of 'em...the ugliest woman in the world.
Early seventies. Replaced by the gorgous Kiwi who used to ask 'Wijjawint?'
Then there was Grumpy Charlie who rudely closed the canteen in the middle of the night-shift.
xpz, if you remember 'Fang' you might remember those...er....two cleaners.....say no more n-n-w-w
;-)
The mid-air between the York and the SAS 6 occurred between Ruislip and Harefield in July 48.
Full of useless tittle-tattle...
Early seventies. Replaced by the gorgous Kiwi who used to ask 'Wijjawint?'
Then there was Grumpy Charlie who rudely closed the canteen in the middle of the night-shift.
xpz, if you remember 'Fang' you might remember those...er....two cleaners.....say no more n-n-w-w
;-)
The mid-air between the York and the SAS 6 occurred between Ruislip and Harefield in July 48.
Full of useless tittle-tattle...
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xpz267.
Glad you have taken off your serious head and joining in with the tittle tattle.
Life is too short.
The cadet on 28 Course was a great guy called Ian Barber. Unfortunatley he was just not cut out for Air Traffic Controll or flying. He did go solo though at Oxford, much to his credit. The last I heard from him, he was running a restaurant in Biggin Hill village. He was from another planet and kept us all on on our toes whenever he was flying because you never knew what he was going to do next. It was a sad day for our course when he left.
Clint.
Glad you have taken off your serious head and joining in with the tittle tattle.
Life is too short.
The cadet on 28 Course was a great guy called Ian Barber. Unfortunatley he was just not cut out for Air Traffic Controll or flying. He did go solo though at Oxford, much to his credit. The last I heard from him, he was running a restaurant in Biggin Hill village. He was from another planet and kept us all on on our toes whenever he was flying because you never knew what he was going to do next. It was a sad day for our course when he left.
Clint.
Harefield mid-air
PROBABLE CAUSE: "The cause of the loss must in all probability be found in the field of human fallibility on the part of those responsible for the control of the aircraft from the ground or the flight of the aircraft in the air."
ASN Aircraft accident Avro York C.1 MW248 Northwood
PROBABLE CAUSE: "The cause of the loss must in all probability be found in the field of human fallibility on the part of those responsible for the control of the aircraft from the ground or the flight of the aircraft in the air."
ASN Aircraft accident Avro York C.1 MW248 Northwood
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ATC History
Hi guys.
Ian Barber, yes that was him. He never stood a hope in hell of becoming an ATCO but he was nice chap who just didn't get it.
A complete set of notes and the full enquiry into the 1948 mid-air are kept on the Public Records Office under file BT217 2259 parts 1 - 15.
Eric, that quote you gave doesn't appear anywhere in the documents. Whilst correct in part it omits that the crash was caused a a miriad of small errors, inadequencies and an ATC system that was, to use one of todays phrases "not fit for purpose". There were virtually no set down procedures, little coordination at any level, no set of ATC procedures and not even a published Air Pilot!
Clint, Keith Cockanye is still at JJ, Fay left Virgin 747's and is now flying glider tugs in the US. Do you know what happened to Ivor Sims?
God, just the thought of "Fang" makes me shudder.
If you're wondering about BP, we seperated years ago.
What was the name of that girl, on C watch I think it was, who never wore a bra, so we always put her on the right hand side of the CLN suite?
Bucket of water please.
JP.
Ian Barber, yes that was him. He never stood a hope in hell of becoming an ATCO but he was nice chap who just didn't get it.
A complete set of notes and the full enquiry into the 1948 mid-air are kept on the Public Records Office under file BT217 2259 parts 1 - 15.
Eric, that quote you gave doesn't appear anywhere in the documents. Whilst correct in part it omits that the crash was caused a a miriad of small errors, inadequencies and an ATC system that was, to use one of todays phrases "not fit for purpose". There were virtually no set down procedures, little coordination at any level, no set of ATC procedures and not even a published Air Pilot!
Clint, Keith Cockanye is still at JJ, Fay left Virgin 747's and is now flying glider tugs in the US. Do you know what happened to Ivor Sims?
God, just the thought of "Fang" makes me shudder.
If you're wondering about BP, we seperated years ago.
What was the name of that girl, on C watch I think it was, who never wore a bra, so we always put her on the right hand side of the CLN suite?
Bucket of water please.
JP.
Join Date: Oct 2000
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Ian Barber.... We had one at Heathrow. All we have in the records for "The Book" is that he was an ATCA at Heathrow "in the 70s".
Ivor Sims... If it's the same... was at Heathrow 1976-84 thence to EGJB and returned to Heathrow Tower 1994-2004... thence to TC where, presumably, he is still incarcerated.
Ivor Sims... If it's the same... was at Heathrow 1976-84 thence to EGJB and returned to Heathrow Tower 1994-2004... thence to TC where, presumably, he is still incarcerated.
More than just an ATCO
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that quote you gave doesn't appear anywhere in the documents.
FWIW, Propliner did an article on the crash years ago. Might still have it in the attic next to my anorak.
Fang was obviously afte my time, but I do remember fag Ash Lil coughing over my egg butty on a regular basis.
Also the Indian/Pakistani, fresh off the boat, bing shown how to make toast at 0 dark hundred. half. Nobody wanted toast at that hour so it went into the pigswill bin (I think most of the meals at LATCC started there then)
Come 0700, everybody waiting for toast; there he is out the back, puting the bread in ... spreading it with margarine ... cutting it in half ... throwing it in the bin.
Pete ( When I was at Hamble) Withers was on our Watch. Later on his PPL he made a deep impression on a number of the instructors. Few could believe he'd actually seen an arcraft before. IIRC there were a few who questioned the veracity of his log-book.
There is a collection of bits and pieces at Maastricht from 30 years ago - paper strips (!), an old computer memory core which most people would struggle to pick up. You can get more info these days on a memory stick. Also there is the Robby Röther Correctional Stick named after one of the less promising trainees. It was used to stop him touhing the Tx switch. He managed to make it into Flow Control where he was mainly remembered for upping rates without asking the appropriate Sector Chief.