Robin Hood Airspace needed?
Thread Starter
Joined: Nov 2000
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From: uk
Robin Hood Airspace needed?
Just been looking at the Doncaster Robin Hood arrivals and departures board for the last few days and it is rather quiet. Today there is only one arrival and departure in day light hours plus 3 after 8pm. Can anyone remembers what their initial airspace grab claimed they were doing and expected to do in 2012?
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 326
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From: UK
No idea but I can say that I have flown over and into Doncaster, Gamston and Sandtoft a few times over the last couple of years and the controllers have been nothing but helpful, cooperative and welcoming so if the airport owners keep funding the infrastructure what's the problem? The only slight complaint I have about Doncaster is the compulsory handling for small aircraft but even there Signature are very helpful and their pricing is sympathetic to light aircraft on genuine leisure flights.
Between Doncaster and East Midlands, if I go high enough I can get from Halton to Yorkshire with a big chunk of the trip safely in class D which I like a lot.
Between Doncaster and East Midlands, if I go high enough I can get from Halton to Yorkshire with a big chunk of the trip safely in class D which I like a lot.
Joined: Apr 2009
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From: Herts.
Originally Posted by JOE-FBS
the controllers have been nothing but helpful, cooperative and welcoming
Avoid imitations
Joined: Nov 2000
Aviation Qualifications: ATPL
Posts: 15,115
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From: Wandering the FIR and cyberspace often at highly unsociable times
I third that. Doncaster Liverpool, sorry Sheffield Robin Hood (!), controllers are always very helpful.
All it takes is a radio call.
All it takes is a radio call.
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 3,113
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From: 23, Railway Cuttings, East Cheam
It's next to me and I've never been refused a transit. Always helpful. Mind you I agree with the OP, Humberside manages quite well without class D, with the amount of movements Doncaster has I don't really see why they need it.
Joined: Dec 2011
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From: Wales
Humberside manages quite well without class D
Doncasters passenger figures remain significantly better than HUYs, despite the lack of movements in the Socialist Republic and depending upon the day of the week, that's what the CAA take into account.
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 28
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From: Yorkshire
I use Doncaster and Humberside for service quite a lot and they have always been very helpful and easy to talk to.
On one occasion when in a rented PA28 (outside class D), I had a 'non transponding' transponder (if you know what I mean). I had asked Doncaster and Humberside (my route meant that I changed from one to the other) a couple of times after recycling if they were receiving my squawk, both replied 'negative'. A new guy came on shift at Humberside and when I asked for a third time he stated that he hadn't seen a squawk from the aircraft I was flying for quite a few days. When I landed, I checked the tech log and found I had missed the comment that the transponder was US.
You can't beat a charming personalised local service like that!
I do think that the class D has a slight psychological negative affect though, which is probably down to my lack of experience.
On one occasion when in a rented PA28 (outside class D), I had a 'non transponding' transponder (if you know what I mean). I had asked Doncaster and Humberside (my route meant that I changed from one to the other) a couple of times after recycling if they were receiving my squawk, both replied 'negative'. A new guy came on shift at Humberside and when I asked for a third time he stated that he hadn't seen a squawk from the aircraft I was flying for quite a few days. When I landed, I checked the tech log and found I had missed the comment that the transponder was US.
You can't beat a charming personalised local service like that!
I do think that the class D has a slight psychological negative affect though, which is probably down to my lack of experience.
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 10,804
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To be honest if they are giving transits and are giving a good service there isn't really a problem having class D.
The only time there is a problem is when they don't have enough resources to service the airspace and it remains empty for no reason.
The only time there is a problem is when they don't have enough resources to service the airspace and it remains empty for no reason.
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 557
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From: Up North
As the CAA and other government agencies are all scrambling to find ways to generate extra income, the ideal way to ensure CAS is actually required is to charge for it. If the controlling authority/airport had to pay per cubic metre, per day for their exclusive control of a bit of sky, we'd soon see which was actually needed.
