School of Air Operations Control
Anyhow, back on thread....
The new Branch does stand up nest year and is an amalgamation of FC, ATC and Flt Ops.
The idea is good, really good.
The execution however, is dismal. Minimum planning, very little detail and a ridiculous timetable.
Unfortunately, too many ego's on the line to extend it into a realistic timescale so it will be another clusterf**k that will take years to sort out.
I cannot believe how many major projects are being run simultaneously with what looks like very little communication between them. All for an Air Force that would fit comfortably into a Championship football ground.
Still, you recruit and promote 'Managers', that's what you get.
The new Branch does stand up nest year and is an amalgamation of FC, ATC and Flt Ops.
The idea is good, really good.
The execution however, is dismal. Minimum planning, very little detail and a ridiculous timetable.
Unfortunately, too many ego's on the line to extend it into a realistic timescale so it will be another clusterf**k that will take years to sort out.
I cannot believe how many major projects are being run simultaneously with what looks like very little communication between them. All for an Air Force that would fit comfortably into a Championship football ground.
Still, you recruit and promote 'Managers', that's what you get.
A good excuse to 'wheel out' one of my favourite photos, courtesy of the Royal Naval ND Association
To better train the Direction Officers in the practical skills of interception, a Fighter Direction Training Centre (FDTC) was established at the Naval Air Station at Yeovilton in 1941. Operational activities at Yeovilton forced the FDTC shortly afterwards to move to nearby Speckington Hall. Due to the shortage of both radar and aircraft with which to practise, a heavy reliance was placed upon teaching the principles, and included the use of Walls ice cream tricycles, one being an "enemy aircraft" and another being a "friendly fighter". The Direction Officer could see both "aircraft" and would pass the necessary directions for the "fighter" to close and intercept the "enemy".
those that manage perfectly well on QNH now e.g. the USAF?
The USAF managing perfectly well on QNH?
[Previous Incorrect image removed - It has been pointed out that the post-crash image that I used may not be an F-16 and it may not therefore be involved in the same incident as the ejection. This replacement image is I believe correct although of poor quality.]
As I recall the cause was an arithmetic failure relating to altimeter QNH vs airfield height miscalculation for or during a display. Pilot error - again as I recall. Anyone who wants to look it up could search for [F-16 thunderbirds crash].
Video with commentary added later-
Last edited by jimjim1; 2nd Apr 2018 at 15:05. Reason: Updating image.
I confess that I did not thoroughly check the second image, I looked it up on t'internet and accepted the result. For sure the first one really is the Thunderbirds F-16 crash due to running out of altitude. I have replaced the second image with one that is I believe correct.
The point still stands, that they use QNH and rely on calculations to avoid the ground during displays. In at least one case that did not work out so well.
I may get round to updating the post.
The point still stands, that they use QNH and rely on calculations to avoid the ground during displays. In at least one case that did not work out so well.
I may get round to updating the post.
Last edited by jimjim1; 12th Apr 2017 at 01:46.
I seem to remember that the RAF went across to QNH at all airfields at some time in the 80s(?).
This was not a problem for the heavy aircraft as the crews were used to QNH worldwide ops.
However after pressure from the FJ and Pilot Training communities the decision was reversed after
a couple of months, and it was back to QFE. Places like Brize used both if IIRC with the mix of civvy and FJ
visitors.
This was not a problem for the heavy aircraft as the crews were used to QNH worldwide ops.
However after pressure from the FJ and Pilot Training communities the decision was reversed after
a couple of months, and it was back to QFE. Places like Brize used both if IIRC with the mix of civvy and FJ
visitors.
TT
It was the 90s. Brize uses QNH now as standard-has done for sometime. I still don't see why if the vast majority has moved to QNH why the RAF has not moved with the times. I wait to be corrected but I doubt the FJ fraternity used QFE at say Kandahar.
It was the 90s. Brize uses QNH now as standard-has done for sometime. I still don't see why if the vast majority has moved to QNH why the RAF has not moved with the times. I wait to be corrected but I doubt the FJ fraternity used QFE at say Kandahar.
