By George. Welcome to the land of retirement and I hope you enjoy a long, happy and healthy one. I've been retired a while but we probably spoke over the years.

Take good care...

Warped Factor and SWJ..... all I can say is, didn't he do well?

HD, I don't think he did much time at the coal face. At least you and I can rest easy. Promotion isn't everything...

Mildred

Oh, how I agree Mildred!!

Who is he then? Certainly not the Fat Jock!

Brian, see here.

Though they've got his bio slightly wrong with regards his location. It was TC, not the airport.

I was Checker for the last runway inspection of 05 ( when it was used) with 09R for departures.

It went something like this
The inspection would start off on 118.7 at the threshold of 23 ( always towards landing aircraft) at Block 78 ( as was then) it was
ATC "cHecker vacate and hold short of 09R and contact 118.5"
Checker "Tower Checker holding short 09R Block 85 and short of 05."
ATC "Checker after the departing Lufty B737 on 09r and landing sabena B737 on 05 your cleared to cross 09R at block 85."
Checker above repeated.
Checker " Checker has entered 05 and crossing 09R block 85"
Checker " Checkers vacated block 85"
ATC " Roger Checker call 118.7
Checker " Tower Checkers back with you Block 90 on 05"
ATC " Thanks Checker continue "
The inspection was then completed in the normal on/off way.

This was the only time that conflicting runways were used on different ATC frequencies as when 23 was used for landing 27R was used for departures not 27L ( 27R was used for heavies that couldnt take the 1999m runway.

exciting times especially when 118.5 the departure controller gave the following instructions at the threshold.
" speedbird 999 once you see the landing aircraft on approach to 05 in your 2 o clock position start rolling and your cleared for take off !

bet that wouldnt happen now in the age of heath and safety gurus,

Oh yes... It's a long way from 09R threshold to where the runways cross and clearing one for take-off with one on final was standard procedure. I did that with a BOAC chap one day and he said: "I'd prefer to wait until the lander has passed". I replied: "That's not the one I'm worried about; it's the one 3 miles behind him!". BOAC went.....

Was there ever much light aircraft (2-8 seaters) operating from Heathrow, Birmingham and Manchester at some point in the past?

The only reference I've seen for Heathrow was the Heathrow-Gatwick service operated by Westward Airways in 1969-70 with an Islander. Towards the end loads were so light that they chartered a Piper Cherokee, presumably taking up to 3 passengers, to operate some of these flights.

Back in the 1950s there were a number of Dragon Rapide (8 passenger) operators, including one, Island Air Services, which did large numbers of sightseeing circuits from alongside the spectators enclosure. One of their aircraft was lost when it got into the wake turbulence of an arriving Straocruiser when trailing it on approach.

Ernie Raffles used to commute to Leeds every day in his Beech Baron (?) with the callsign Raffles 1.

I thought it was a Travelair. Can't for the alzheimer's of me remember the reg. Plus I thought he was Eric. Plus I thought it was Manch. PB or AC will know.

Nurse, more medicine...

Photos: Beech B55 Baron (95-B55) Aircraft Pictures | Airliners.net


This one?

Southern Duel -

Is Jan still on the team? If so say hello to her from me.....

Jan left a couple of years ago. took the money and run ..... Im jealous ! along with a few others so all new faces and voices now with no where near as much experience.

I have my own thoughts but hey what do i know !! only 20 years in Ops !!

Eric Raffles to and from Manch. seem to recall he made raincoats as sported by the then PM Harold Wilson!
You can thank him for changing phraseology. "Behind the departing xxx line up 28R" well he did and was blown over. :ouch:
Thereafter it was "After the departing"

The person in question is the person who has now moved to Swiss ATC, I know i did his board as the examiner with Bert as the SRG inspector (Chairman). He (AB) had never seen 23, it was an interesting board with lots of prompts and questions, he did very well and passed with flying colours, we both remember it to this day.

It was a Beech 95 Travelair .. G-ASZC. I recall the callsign as "Raffles Zulu Charlie".

And I thought for the last 45 years (incorrectly I've just found) that it was Edgar.

Remember walking along the River Crane near the "pundit" on the south side and seeing C-46s parked.

He must have bought another one .....

Beech 95-A55 Baron, G-AYID, Eric Raffles

Seems he did! G-ASZC till 12/69 and G-AYID from 7/70 till 9/72....G-AYID became G-WOOD later. Can't find any pics of 'SZC...that's my pic of 'YID on the way for a fry-up in the Pan-Am canteen :)