Latest News from EGBE . . . . :-( A Note from their SATCO

Dear All, Unfortunately due to staff shortages it has become necessary to accelerate the downgrading of ATC services at Coventry.
The original plan was to change to AFISO at around the end of October 2017, having continued with the ADV service up to that date but, due to sickness and further staff reductions, it will be necessary to introduce an Air Ground service in the interim. It is likely the change will occur at some date next week after the 19th of July . It will be NOTAMed
I would be grateful if you could pass this information on to your regular operators so the changeover does not cause unnecessary surprises in the future.

That's very sad news. Cov has / had some of the best, helpful and friendly controlers one could wish for.

I do hope this a temporary problem and that they can recruit more controllers.

Thanks, CVT ATCO's you have done excellent work in the past. best wishes to you all.


coldair

I would echo Coldair's sentiments. I went to Coventry ATC after leaving the totally protected environment of Jersey ( Class A airspace) in 2007. It was very much an "eye opening experience" ! What I found was a bunch of very hard working & highly capable ATCOS trying their utmost to deal with the complete confusion that is busy Class G airspace; & dealing with it in a highly professional & effective manner. I take my hat off to them, in particular, & to all the other ATCOS who do not enjoy the protection of Class A. They all do a wonderful job & are, in my opinion, the "Superstars " of U.K. ATC.
I sincerely hope that what has happened at Coventry in recent years has not caused the ATC staff there too many problems; & that they have found the alternative employment which they all thoroughly deserve.

Not always.
About 12 years ago I had a bizjet positioning Farnborough - Coventry. It was after 8pm so most other radar units were closed; I elected to hand it straight to Coventry rather than give the crew extra frequency changes.
When I phoned Coventry for a radar handover I was given the rather abrupt reply 'I'm not doing radar at the moment but if you put it over to my frequency, I might go downstairs and look at radar if I feel like it'.
I sincerely hope this was a 'one off' and did not represent the general attitude of Coventry controllers.

Reports they are closed completely today with no-one answering RTF calls.

Buster.... not much time for EGs there then!

I wonder if FISO will happen in October?

Are West Atlantic completely moving to EGNX?

Buster keep up mate . . . It's FISO already (when open) all the ATCOs have left / leaving.

NOTAM

Q) EGTT/QSTXX/IV/NBO /A /000/999/5222N00129W
A) EGBE
B) 17/07/21 12:00 C) 17/08/20 12:00
E) NO ATC SERVICE AVAILABLE. COVENTRY APP/RAD/TWR/GND WITHDRAWN AND REPLACED BY AIR GROUND COMMUNICATIONS SERVICE ON 123.825 MHZ, CALLSIGN 'COVENTRY RADIO'. ATIS STATING THAT 'ONLY AN AIR GROUND COMMUNICATIONS SERVICE IS AVAILABLE ON 123.825, CALLSIGN 'COVENTRY RADIO'. NO AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL SERVICE AVAILABLE. ALL INSTRUMENT APPROACH PROCEDURES ARE WITHDRAWN' WILL BE BROADCAST FOR 30 DAYS.

No, as per the NOTAM, Coventry has reverted to A/G service, not AFIS.

BLIMEY! FISO already!

I was sure it was A/G until they could recruit. I do need to 'keep up'!

FISOs provide AFIS.
AFIS is an ATS.
AFIS is not A/G.
A/G is not AFIS.
A/G is not an ATS.

So Coventry is A/G...then...

talkdownman , Correct.

Yep - soz guys my bad for the bum steer. But still using the conspicuity squawks for the time being!!!

Fred

Does Coventry A/G pass the Coventry conspicuity codes on behalf of Birmingham ATC?

Presently retaining the two Coventry conspicuity squawks as an aid for BB however only one being used as A/G does not provide a service for overflights.