LCY Remote Tower
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 441
Likes: 0
From: Rapunzel's tower
Three of the four were part of the same Flying Training School (Dishforth was the odd one out, being Army Air Corps), so similar rules and procedures with only the aerodrome layout and SIDs/STARs being different. Plenty of commonality and a lot of military latitude with regards to runway occupancy (landing same speed or slower aircraft behind aircraft already touched down/just airborne) applied across all three.
As in my original post, the types were limited to what the School operated but Linton would get a more diverse clientele (the Harrier OCU would do its final exercise based out of there, which made things interesting). In most cases the big differences were limited to the rwy hdgs and the immediate surroundings.
As in my original post, the types were limited to what the School operated but Linton would get a more diverse clientele (the Harrier OCU would do its final exercise based out of there, which made things interesting). In most cases the big differences were limited to the rwy hdgs and the immediate surroundings.
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 4,432
Likes: 33
From: LHR/EGLL
Starlord, we do.
But what does it give me? How is it safer? A pair of aircraft heading away from me, I can't tell if they are getting closer to each other, I can't tell if they are getting further apart (until one of them turns). I get a better idea of that from my radar, with Mode S airspeed, groundspeed, Mode C altitude.
I look at them out of the window because I have to. I look at them on the radar to see their relative positions and speed, which surely is the safety critical thing.
That's what I mean by outdated.
RSVA developed as a concept when control towers had no surveillance capability.
But what does it give me? How is it safer? A pair of aircraft heading away from me, I can't tell if they are getting closer to each other, I can't tell if they are getting further apart (until one of them turns). I get a better idea of that from my radar, with Mode S airspeed, groundspeed, Mode C altitude.
I look at them out of the window because I have to. I look at them on the radar to see their relative positions and speed, which surely is the safety critical thing.
That's what I mean by outdated.
RSVA developed as a concept when control towers had no surveillance capability.
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 395
Likes: 3
From: On a foreign shore trying a new wine diet. So far, I've lost 3days!
Being an old fashioned, retired bod who reads about these "new innovations" with a fairly open mind, I'm having a little trouble seeing how the remote operation of LCY brings any benefits.
You still have to have a controller, presumably controlling, albeit now from a dark windowless room, (that should make up for all those brilliantly dazzling sunrises and sunsets) on the sunny south coast. Whilst up at LCY all the "skills" that were inherent in said controller now have to be supplemented by lots of CCTVs with infra-red capabilities or whatever and at what cost? Oh, did anyone mention cleaning said CCTV lenses when they fog up or get crap on them at just the wrong moment?
Not one to stand in the way of progress, but where is the cost saving, if this is what it's all about? Where's the job satisfaction? Sounds to me like another idea pinched from an under-utilised airport in Northern Norway that some poor misguided management "yoof" decided he would use to make his mark on his steady progression to the top.
Thankfully, I'm now well retired (not before time, I hear some shout) but I do miss those beautiful sunrises and sunsets and the bonhommie, not to mention the professional respect, engendered by a wave or thumbs up after a "greaser" or a well executed cross-wind landing at the limits, or that not so good bouncer.
I can't say I envy the "new" tower controllers at LCY Swanwick. They will miss out on what were some of the most enjoyable experiences of my time in ATC.
Think carefully about what you consider to be progress and be sure your UPS works!
You still have to have a controller, presumably controlling, albeit now from a dark windowless room, (that should make up for all those brilliantly dazzling sunrises and sunsets) on the sunny south coast. Whilst up at LCY all the "skills" that were inherent in said controller now have to be supplemented by lots of CCTVs with infra-red capabilities or whatever and at what cost? Oh, did anyone mention cleaning said CCTV lenses when they fog up or get crap on them at just the wrong moment?
Not one to stand in the way of progress, but where is the cost saving, if this is what it's all about? Where's the job satisfaction? Sounds to me like another idea pinched from an under-utilised airport in Northern Norway that some poor misguided management "yoof" decided he would use to make his mark on his steady progression to the top.
Thankfully, I'm now well retired (not before time, I hear some shout) but I do miss those beautiful sunrises and sunsets and the bonhommie, not to mention the professional respect, engendered by a wave or thumbs up after a "greaser" or a well executed cross-wind landing at the limits, or that not so good bouncer.
I can't say I envy the "new" tower controllers at LCY Swanwick. They will miss out on what were some of the most enjoyable experiences of my time in ATC.
Think carefully about what you consider to be progress and be sure your UPS works!
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 4,432
Likes: 33
From: LHR/EGLL
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 55
Likes: 0
From: London
Makes me think that they're building this all on some very weak foundations... I fail to see, after much perusal, the benefits of the remote towers. I'm always open to new ideas or procedures, and am often one to 'go with the flow' as my other half says but I don't buy it. Recently on a visit to a unit on the other side of the country I saw the R-TWR in operation, only to see the derrière of a bird blocking one of the cameras!! Just another mantra adopted by a new hot-shot in HR if you ask me..
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 2,003
Likes: 0
From: The foot of Mt. Belzoni.
If control towers are 'a thing of the past', why have they put one on 'HMS Queen Elizabeth' then? Surely a digital VCR would would have the edge here?
Oh, and some planes would be handy, too.
Oh, and some planes would be handy, too.
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 477
Likes: 0
From: East Midlands
Whilst up at LCY all the "skills" that were inherent in said controller now have to be supplemented by lots of CCTVs with infra-red capabilities
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 6,173
Likes: 0
From: London (Babylon-on-Thames)
http://bit.ly/2zrdVt6
NATS tied in for a decade at LCY.
Typical PR fluff but it says they ARE building a new tower after all, if so, why on Earth use digital tech on a level for which it was never intended?
NATS tied in for a decade at LCY.
Typical PR fluff but it says they ARE building a new tower after all, if so, why on Earth use digital tech on a level for which it was never intended?
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 562
Likes: 0
From: Home away from home
I think that's a bit of an unfortunate wording.
From what I understand the new tower is not a control tower in the old fashioned sense, it is a tower to mount the cameras on. I would guess it has more in common with a phone mast or an electricity pylon than an old fashioned tower cab.
From what I understand the new tower is not a control tower in the old fashioned sense, it is a tower to mount the cameras on. I would guess it has more in common with a phone mast or an electricity pylon than an old fashioned tower cab.