Does anyone use there services? Volmet Atis etc
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Does anyone use these services? Volmet Atis etc
I spend all my time supporting systems that are used by aviation including a few that are directly used by air crew so, after taking a deep breath, does anyone here use any of these services?
Auckland HF VOLMET
New Zealand ATIS
Kabul (Afghanistan) Flight Information
Kabul ATIS
VHF VOLMET in the Czech Republic
ATIS in the Czech Republic
ATIS in Pyongyang, North Korea
Sorry, there is a typo in the header which I dont seem to be able to change, it should read "these services?"
Auckland HF VOLMET
New Zealand ATIS
Kabul (Afghanistan) Flight Information
Kabul ATIS
VHF VOLMET in the Czech Republic
ATIS in the Czech Republic
ATIS in Pyongyang, North Korea
Sorry, there is a typo in the header which I dont seem to be able to change, it should read "these services?"
Last edited by John Hill; 15th Dec 2007 at 08:46. Reason: Typo in header
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John... at age 60 your ought to be enjoying life, mate. Wonder what you do to "support" the Pyongyang ATIS? Perhaps run a collecting box?
These facilities are used constantly by pilots. At many airfields pilots are required to confirm to ATC that they have received the ATIS broadcast to ensure that they are au fait with the latest information. Prior to the advent of ATIS, ATC had to read the weather and other information to every aircraft so it is a mega-useful service.
These facilities are used constantly by pilots. At many airfields pilots are required to confirm to ATC that they have received the ATIS broadcast to ensure that they are au fait with the latest information. Prior to the advent of ATIS, ATC had to read the weather and other information to every aircraft so it is a mega-useful service.
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At 60 I am not yet dead and if I live as long as my parents there is still a few decades left to enjoy myself.
I dont understand your comments regarding the collection box as surely you know how such things are paid for?
I was not asking about ATIS in general which you so eloquently described but the listed ones in particular.
Are you still using the Marconi system at Heathrow with John West's voice? At least I think that is his name though he would be a bit more than 60 by now and I certainly hope he is enjoying his retirement, nice gentleman, we had lunch once at the 'In Out Club", about 1982 if I recall correctly.
My interest is that I write software for such systems, and other things as well, and I am conscious that our client (usually a civil aviation authority) is never the end user and I rarely get to hear comments from them, the flight deck crew that is.
BTW, in addition to those places listed I would also like to hear from anyone who experiences ATIS and VOLMET in Pakistan or Egypt.
I dont understand your comments regarding the collection box as surely you know how such things are paid for?
I was not asking about ATIS in general which you so eloquently described but the listed ones in particular.
Are you still using the Marconi system at Heathrow with John West's voice? At least I think that is his name though he would be a bit more than 60 by now and I certainly hope he is enjoying his retirement, nice gentleman, we had lunch once at the 'In Out Club", about 1982 if I recall correctly.
My interest is that I write software for such systems, and other things as well, and I am conscious that our client (usually a civil aviation authority) is never the end user and I rarely get to hear comments from them, the flight deck crew that is.
BTW, in addition to those places listed I would also like to hear from anyone who experiences ATIS and VOLMET in Pakistan or Egypt.
PPRuNe Handmaiden
I use the ATIS in the Czech Republic and I've also used the ATIS in Cairo. I've also used the VOLMET in the Czech Republic too. I can't say any thing really stands out there. I'd hate to see them go.
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<<Are you still using the Marconi system at Heathrow with John West's voice? At least I think that is his name though he would be a bit more than 60 by now and I certainly hope he is enjoying his retirement, nice gentleman, we had lunch once at the 'In Out Club", about 1982 if I recall correctly.>>
Only Marconi system I knew at Heathrow was the S264 radar. I've never heard of John West, nor of the "In out club". Sorry (I was there 1972-1993). ATIS was certainly a boon for ATC but it was all recorded by humans (well, I think they were human..) at Heathrow; in fact I did it myself a good few times. I believe in recent times some ATIS broadcasts have been automated.
Not suggesting you're dead.... just don't keep working until you are!
Only Marconi system I knew at Heathrow was the S264 radar. I've never heard of John West, nor of the "In out club". Sorry (I was there 1972-1993). ATIS was certainly a boon for ATC but it was all recorded by humans (well, I think they were human..) at Heathrow; in fact I did it myself a good few times. I believe in recent times some ATIS broadcasts have been automated.
Not suggesting you're dead.... just don't keep working until you are!
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Thanks for the comments..
Marconi made a VOLMET or ATIS (to be frank I am not sure which) in the very early 80s which I understood was installed at LATCC. The system used recorded voice segments from the gentleman I mentioned and was well regarded in its time. Mr West was ex-Army and I unserstod the "In Out Club" is more properly known as the Army Navy Club but I am an antipodean and such places are totally foreign to me.
Oh, I dont actually work, I dont think I have done a days work since I left school.
Marconi made a VOLMET or ATIS (to be frank I am not sure which) in the very early 80s which I understood was installed at LATCC. The system used recorded voice segments from the gentleman I mentioned and was well regarded in its time. Mr West was ex-Army and I unserstod the "In Out Club" is more properly known as the Army Navy Club but I am an antipodean and such places are totally foreign to me.
Oh, I dont actually work, I dont think I have done a days work since I left school.
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My offering - when I'm allowed as far as the Czech republic I certainly use the ATIS/VOLMET - and to complete HD's education the 'in and out club' got its name from taxi drivers due to the signs on the gates 'IN' and........... 'OUT' - but EVERYONE knows that
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That is good to hear BOAC and when you do go to the Czech Republic do they allow you to take your pyjamas as it is a most pleasant place to visit. Now back to that club, what is its proper name please?
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I can only speak of the NZ ATIS- mainly CH and AA. Generally good- though recently a phrase has been added that carrys instructions following a missed approach. This phrase does not flow like the rest of the ATIS- maybe it was recorded at a different time/by a different person? It can be a different volume as well!
In and Out
In and Out = Naval and Military Club
The Naval & Military Club is universally known as The In & Out. This nickname heralds from the famous lettering found on the gate posts of its former home at 94 Piccadilly, which existed to guide London cabbies in and out of the Club.
Think I have used Kabul Flight Information, but nothing stands out about it.
The Naval & Military Club is universally known as The In & Out. This nickname heralds from the famous lettering found on the gate posts of its former home at 94 Piccadilly, which existed to guide London cabbies in and out of the Club.
Think I have used Kabul Flight Information, but nothing stands out about it.
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<<the 'in and out club' got its name from taxi drivers due to the signs on the gates 'IN' and........... 'OUT' - but EVERYONE knows that>>
But where was it at Heathrow? You don't mean that disgusting place on the ground floor of the tower beloved by taxi drivers and BOAC Captains surely?? ATC staff had a waitress service restaurant in those days on the first floor so we rarely ventured down to the "greasy spoon" as we called it.
But where was it at Heathrow? You don't mean that disgusting place on the ground floor of the tower beloved by taxi drivers and BOAC Captains surely?? ATC staff had a waitress service restaurant in those days on the first floor so we rarely ventured down to the "greasy spoon" as we called it.
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Ummm, did I say the In Out Club was at Heathrow? Sorry if I gave that impression, as far as I can recall it was in the city (London that is) somewhere.
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If I recall correctly, John West was a former Army officer who became Sales Manager of the Marconi division that made the VOLMET equipment (Space and Defence Systems perhaps?)
Several countries other than the UK purchased the system. I remember going on a flight deck familiarisation trip to Naples and hearing his manicured voice reciting the weather for numerous European airports.
Several countries other than the UK purchased the system. I remember going on a flight deck familiarisation trip to Naples and hearing his manicured voice reciting the weather for numerous European airports.
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Thank you Simtech, exactly as I was trying to recall. I believe a remark was made at the time that development of the London VOLMET cost two years, two PDP-11s, two engineers and two million quid.
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Something comes back here from the past. I, too was at Marconi Defence, but only in '86/'87. I vaguely recall that VOLMET and possibly ATIS used computer generated voice messages. Seems logical, as in the UK both would change roughly on the half hour as METARS were issued, plus extras for operational info on the ATIS, and manual re-loading would be a full time job. Any ATC men know the answer?
Dick
Dick
What is the Pyongyang ATIS frequency?
I'll be passing by that way again in the New Year and I will have a listen to see(?) whether it works.
As an aside most of us now use ACARS to get the weather, which is a shame really as listening through the old VOLMETs gave you a "big picture" idea of the weather.
I'll be passing by that way again in the New Year and I will have a listen to see(?) whether it works.
As an aside most of us now use ACARS to get the weather, which is a shame really as listening through the old VOLMETs gave you a "big picture" idea of the weather.