Definition of 'Fast Moving'
 

Flying a Islander I was warned by the ATSU providing a RIS of 'fast moving' traffic etc. It was a pair of Canberras which I estimated at around 200 kts. Obviously a bit faster than I was doing in the Islander but lead me to wonder. Is there a diffinitive speed for issuing a 'fast moving' advisory or is it relative to the respective aircraft. (Presumably the same applies to 'Slow Moving'?

No definitions that I'm aware of. A controller often has no way of determining the groundspeed of a target so it's usually a subjective judgement to give the pilot being told about the traffic an ideaof whether to look out for military jet or a microlight.

At the sort of altitudes Islanders operate at I would say anything over about 180 knots is fast moving.

Spitoon The afterglow, or track history, on the radar gives a pretty good idea of the speed; also most modern systems will also display ground speed.

edited for spelling errors

Ok, maybe I should have said that controllers often have no way to accurately determine the groundspeed of an aircraft from the radar.

The target trail can give an indication of speed but can also be misleading (and if you're relying on radar data only, even the g/s readout can be misleading with some manoeuvres). Depending on the type of processing and display the controller can sometimes also make an educated guess at the type of aircraft from the 'strength' of the return.

spitoon

sorry wrong again... the actual ground spped of a squawking radar contact is just a "right click" away.... air speed is another matter though?

To me, "fast moving" tends to mean significantly faster than you". In a Canberra it'd need to be fighter speed, but in a C172 it could easily be a Canberra... it's all relative.... much like "slow moving"

TWO Canberras as the same time - thats quite rare nowadays! Was over at Marham the other day and had a tour of the Canberra hangar - two grounded, one poorly and two flying in the UK and some off taking photos!!

Not necessarily. Had Jump Complete been flying his Islander in Scotland and receiving a RIS from ScACC, the controller would not have that facility.

Still, only a few years till the new place opens...

Significantly faster than you, we often get enough information from the aircrafts behaviour and SSR code to make an educated guess,

ie if it's being a bloody nuisance, there's a good chance it's an F15.

Pierre, I'm really not into point scoring between ATC units. If you take the trouble to visit a few other units you might be surprised to find that not everyone has a 'click' or speed vector facility.

Getting back to the main point. The controller concerned obviously had a bit of nouse about him and called "fast moving" to get your attention (Which he obviously did) as the conflictor was obviously not another C152 or Islander and was likely to "spong" you at short notice.

:ok:

Whatever happened to professionalism?

There are presently some three threads on these forums where controllers are having a go at each other (I know, I've done it myself in the past)
"My system is better/worse than yours" is not the way forward, particularly as in another thread there are complaints about the travel perks, or rather lack of them, available to control staff

Lon More,
here before Pontius was a Pilot or Mortus a Rigger,and now very happy to be out of it

Maybe just nowadays say: "Two Canberras" (would get some attention!). Many years ago RAF "fast movers" would only say (ex.): Twin engine jet.

Back in the old days:
Twin jet = Canberra or Dominie (c/s gave a clue)
Single jet = Lightning
Twin prop = Viking
multi-engine = Belfast (low level) or Brittannia (above FL 60)

I thowt a lightning had 2 engines

Yes the Lightning has two engines, and was sometimes referred to as a 'Vertical Twin Jet', due to its fairly unique engine configuration. Definitely "fast moving traffic", though, sadly, unlikely to be seen flying other than in South African skies. ;)

Twin= Also Phantom, Buccaneer, Jaguar, Tornado.
(I'm getting old ;))

Is there a definitive speed for the reactions required to avoid something moving fast? :D

I always believed the description fast moving was used to imply that if it is heading for you then you better be fast moving out of the way. If it isn't yet heading towards you if soon could be could be.

:)

Regards

DFC

New fangled things; they'll be inventing a replacement for fabric covered wings one day.:rolleyes:

vertical twin jet... military eight jet... I just love it when people thing they are hiding something from you... what else could we have? Double rotary, Supersonic passenger carrier (anyone?)

... and also apologise to all those impoverished ATCOs out there whose employers can't/won't afford 21st century equipment... to think we thought ours was the worst and we were lagging behind on the technology stakes. You'll be telling me you still use chinagraphs next!!!!

Sorry I digress

I only use a chinagraph for marking the advisory heights for SRAs on the face of the radar tube these days. I have these hi-tech strip things for keeping track of callsigns and stuff.

Thank heaven for progress.