Silverstone GP Heli Ops
F1 pit-stop techniques :eek:
Scalextric for Men
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 277
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From: Southern England outside the M25
Has anybody bought tickets for Silverstone this year?
Now if it was Wagners Ring Cycle
I'd rather be at Fairford
Crikey : mentioned plank flying amongst the rotarians!
I'll get
for this
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 62
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From: Hayling Riviera
Armed with my "Contractors" ticket I'll be off to Silverstone in the morning to look after you Rotorheads from the tower this weekend. Let's hope the weather's okay on Sunday or Bernie will not be amused 
Be gentle with me (I'll be the Jock on the North Side!)
I don't mind not seeing the GP but how do I get into the Quo party?
Be gentle with me (I'll be the Jock on the North Side!)
I don't mind not seeing the GP but how do I get into the Quo party?
Guest
Posts: n/a
Was there yesterday for the practice and pre-qualifying. Good day, wasn't that bad price-wise and (if you're a petrolhead) was lots to see and dribble over...!
The Apache did a flypast down the pit straight on Thursday to co-incide with a Williams (ISTR) driving through - all a publicity stunt to shower praise on the defence industry for taking on civvie ideas. How marvellous. (They had the press looking at a Jetranger to publicise the heliport, when these things came flying through - supposed to really grab their attention - like a tray of canapes wouldn't have done the same thing).
The one thing I did find amusing was that the Army had decamped a whole Division of AAC guys and gals to help (but I never saw them anywhere near the Apache and I was at Copse for most of the day (where it was parked) - methinks there's a bit of taxpayer's being spent on hospitality here...) Anyway, I'd do it if had the chance!
The Apache did a flypast down the pit straight on Thursday to co-incide with a Williams (ISTR) driving through - all a publicity stunt to shower praise on the defence industry for taking on civvie ideas. How marvellous. (They had the press looking at a Jetranger to publicise the heliport, when these things came flying through - supposed to really grab their attention - like a tray of canapes wouldn't have done the same thing).
The one thing I did find amusing was that the Army had decamped a whole Division of AAC guys and gals to help (but I never saw them anywhere near the Apache and I was at Copse for most of the day (where it was parked) - methinks there's a bit of taxpayer's being spent on hospitality here...) Anyway, I'd do it if had the chance!
Title? What title?
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 347
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From: In the dog house
How does ATC handle Silverstone?
I spent much of yesterday watching helicopters coming in and out of Silverstone and at times it was like something out of Apocalypse Now. It got me wondering how does Air Traffic work for Silverstone? Is approach handled locally? Do they draft in additional staff etc.etc.etc However its done, the result is just incredible - well done
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 62
Likes: 0
From: Hayling Riviera
Hi
I'm one of the 9 (SRG approved) ATCOs who were handling the helicopters over the Silverstone weekend. My "day job" is as a Heathrow Approach controller at LTCC - others come from Southend, Shoreham, LACC, Stansted, Birmingham and Booker, ably supported by a team of assistants and led by a SATCO and ATC Manager (you know who you are!)
Basically, the airfield is split into 2 halfs - 24/06 tarmac and 24/06 grass, each with around 16 stands. 3 controllers at a time control the North side, another 3 control the south side. Each helicopter is allocated a colour and a number for the north side and a colour and a letter for the south side. Helicopters join on prescribed routes on either side without crossing the line between north and south. The local controller then performs a kind of aerial ground movement control getting the inbounds to their stands whilst fitting in the departures. Phraseology is much abbreviated (and SRG approved) from MATS 1, eg. "Black black 6, gate 6" means "Black black 6 cleared to land runway 24 grass and taxi to stand 6, maintaining your own separatiion!" The colour is repeated to get round clipping R/T.
It was fairly quiet this year - you should've seen it in 1997 when we handled 4084 movements on the Sunday!
If you want any more info let me know.
I'm one of the 9 (SRG approved) ATCOs who were handling the helicopters over the Silverstone weekend. My "day job" is as a Heathrow Approach controller at LTCC - others come from Southend, Shoreham, LACC, Stansted, Birmingham and Booker, ably supported by a team of assistants and led by a SATCO and ATC Manager (you know who you are!)
Basically, the airfield is split into 2 halfs - 24/06 tarmac and 24/06 grass, each with around 16 stands. 3 controllers at a time control the North side, another 3 control the south side. Each helicopter is allocated a colour and a number for the north side and a colour and a letter for the south side. Helicopters join on prescribed routes on either side without crossing the line between north and south. The local controller then performs a kind of aerial ground movement control getting the inbounds to their stands whilst fitting in the departures. Phraseology is much abbreviated (and SRG approved) from MATS 1, eg. "Black black 6, gate 6" means "Black black 6 cleared to land runway 24 grass and taxi to stand 6, maintaining your own separatiion!" The colour is repeated to get round clipping R/T.
It was fairly quiet this year - you should've seen it in 1997 when we handled 4084 movements on the Sunday!
If you want any more info let me know.
Title? What title?
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 347
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From: In the dog house
Surfing - thanks for the response. Actually I was there is 1997 (I am there most years) and I never cease to be amazed at the operation, but then juggling aircraft is I guess, business as usual for all ATC folks.
A job well done though, from interest, do you know the landing fee (for a warrior?) for race day. I suspect it is equivalent to a 3 bedroom house in Hertfordshire
A job well done though, from interest, do you know the landing fee (for a warrior?) for race day. I suspect it is equivalent to a 3 bedroom house in Hertfordshire
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 62
Likes: 0
From: Hayling Riviera
If it's Alicia Silverstone, with an awful lot of tender loving care!
do you know the landing fee (for a warrior?) for race day
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 72
Likes: 0
From: UK
In previous years, some of the feeder sites have had an Air/Ground Radio Operator or FISO. I did it one year, but there seem to be fewer opportunities now, probably because movements are down.
Anyone care to suggest an appropriate rate of pay for feeder site A/G or FISO? Thinking of next year already!
Anyone care to suggest an appropriate rate of pay for feeder site A/G or FISO? Thinking of next year already!
Title? What title?
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 347
Likes: 0
From: In the dog house
No fixed wings have been allowed for a few years now
eee - I think I would rather the wings be fixed on a warrior
Is the £50 per helicopter seat just to land and drop off, or is there parking on top
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 68
Likes: 0
From: Costa Blanca, Spain
Like Phnuff I was sat watching the helicopters landing from my seat in the Farm enclosure.
At times it reminded me of the Heathrow approach path with them being lined up for approach/landing.
Used most of my camcorder battery filming the damned things, such was my interest!
Dave
1st GP by the way. Still can't get the noise out of my head!
At times it reminded me of the Heathrow approach path with them being lined up for approach/landing.
Used most of my camcorder battery filming the damned things, such was my interest!
Dave
1st GP by the way. Still can't get the noise out of my head!
