NZ ATC
 

Lookin at todays weather & noticed this. .. .(B0702/02 NOTAMN. .A) NZ3/NZ4/NZ5/NZ6 NOTAM AREAS. .B) 0203032230. .C) 0203040600. .E) DELAY MAY BE EXPERIENCED WI OHAKEA UTA/C AND TMA/C DUE STAFF. . SICKNESS). .. .Now this isn't the first time I've seen this & do they really operate with such the bear minimun where if one or two ( guess) are sick they start running short, I operate around there a bit & if I was delayed / told to come back later because of this Airways would have a nice letter coming there way <img border="0" title="" alt="[Mad]" src="mad.gif" />

When will Airways Corporation realise they are there to provide a service? They're the first to 'up the cost' of flying in airspace, but by the same token very reluctant to provide a service of a standard that is required for efficient air traffic coordination and safety. . .. .And another thing that bugs me whilst were talking Airways and co, tower controllers who get angry or agitated at student pilots. We cope with new controllers in the towers, please extend the same courtesy to new pilots. I have heard first hand some very unprofessional attitudes lately. If you persist in getting agitated, I'll keep bringing students your way until you learn to get over it.. .. .Kermie <img border="0" title="" alt="[Mad]" src="mad.gif" />

Pretty standard nowadays I thought Blue. With Airways restructuring and relocating there aren't too many locations that Radar controllers can go and I bet OHAKEA is not at the top of the list. . .. .Not sure wether their contract negotiation is still on but have known the same/similar Notams being issued due to "sick outs".. .. .Union trying to get more staff with better pay to attract these new staff so that exisitng staff don't go "sick" due stress and create the aforementioned situation. . .. .Sometimes the NOTAMS include "...IFR training may not be avialable and no VFR operations permitted within XXX TMA/UTA".. .. .BTW saw your post re: Excel spreadsheet. Mine is only for my logbook. We have a spreadsheet at work for flight/duty/night/IF currency which works ok.. .. .Still going to WOW02?. .. .S2K. .. .Disclaimer: The above posted opinion of S2K is excatly that, an opinion of S2K. I am in no way directly invlolved with Airways and could be completely incorrect, but that is the nature of a rumour network. If you know of the actual situation, please feel free to correct me. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="wink.gif" />

S2K - Yes I will, one way or the other I'll be there. .. .Kermie - I agree with you, we put up with new guys, but yet when its the other way around there is no patience

Chaps, for the record we don't do sick outs. . .. .For general info, we have settled our contract negotiations, came up with a 3 year deal with modest payrises, but some improved conditions with respect to promotion etc. There are occasions, as there are in any industry, where there are just too many people sick for the system to cope. Airways have generally been pretty windy about issuing notams laying the blame at the feet of "staff sickness". They got pretty sensitive about it during contract negotiations, so much so that the local manager had to approve the use of the words "due staff sickness" . .. .As far as grumpy TWR controllers go, I agree with you, no excuse (No I am not one) one of the best ways to introduce students to the vagaries of ATC is to have them visit the tower and see what is going on. Meeting the controller face to face often makes it easier for the student to come to grips with the rtf work when they know who is on the other end. . .. .While I am here, do you guys have any comment on AA ATC?. .. .C

That is pretty much a permanent NOTAM in YPDN (RAAF).. .. ."Due to ATC staff shortages..........."

That's because most of them went to places like NZ. . .Heard it is going to get worse before it gets better. Good Luck JP

Yeah, I have a comment for the AA ATC.... .. .Thanks for putting up with the C206 doing 'random manerourves' over the central city.. We've appreciated the help we have been getting from Auckland Control... we understand that it's a pretty busy TMA.... <img border="0" title="" alt="[Cool]" src="cool.gif" /> . .. .BTW, we'll be back.... <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="biggrin.gif" />