Heathrow taxy guidance lighting
Join Date: Nov 2003
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I think by CAP168 standards (in the UK) all airfields that operate in RVRs of less than 400m will have such a system, it's just that so far as I know only Heathrow and Gatwick operate them as switchable at night regardless of weather.
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: LONDON England
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Minesachevvy,
Ahh, sir.
The days when you guys did the job are significantly different. Things have moved on from when you departed monsieur. We now have strips, yes strips. No more memorising traffic, pushbacks or writing towing traffic on clipboards. You will remember ground radar with labels, but you remember also ground radar primary only.
It is less demanding in some ways but adding T5 into the equation means scanning a larger area.
Respect to you sir , you did the job when GMC was never split, with few if any , of the tools we have today.
A/t
Ahh, sir.
The days when you guys did the job are significantly different. Things have moved on from when you departed monsieur. We now have strips, yes strips. No more memorising traffic, pushbacks or writing towing traffic on clipboards. You will remember ground radar with labels, but you remember also ground radar primary only.
It is less demanding in some ways but adding T5 into the equation means scanning a larger area.
Respect to you sir , you did the job when GMC was never split, with few if any , of the tools we have today.
A/t
Join Date: Dec 2009
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Kind words, A/T, for which I can feel the lurve.....
Before anyone who knows us both says 'For Gods sake, get a room', I didn't know about the strips. Very logical, indeed. Do they get amended when push is approved?
Before anyone who knows us both says 'For Gods sake, get a room', I didn't know about the strips. Very logical, indeed. Do they get amended when push is approved?
Join Date: Jun 2000
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Affirm, they move automatically from one bay to the next. Better than trying to remember if N86 OR A5 had been given approval to push before routing aircraft on the inner!
Join Date: Jun 2000
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HD,
Young bunch now, many of whom were not around until the late '80's! However Andy Macgregor is still there, well unyil November anyway!
Screwed in the victors? Well I have seen someone get screwed in the Bravo's!
Young bunch now, many of whom were not around until the late '80's! However Andy Macgregor is still there, well unyil November anyway!
Screwed in the victors? Well I have seen someone get screwed in the Bravo's!
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: Deepest darkest Inbredland....
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JP telling a pilot she'd just been screwed in the Victors
My 4 Lighting Panel heroes - Bob Cook, Eric George, Trevor Tapsall & Eric Dallison. Anyone remember the problems when the VCR got a new carpet in the early 70's ? The static from it was nasty - I walked past Cookie one night when he was on the panel & put my finger near the back of his neck - he went so upright, you'd have thought Douglas Bader had just entered the room 
Join Date: Oct 2000
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<<Bob Cook, Eric George, Trevor Tapsall & Eric Dallison>>
At least three no longer with us.... and remember John MacPherson, Ivan Saunders, Clem Cleminson, Mike Davis et al. A most amazing bunch of people.
There was a story that Eric Mather (the moth man) was showing some visitors the lighting panel one day and he directed their gaze to someone working on the taxiway in the far distance.. "See that chap out there? He's working on the taxiway light and with one press of this button I can blow him up" (or words to that effect). No wonder visitors always thought we were totally mad!
They must have also thought the whole place was mad when the guys came round to water the carpets to keep down the static..
At least three no longer with us.... and remember John MacPherson, Ivan Saunders, Clem Cleminson, Mike Davis et al. A most amazing bunch of people.
There was a story that Eric Mather (the moth man) was showing some visitors the lighting panel one day and he directed their gaze to someone working on the taxiway in the far distance.. "See that chap out there? He's working on the taxiway light and with one press of this button I can blow him up" (or words to that effect). No wonder visitors always thought we were totally mad!
They must have also thought the whole place was mad when the guys came round to water the carpets to keep down the static..
HD
Bren you sold yourself short - you were at LL until Oct'93!
Do you remember John Wood, Ltg' Op' on B watch? Smashing guy!
John went on a holiday to somewhere exotic to the East and came back with loads of 'copy' stuff. On his first N duty back he arrived for work in the 6th floor Approach Room and Derek H said there's someone here who wants to talk to you. DH pointed to a very dark part of the room where John could just make out a figure in HM Customs uniform. His face went ashen and I guess his knees turned to jelly,'Oh my gawd' he must have been thinking,' I should have kept quiet about that gear'.
He went across to the Customs man who was finding it increasingly difficult to keep a straight face. 'I've come to question you about contraband' or words to that effect, said he. Then he burst out laughing took off his cap and hey presto! It was Kev McMahon, who had borrowed his brother's ( a genuine customs man )uniform.
I bet 'Reds and Greens' were interesting for Kev after that!
Lighting operators - great guys and girls - a bit like hairy old Flt Engineers, you upset them at your peril!
Do you remember John Wood, Ltg' Op' on B watch? Smashing guy!
John went on a holiday to somewhere exotic to the East and came back with loads of 'copy' stuff. On his first N duty back he arrived for work in the 6th floor Approach Room and Derek H said there's someone here who wants to talk to you. DH pointed to a very dark part of the room where John could just make out a figure in HM Customs uniform. His face went ashen and I guess his knees turned to jelly,'Oh my gawd' he must have been thinking,' I should have kept quiet about that gear'.
He went across to the Customs man who was finding it increasingly difficult to keep a straight face. 'I've come to question you about contraband' or words to that effect, said he. Then he burst out laughing took off his cap and hey presto! It was Kev McMahon, who had borrowed his brother's ( a genuine customs man )uniform.
I bet 'Reds and Greens' were interesting for Kev after that!
Lighting operators - great guys and girls - a bit like hairy old Flt Engineers, you upset them at your peril!
Join Date: Jun 2000
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Great story Brian,
Hairy old flight engineers eh? I like it!
Hope retirement is treating you well and keeping you busy. You are not missing much...
Cheers
A/t
Hairy old flight engineers eh? I like it!
Hope retirement is treating you well and keeping you busy. You are not missing much...
Cheers
A/t
Join Date: May 2003
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I seem to remember that most 2nd halves (I usually did about 2 a year you will recall!), I had to do my own lights because you were snoring in your sleeping bag on the VCR floor Chevy........
Happy days, except when (frequently) I blew the lights up and had to wake you anyway eh?
Jezza.
Happy days, except when (frequently) I blew the lights up and had to wake you anyway eh?
Jezza.
Join Date: Dec 2009
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Hi Jez
<< I had to do my own lights because you were snoring in your sleeping bag on the VCR floor>>
Why have a Rottweiler and bark yourself?
You wouldn't believe the effort I put in over the years into designing a combined Panel/fold-up bed....... or maybe you would......
<< I had to do my own lights because you were snoring in your sleeping bag on the VCR floor>>
Why have a Rottweiler and bark yourself?
You wouldn't believe the effort I put in over the years into designing a combined Panel/fold-up bed....... or maybe you would......
Join Date: Oct 2000
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Loved that Jezz... In the days when there were TWO ATCOs in the tower at night, we were messing with the lights writing "XOX" on the inner and outer taxiways. Brian Buckingham (RIP) was the lighting op and he pressed a switch and reduced the airfield to total blackness to frighten us to death. Seconds later approach warned in a Vanguard at 10 miles and Brian couldn't get the lights on again. Some fairly frantic phone calls and hands flashing around like lightning restored the lights as the Guardsvan passed the marker!! Happy days...
