Busy Frequency MUAC
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 161
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From: NeverLand
Or just another day at the office? Busiest day at MUAC was at just over 5000 flights in one day. Most of last month we're already at well over 4000 any given day (we have our record this year at 4989...for now).
Happy landings!
Happy landings!
Thread Starter
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 2
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From: belgium
Well, it was busy, but more complicated, and the frequency was pretty much unworkable with a lot of background noise and immense amount of readbacks. No WX. Strange things was it was a pilot that felt uncomfortable enough to comment on the situation, not the controller. Never had that before!
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 315
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From: EHBK
I worked the north east corner yesterday (MIC / LBE) and it was busy. Partly due to wx avoidance but not helped by R/T indiscipline. On numerous occasions initial calls were made over already running transmissions. This happened regularly in the space of an hour.On the other hand, there's nothing wrong with a busy frequency, the controller involved should have the big picture and prioritize the communication flow accordingly, ignoring the less pressing exchanges as required. The real butt-clencher is a blocked frequency.
As far as numbers go, we are now handling around 4800 flights a day, as if the downturn never happened.
Edited to say: Zooker, no failures of ATFM or staff shortage involved. All required sectors open and operational. Just busy. It's what we're paid for.
As far as numbers go, we are now handling around 4800 flights a day, as if the downturn never happened.
Edited to say: Zooker, no failures of ATFM or staff shortage involved. All required sectors open and operational. Just busy. It's what we're paid for.
Last edited by Radar; 9th June 2011 at 19:44.
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 202
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From: Enroute to sand.
I was also on one of the frequencies and it was very busy.
Anyone else notice lots of callsign clashes in the last few weeks too, really does not help as pilots either answer back calls not for them,or wait, usually results in a mess and doubt!
Anyone else notice lots of callsign clashes in the last few weeks too, really does not help as pilots either answer back calls not for them,or wait, usually results in a mess and doubt!
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
From: MUAC
Anyone else notice lots of callsign clashes in the last few weeks too, really does not help as pilots either answer back calls not for them,or wait, usually results in a mess and doubt!
Joined: Jan 2006
Aviation Qualifications: CPL
Posts: 1,410
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From: Between a rock and a hard place
Question from a pilot regularly flying in busy airspace, not Europe but in SoCal. In case of an emergency on the frequency that requires close attention, would you send the distress traffic to another frequency (e.g. 121,5) or tell all other traffic to change? Assuming for instance smoke in cockpit (ref. UPS 6) the distress traffic may not be able to make any radio selections at all. Is there any back-up plans for these kinds of situations? Thanks 
More than just an ATCO
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 1,773
Likes: 1
From: Up someone's nose
Yesterday I had RYR9068 and RYR6098 in the sector.
172_driver UK legislation is this
Transmissions from aircraft in distress have priority over all other transmissions. On
hearing a distress call, all stations must maintain radio silence on that frequency
unless the distress is cancelled or the distress traffic is terminated; all distress traffic
has been transferred to other frequencies; the station controlling communications
gives permission; it has itself to render assistance. Any station which has knowledge
of distress traffic, and which cannot itself assist the station in distress, shall
nevertheless continue listening to such traffic until it is evident that assistance is
being provided. Stations should take care not to interfere with the transmission of
urgency calls.
hearing a distress call, all stations must maintain radio silence on that frequency
unless the distress is cancelled or the distress traffic is terminated; all distress traffic
has been transferred to other frequencies; the station controlling communications
gives permission; it has itself to render assistance. Any station which has knowledge
of distress traffic, and which cannot itself assist the station in distress, shall
nevertheless continue listening to such traffic until it is evident that assistance is
being provided. Stations should take care not to interfere with the transmission of
urgency calls.
