Light Aircraft at Heathrow

The airports in the USA have heavy government funding. If the British government were to have a similar policy they would have to fund it somehow, which would either be by reducing the amount of money spent elsewhere or by taxing us further.

It’s a lose/lose situation, I’m afraid. I prefer to pop over to the USA (which is relatively cheap right now) to get my big-airport fix.

As usual with these things, it’s all money driven!

You just have to go over to the USA and watch the GA landing with the “big boys” (mostly cost free) at almost every major airport and then you’ll realise that as usual the UK loses out.

Just like we could run our cars on greener, lower emission fuel right now, without any modification – but it’s only the government that won’t let you do it!

Val

😀 😀 Oh yes, Low ‘n Slow strikes again. Maybe regarded as a little bit facetious but it gave me a chuckle anyway.

Heaven forbid, that anyone ever takes me seriously! 😀

😀 😀 Oh yes, Low ‘n Slow strikes again. Maybe regarded as a little bit facetious but it gave me a chuckle anyway.

Oh no! Christmas Day is the only day of the year which is relatively quiet, although getting busier year after year. It’s the only stress-free day of the year for us, and the lower traffic level allows many more controllers to take leave to be at home.

I have visions of clouds of 150s and Cherokees in the circuit and all us ATCOs tearing our hair out because we don’t know what to do! VFR? What’s that????

Easy. All you do is make Heathrow tower AFIS for the day and keep saying “at your discretion!” 😀

Oh no! Christmas Day is the only day of the year which is relatively quiet, although getting busier year after year. It’s the only stress-free day of the year for us, and the lower traffic level allows many more controllers to take leave to be at home.

I have visions of clouds of 150s and Cherokees in the circuit and all us ATCOs tearing our hair out because we don’t know what to do! VFR? What’s that????

My ex-flatmate had a share in a C-150 and all the partners were BA staff. I have a feeling that after he sold his share they managed to fly it into LHR to have an engine change done. This would have been the late 1980s.

The other point is they’re too interested in the profit margin to allow it.

Heathrow Lightweights.

This brings back memories of a flight from Norwich to Heathrow during 1969 / 70 in a gardan horizon ! (similar to a cherokee) to collect some radio gear from field aircraft services.
To say the least it was embarracing ! imagine cueing for take off behind a 707 and a VC-10, we almost got airbourne using the exhaust from the jets in front ! but hey those were the days ? please ask no technical questions as i was only ballast (or the only one stupid enough to go along ? ) keith.

bring back the days after the war when there was a Dragon Rapide based there giving pleasure flights

Pop up to Duxford, if that is what you are after. The wheels hardly touch the ground on a good day.

bring back the days after the war when there was a Dragon Rapide based there giving pleasure flights

The Government will claim that it is not within their remit to influence operational procedures or matters both with BAA or NATS (esp if those companies are technically privately owned – even if the quiet shareholder is them!). Nice try but it will not get very far I fear given how past petitions have been handled.

On the face of it, a great idea! I grew up under the approaches for 27L and 27R and it was always good to see the lighter stuff on Christmas day. However, I go back home for Xmas each year and I have to say it’s amazing how busy the approaches are with the normal commercial traffic on Xmas day, much more than they used to be. I’m not convinced there’s room for light aircraft anymore.

Can someone please expand on how and where the GA aircraft would fit in?

Welcome to the Forum with a great idea!:)