Noteworthy regarding Headcorn ops….
” Easy to get to and welcoming, the airfield with it’s air ground radio means that flight all decisions are made by the pilot making him a better and more independent captain early on in his or her training.”
So you have an air ground radio service manned by an AFISO not an air traffic controller. I have flown into and out of an AFISO manned airfield and have also qualified as an AFISO. The airmanship standard varies greatly and those using an AFISO manned or unmanned airfield need to develop eyes in the back of their head. This absence of control certainly contributed to this near fatal accident.A controller would have issued a clearance to cross BEHIND the landing aircraft once visual contact was confirmed. There are occasions when a landing roll turns into a roller so crossing low in front is not safe.
My own near miss came at Perth (Air Ground) when a Jodel departed via a reporting point as we arrived inbound at the same location .I was crew not pilot in command.
Pilots need to be aware that they are equally entitled to ask on the radio if uncertain of others height and location.
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