Coventry - Reduced to Air to Ground
 

Not mentioned previously but thoughts to our colleagues at Coventry on the announcement that the Aerodrome is reducing to a GA centric aerodrome with Air-to Ground only and RFFS Cat 1 or 2.

Sorry for the staff in the Twr; but at least it's happened at a time of ATCO shortage.

Thoughts to all affected.

Will the navaids be remaining?

I was surprised recently to hear someone call on 123.825 only for another pilot to advise that ATC was closed for the time being.

Current NOTAM for Coventry indicates Aerodrome Control Service (TWR) only until end of June, definitely not Air/Ground. However, if ATCO manning such a problem, maybe the writing is on the wall?

Sad news. Good luck to the ATC staff.

ATCO Fred

In reply to your post that you have appeared to have removed, not SRATCOH breaks causing a temporary reduction in service, according to NOTAM C2930/17:

A) EGBE B) FROM: 17/06/14 07:00C) TO: 17/06/30 16:00
E) COVENTRY AD CONTROL ONLY AVBL. NO APPROACH OR RADAR SER, INSTRUMENT APPROACHES UNAVAILABLE

With an ADV service you need a minimum of 2 controllers unless you do 2 hours ADV followed by 30 min A/G; with A/G only you need someone to monitor the radio and answer it when necessary but the controller on his mandatory 30 min rest break would not be allowed to do it as this break is conditional on not performing any ATS or A/G related activity.
Any reduction from the services notified in the AIP would have to negotiated with and approved by the CAA and they don't normally approve a 'mix' of services every day.

So the title and the opening post are completely duff gen then.

2 s

2 s

Would appear so. Time for all of us to close the watch!

Not Duff Gen
 

Not Duff gen at all gents. . . .instrument procedures to go as well . . . .

see attached!

TCAS Fan . . . I was referring as to what is going to happen not what is happening at the moment Doh !!

ATCO Fred
Your OP said that the service was changing to A/G. The announcement that you have now attached specifies AFIS.
You implied "RIP all the ATCOs" - and yet the obvious source of AFISOs would be the existing ATCOs.
2 s

????? Implied nothing just reported that the Aerodrome was moving to a non radar, non aerodrome control service. Quite where your "RIP all the ATCOs" comes from is your own reading between the lines. AFIS - A to G or FISO service is all somewhat irrelevant. A fully rated ADI APS ATCO is not going to work on as a FISO; thus the reason they can't sustain a service at the moment the ATCOs are leaving for other jobs.

It's been obvious that this has been coming for some time; full Radar ANSP is an expensive commodity that a GA centric aerodrome cannot sustain.

And 2s - mate you need to get less abrasive :-)

Fred

Even those ATCOs with a valid ADV/ADI rating would need to hold a FISO Licence and undergo training to validate it. A person with the valid ratings would not need to take the FISO exams, they can just apply for the licence and pay the money.
In all probability the MER would be reduced to 20 hours instead of 40, however only 4 hours training per day is allowed so it would take a minimum of 5 days before the first FISO was valid assuming the CAA allow one person a 'greefield' validation.

As ATCO Fred has already said, you are off your rocker if you think simply the existing ATCOs will become AFISOs? Lose all their ratings and probably lose at least 50% salary? What a ridiculous comment, especially given all the current vacancies up and down the UK and further afield. :=:confused::confused::ugh:

I wonder if the Coventry Marconi S511 radar will come on the market...

You can't have it, it would be too heavy to go on the roof and in any case the CAA would need so much paperwork before they approve it.

Planning on working from home M?

I'd never get planning permission for the erection...

Hohoho............

Sad news, Cov was my first validation after leaving the Great Satan back in 95. Good bunch of people, many of whom have gone on to better and bigger units. I hear it's being kept in the same ownership for now. Might be a job coming up in the south west soon, if any of the Cov lads fancy a seaside gig.

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.