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Gonzo

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Viewing 15 posts - 91 through 105 (of 117 total)
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  • in reply to: Work experience #593988
    Gonzo
    Participant

    A330, what were the disadvantages mentioned by the Sheffield ATCO, regarding NATS?

    I’m an ATCO at Heathrow, and do a lot of work for our Recruitment department. Please feel free to PM or start another topic if you have any questions.

    in reply to: Silly question of the month award! #600627
    Gonzo
    Participant

    All of KLM’s EHEH and EHRD flights are F50s, Luxair use 145, as do BMI. Lufthansa use both RJ85s and CRJs. LOT sometimes bring in an ERJ-170.

    Regarding ‘bans’ on traffic…..from the EGLL UK AIP entry….

    Operators of General and Business aviation aircraft may only operate in the peak during any operating season
    if they obtain permission to do so from the airport operator as well as a slot in advance of each movement also from the airport operator.
    In practice, permission to operate in the peak will be deemed to have been granted under the terms of the Traffic Distribution Rule
    (copies available from Manager Heathrow Operations Centre, Heathrow Airport Limited), if a slot for each movement in the peak is
    granted. Operators of General and Business Aviation aircraft, who arrive and depart at any time, may operate the movement provided
    that the aircraft departs or arrives to the approved slot time. Those who fail to operate to the approved slot time or who operate in the
    peak without first obtaining permission and a slot from the airport operator, are liable to be prohibited from operating in the peak
    thereafter, unless the airport operator is satisfied that the movement amounted to an emergency or other circumstances beyond the
    control of the operator or the commander of the aircraft. This permission will not be given for flights for recreational, charity and record
    breaking purposes. Light single and twin engined private aircraft will not be permitted to use the airport. Applications for prior
    permission must be made not more than 10 days and not less than 24 hours before the proposed flight and should be addressed to the
    Manager, Airport Co-ordination Ltd,

    in reply to: Concorde to fly again? #517331
    Gonzo
    Participant

    Concorde’s time had come. It was old. The number of occasions after the return to service that one had to return to stand because of a techincal problem was very high.

    Yes, we’d all love to see one flying, but it just wasn’t commercially viable any more. I’d imagine that even if BA had charged 10k per ticket, it still wouldn’t have been viable.

    in reply to: Black Circle on BA aircarft Nose #518856
    Gonzo
    Participant

    MLS is installed at LHR, and our Ops guys along with the CAA are currently working on procedures for its use.

    The main benefit in our case is that the antennae on the ground need far less protection (i.e. CAT I bars rather than CATII/III bars) than an ILS, so our capacity in Low Visibility Procedures increases, as we need to provide the aircraft with less separation.

    in reply to: Worst ATC of the DEVELOPED WORLD #520297
    Gonzo
    Participant

    I would respectfully suggest that there’s a lot more to ATC than just clear language and prompt, clear instructions….whether those instuctions, prompt or not, are safe and suitable for the situation, for starters.

    Anyway, I’m responsible for some of the worst ATC I know of! 😀

    in reply to: Heathrows runways #1278987
    Gonzo
    Participant

    23 was last used about three years ago for landings. Off the top of my head, since T4 was built, 23 was available for take off by a/c with MTOW of 14 tonnes or less.

    in reply to: Air Traffic Control Question #566356
    Gonzo
    Participant

    I’m no expert on ATC in those countries, but I’d imagine there are vast swathes of airspace that have no radar or VHF cover, so are treated exactly the same as oceanic airspace; position reports via HF.

    in reply to: Runway use at Manchester #582531
    Gonzo
    Participant

    5.75389724 mph.

    FYI if you ever want to convert anything, use Google.

    I typed “5 knots in mph” in the search bar, and that was the answer….

    in reply to: LHR 18/6 #588267
    Gonzo
    Participant

    The F50s don’t present too much of a problem to us. The only time we really notice them is on departure; we need to leave four minutes after their departure before launching a jet on the same route (only two minutes if they’re both jets). However, we can launch it ‘wheels up’ (40 seconds ish) behind a Medium jet even if they’re both on the same route instead of the two mintues again. Swings and roundabouts.

    in reply to: More news on T5 at Heathrow #592407
    Gonzo
    Participant

    Of course, they don’t mention that the information we have is that BA will want to tow all their nightstopping a/c over to the maintenance base at the end of the day and tow them all back over to T5 in time for the first wave of outbounds….. 😮

    Terminal 5 has two-way taxiways

    I wasn’t aware Heathrow had any one way taxiways!

    in reply to: Overtaking #595441
    Gonzo
    Participant

    I’m not doubting your belief, wozza, but it’s incredibly hard for anyone to judge heights, especially relative to other a/c, from the ground. Those of us who do it for a living aren’t very accurate, and we’ve got a radar to ‘calibrate’ our eyesight.

    There is no ‘overtaking’ procedure.

    Of course, if the Baron was VFR, then they can get as close as they like, as long as traffic information has been passed.

    in reply to: "LHR should be phased out" #600991
    Gonzo
    Participant

    Sorry, wozza, perhaps I wasn’t clear enough. I was responding to tomfellows’ post where Heathrow would remain in place.

    Even so, from an ATC point of view, the best place for a Heathrow Mk.II would be Brize or Fairford. :diablo:

    in reply to: "LHR should be phased out" #601120
    Gonzo
    Participant

    Stansted should become purely locost (which it practically is), Heathrow should be European Scheduled, Gatwick could be charter flights and they should build an airport for long haul flights on the Thames Estuary

    As things stand, there isn’t the airspace and ATC capacity to allow for another major airport in the SE of England (especially S or E of London); as well as London, you’ve got Paris, Brussels, Amsterdam and more to consider. IIRC the recent venture of Manston as a low cost base caused massive problems for my colleagues at Swanwick and West Drayton.

    in reply to: Heathrow pics – August 2002 #560826
    Gonzo
    Participant

    Ahhhhhh…..block numbers! 😀

    in reply to: Heathrow, a congested dinosaur #577008
    Gonzo
    Participant

    Have faith dear friends… Heathrow will evolve and improve… No doubt at all.

    BA moving out then? 😉

Viewing 15 posts - 91 through 105 (of 117 total)