http://www.pprune.com/forums/showthr...hreadid=152907

I'm sure some of you are familiar with PPRuNe, however they are
currently discussing observations at civil airports, mainly Heathrow.
Apparently Met. Office observers are to be replaced with ATC
Assistants who hav completed an 18 hour CBT SAMOS observers course.

I'm not suggesting that ATC observers are any less capable than Met.
Office observers, given the same training. However they are NOT being
given the same training, and this is a secondary duty - NOT their
primary task. I dont really believe there are likely to be any safety
concerns - there should be enough safeguards in place, however it is
still concerning.

From a purely data-based point of view, it wil also mean the continued
loss of full observations from key sites (I assume ATC observers only
supply METARS?) How many 24/7/365 full observing sites still exist in
the country? I've been out of it for some time now, but do automatics
really adequately replace full obs? Does remote sensing work? Or is
this becoming even more a case of crap in, crap out?

"Scotty" wrote in message
om...

http://www.pprune.com/forums/showthr...hreadid=152907
snip

From a purely data-based point of view, it wil also mean the continued
loss of full observations from key sites

See http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/corporat...r20040524.html
Thanks for the link to PPEuNe, Scott. Interesting times ahead.

Jon.

"Scotty" wrote in message
om...

http://www.pprune.com/forums/showthr...hreadid=152907
snip

From a purely data-based point of view, it wil also mean the continued
loss of full observations from key sites

See http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/corporat...r20040524.html
Thanks for the link to PPRuNe, Scott. Interesting times ahead.

Jon.

Scotty wrote:
http://www.pprune.com/forums/showthr...hreadid=152907


I'm a big fan of PPrune - even though not a pilot myself (way too colour
blind). It was there I learned the term "Self loading freight" which I
think is an excellent description of your average passenger.

--
Chris
www.ivy-house.net
Swaffham, Norfolk

Succorso wrote in message ...
Scotty wrote:
http://www.pprune.com/forums/showthr...hreadid=152907


I'm a big fan of PPrune - even though not a pilot myself (way too colour
blind). It was there I learned the term "Self loading freight" which I
think is an excellent description of your average passenger.

We simply called them "punters". I guess that term is even more
appropriate today when, for example, a destination advertised as
Glasgow is in fact Prestwick. You pay your money and take your
chance.

Rumour has it that one of the budget operators will soon be adding
"America" to its list destinations. It would help if they at least
said whether they mean North or South:-)

Jack

Flyglobespan are planning to go trans Atlantic in 2006. Florida is on the
agenda and I believe Canada from EGPF. Don't tell anyone that I said that

John D


Rumour has it that one of the budget operators will soon be adding
"America" to its list destinations. It would help if they at least
said whether they mean North or South:-)

Jack

Jack Harrison wrote:

Rumour has it that one of the budget operators will soon be adding
"America" to its list destinations. It would help if they at least
said whether they mean North or South:-)

Jack

Ryanair have been trying for a very long time to get ETOPS on some of
their 737-800's in order to get a New York or Boston service up and
running for not much money.

Now, I for one would find 8 hours on a 737 a bit too much to bear I
think... although if the fare were low enough, say 20 quid each way,
then I might consider it!

--
Chris
www.ivy-house.net
Swaffham, Norfolk

Ryanair have been trying for a very long time to get ETOPS on some of
their 737-800's in order to get a New York or Boston service up and
running for not much money.

Now, I for one would find 8 hours on a 737 a bit too much to bear I
think... although if the fare were low enough, say 20 quid each way, then
I might consider it!

--
Chris
www.ivy-house.net
Swaffham, Norfolk

I for one would not go that distance on a 737, I still bear the metal scars
from when I used to go to Sharm El Shiek on a regular basis. When
Flyglobespan launch their service it will be on aircraft built for the job.
Fingers crossed I will be retired by then:-)

John D

(Jack Harrison) wrote in message om...
Succorso wrote in message ...
Scotty wrote:
http://www.pprune.com/forums/showthr...hreadid=152907


I'm a big fan of PPrune - even though not a pilot myself (way too colour
blind). It was there I learned the term "Self loading freight" which I
think is an excellent description of your average passenger.

We simply called them "punters". I guess that term is even more
appropriate today when, for example, a destination advertised as
Glasgow is in fact Prestwick. You pay your money and take your
chance...

Jack

Much the same as when airlines on this side of the Atlantic advertise
flights to "London, UK". Who knows where you'll end up if you don't
ask the travel agent which London airport you'll be flying to, or read
the online booking form!

BrianN