:ok: Looks like all the Heathrow staff have done a great job, ATCOs, Assistants, Engineers, Ops, Training and transition etc. You should all be rightly proud of a major achievement that has been virtually invisible to the customer in terms of delay. Perhaps NATS' Airports greatest achievement so far?;)

I've been working on LHR approach every day so far since the new tower opened, on various shifts, and have not had to issue a single EAT. Indeed delays have rarely reached 15 mins whilst I've been there. Something like 48 or 49 went down the approach one hour yesterday, you don't get that with increased spacing.

Have I missed something?

If you want to see what it looks like then you can see my photos on www.halophoto.co.uk (this is not an advertisement or anything like that). NATS approval has been given for me to upload the photos to my site....

Would love to hear comments/thoughts/points of technique

Kind Regards

Great Photos Halo, so at the end there we see the Air controllers up high what positions are those below them then , who sits where ?

EAT's... just a bad morning.. this afternoon.... no problem.

i imagine some big wigs somewhere, wearing suits and patting eachother on the back with a job well done... no doubt getting a big fat bonus in due course.

well done guys... and no, not you on suits who dont even know the difference between one aircraft to the next and visit a unit once in a blue moon trying to blend with us mere operational types

w

throw a dyce

Well then more fool them. I don't think that in any way means that LHR staff should have got nothing.

2miles600feet

Bad week at the office old bean?;)

P7

P.S. The en-route holding today was not down to the transition but due to the fact that a runway was closed for 45mins.

Nice photos Mark!

BTW, I like them big flat screens you guys have got there for EFPS/EXCDS as seen in the second to last photo ("The expanse that is Heathrow Airport.........."). Better than the crappy ones we have here.

Great pictures Halo!

Great Photos Halo, so at the end there we see the Air controllers up high what positions are those below them then , who sits where ?

2 Air controllers up top, 2 ground controllers a little lower down with delivery too. There's a GMC3 position yet to open and a spare desk. Also supervisors desk.

Point 5,

Remember the other positions!

Just out of interest, does anyone know if there have been any further proposals as to the future use of the old VCR? I had heard rumours that it may serve the purpose as a possible viewing platform for spectators, however in the security consious world we live in today I wouldnt like to put a bet on it.

I might be wrong but the old Control Tower building may well have a preservation order on it i.e- it is a listed building. Not the most aesthetically pleasing of buildings from the external I know but im sure it has served its purpose over the last 50+ years exceptionally well. It would be a shame to see it demolished as its really part of the Heathrow scenery. Long may it stay as a reminder of its former glory!

Last I heard the old tower (once everyone else was out of it) was to be used for sorely needed office space by BAA, who own the new tower.

BD

Will the future GMC 3 cover the Terminal 5 area when it opens next year?

How has it been getting through security to get Airside, any major holdups yet?

20-25 minutes from front of terminal to vcr cab on foot :mad:

Satan needs to walk quicker me thinks :p

747-436 - The new GMC3 position may cover T5 but the whole splits need to be looked at as the workload is mostly greater on GMC2. However line of sight needs to be taken into account as GMC2 no longer can see one of the main handover points and now has a video camera to see that.

Security wise depending on route taken there has been little hold ups (often only 2 people in front of me) when you use the staff route via baggage hall/customs. The main staff entrance via the departures level I have heard is much busier. On average it is about 15 minutes from car to start of the link bridge between the terminal and the NVCR. Very little advantage using the bus service time wise, but if I walk I can choose when I arrive at the airport -which I prefer.

Ref old tower - it is to be fitted with EFPS. Something we were told by the project manager was "impossible" around 2 years ago when it was suggest at an open meeting. It will serve as contingency for a few years. Beyond that when all the other sections move out who knows. But the New New VCR for Heathrow East may be up and running by then.......

.....and of course some time after that the New New New VCR for the third runway and associated satellite.

So plenty more scope for moaning and complaining about the size of the kettle in those to come!!!! :}

So LHR cares about and acknowledges the wider ATC community ?

Is that why it is consistently has the highest number (pro quota) of slot busters from any UK airport.

Of course, that won't have an effect on anyone else will it :ugh:

QWERTY,
This used to be a useful forum for airing problems and starting discussions, but idiotic posts like that just highlight how little some people have to offer to any debate. You might be surprised to hear that some of us HAVE worked at other units, DO appreciate other aspects of ATC operations and have been on the other end of slot busting.
I worked at LATCC from 90-93 and I have to say I have never worked at such a bitter and twisted place, Heathrow was a breath of fresh air in comparison and from other posts I have read , continues to be. There is NO them and US attitude with ATSA staff and ATCO staff don't wonder round like they are something special, unlike certain other places...DC10REALMAN thread on ARROGANT LACC controllers highlights this.
WIND YOUR NECK IN AND STOW YOUR T@TS!

Idiotic you say, but none the less, FACT !!! So WIND YOUR OWN NECK IN !!!! :mad:

WTF has LATCC and the arguments between ATCO's + ATSA's got to do with it ?
Obviously the arrogance from your time spent at LACC has rubbed off on you !

Sorry qwerty9, have to agree with Autothrottle on this one.

Anyway back to the old vcr question, i think the top would make a great Jacuzzi.:} Might leak a bit through the windows but hey great views.

DBB

You could turn it into a "secure" observation area.

Gonzo could be the dude who works the lift :E

Oh why thank you old chap, a promotion!:ok:

Is that why it is consistently has the highest number (pro quota) of slot busters from any UK airport.

May I suggest that you come and join us at our slot busting airport... makes the job a lot easier!

Just heard from my best mate in NATS that Gary D was the first controller to talk to Aircraft from the new Tower! Good on yer mate! Well deserved and hopefully catch up soon. Congrats to all who have made the move work. The real stars of NATS! and not the beancounters!:D
Paul Luca

Gary D was indeed the first to talk to an aircraft from the new tower...shame the aircraft he spoke to was inbound from HKG and it was about 4.30am, as the pilot couldn't have sounded less bothered if he'd tried!!!!!!! Very amusing though!! :)

FB:ok:

In my local rag: -
 

and so it goes on

Out of interest, how many planes do you normally land at a time?

1 because the runways not wide enough to land 2. :}


BD

Oh I don't know, on the odd occasion some might try for two! :eek:

Entails lots of paperwork though!!!!!! :cool:

2 was the norm in the sim:E