UK Fog
 

So how did the RAF's fleet of modern transport aircraft cope with the weather over the last couple of days? I am sure the aircraft are capable of operating to CATIIIc standard, but did we have crews trained and airport facilities able to operate to this standard?

I think FIDO was scrapped in the last SDSR. :(

I'm not sure any operators are authorised for CATIIIC operations as some visibility is required to safely taxi.

The Voyager is capable of CATIII, but Brize only has a CATI installation (which according to the NOTAMS is offline).

The FIDO tanks were still at Marham in the 1970s and provided an excellent radar marker for the end of runway 24. A big help for the nav radar when doing an internal aids approach on the H2S. Long gone now, though.

Back in the nineties, I was operating the Fokker 100 with Cat 3b. We had a limitation of 75m RVR and no decision height. It's very rare that it gets as bad as that, although I remember one occasion when all I could see of the aircraft on the next stand was a faint green glow from the nav light.

Awesome planning.

I don't know of any UK airline certified to cat 3C, haltonapp but many are Cat 3B capable. This is no decision height, 75 m. RVR . There is no requirement to achieve visual reference on touchdown, the 75 m requirement really exists to clear the runway and taxi. Voyager certainly comes with the hardware for this. Whether crews are trained and ground installations kept to this standard I couldn't say.

Is it true that that most fog events start along the Thames in the vicinity of the Parliament? I know a similar almost continual phenomena occurs on Capital Hill in DC. Of course the Speaker considers it proof of the presence of the Almighty.

Back in the 60s, at 250' break-off height, pilots used to say "KEEP TALKING" in an assertive manner.

So we did. All the way.

I don't suppose they're allowed to do that now.

Oh what fun we had when the fog came down.

Prepare the aircraft for flight, 'Because the fog will be clearing in an hour...'

And an hour later, "The fog will be clearing in an hour".

All day, and the next, and the one after that...

glad rag: the ILS at Brize is currently out of service due to the construction of the A400M hanger adjacent to the runway near the 25 threshold. The cranes being used for assembly intrude into the ILS domain so it will be out of use until around Jan. PAR is available on R07 but otherwise it's a choice of TAC or NDB only. Still, it's only winter so what could go wrong?

Voyager only Cat 3 capable if you remove the pods and FRU.

Many years ago an RAF Tristar lobbed into Edinburgh. Being ex-RAF and having nothing better to do I ambled across, introduced myself and asked for a look around. Going into the cockpit I showed off my new found knowledge of Autopilots by recognising the Para-visual display barber poles. “Oh” said I “PVD’s, your aircraft must be Cat IIIB capable.” “Yes” said the Captain “but the RAF only qualify us (the crew) to Cat II conditions so we don’t get poached by the Airlines.” I wonder if that is why they also made VC10 captains Squadron Leaders? :E I was also told that Aircraft can be Cat IIIC capable but it is of little use as, if the conditions are that bad it is needed, the baggage handlers, refuellers and all those who meet the aircraft on stand will only find it by bumping into it!

Pedant mode on.
It is Cat I, II or III, capital I's. Not Cat 1, 2, 3 and certainly not 'Cat 111' as I saw in one travel agency window many years ago.
Pedant mode off.

Only two visits to BZZ:
First visit, anteroom full of best blues. Belslow landed on the A4095.
Second visit, anteroom full of best blues, Trishaw autoland, not.

I have to say the IIIb autoland on the Fokker 100 was awesome. Basically, provided you had the 75m RVR at 1,000', both pilots could die and the aircraft would happily come to a halt on the runway centreline.

PAR is available on R07 - Ken Scott

Surely ARK ROYAL is now razor blades!:uhoh:

Jack

QUOTE:

Oh what fun we had when the fog came down.
Prepare the aircraft for flight, 'Because the fog will be clearing in an hour...'
And an hour later, "The fog will be clearing in an hour".
All day, and the next, and the one after that...

An optimistic Met Man? ............... NAHHH!!!! story totally unbelievable, should be moderated!!!!!

Seem to remember the captain eventually retired as a two-star, so it obviously didn't harm his career ;)