Ayup TB: It is a puzzle.
One notion I’ve been mulling over, quietly – as the ‘experts’ would probably tear it apart in a moment – for all kinds of reasons – still, it makes some sense to me. Take Coffs or Tamworth as an example – both ‘control zones’ but “busy”? Not really. There is potential conflict North of Coffs – Ballina etc. with not too many services a day – but enough to warrant some type of service. Now an extra chap or chapess on shift with a ‘feed’ of some sort and a link to the local frequency could provide ‘positive separation – I can talk to Melbourne 100 mies north of Alice at 8000’ – so why cant I talk to a ‘controller’ 30 miles out of Ballina? Not a ‘tech’ savvy sort of chap – but it seems to me that with a little money and some effort – the occasionally busy airports should be able to get some comfort inside ‘the zone’ of close encounters.
Willy could cover a few; Tamworth could cover a few; Coffs could cover a few; all the way up the East coast – how hard would it be? As stated nowhere near an ATC guru – philistine still grappling with ‘alphabet’ airspace more like; and, a long time lover of positive separation – even then I’ve had the odd moment of terror. I remember one fellah nearly in the ashtray one late afternoon – he was wearing green socks. Hell, I’d bring back mandatory position reporting if I could. The ‘silent majority’ worries me, particularly those avoiding landing fees after sunset (three close calls on that one).
Yet the system does work well when all plugged in – recently landed after hours, after last light – 3 inbound (plus me), one on the runway, one waiting, one taxi-ing – not a problem in the world – all came and went safely - polite, professional, safe as houses and a pleasure to do business with.
Dunno mate, your guess as good as mine. That’s all, my glass is empty and needs must when the Devil drives. Cheers….
One notion I’ve been mulling over, quietly – as the ‘experts’ would probably tear it apart in a moment – for all kinds of reasons – still, it makes some sense to me. Take Coffs or Tamworth as an example – both ‘control zones’ but “busy”? Not really. There is potential conflict North of Coffs – Ballina etc. with not too many services a day – but enough to warrant some type of service. Now an extra chap or chapess on shift with a ‘feed’ of some sort and a link to the local frequency could provide ‘positive separation – I can talk to Melbourne 100 mies north of Alice at 8000’ – so why cant I talk to a ‘controller’ 30 miles out of Ballina? Not a ‘tech’ savvy sort of chap – but it seems to me that with a little money and some effort – the occasionally busy airports should be able to get some comfort inside ‘the zone’ of close encounters.
Willy could cover a few; Tamworth could cover a few; Coffs could cover a few; all the way up the East coast – how hard would it be? As stated nowhere near an ATC guru – philistine still grappling with ‘alphabet’ airspace more like; and, a long time lover of positive separation – even then I’ve had the odd moment of terror. I remember one fellah nearly in the ashtray one late afternoon – he was wearing green socks. Hell, I’d bring back mandatory position reporting if I could. The ‘silent majority’ worries me, particularly those avoiding landing fees after sunset (three close calls on that one).
Yet the system does work well when all plugged in – recently landed after hours, after last light – 3 inbound (plus me), one on the runway, one waiting, one taxi-ing – not a problem in the world – all came and went safely - polite, professional, safe as houses and a pleasure to do business with.
Dunno mate, your guess as good as mine. That’s all, my glass is empty and needs must when the Devil drives. Cheers….