Behind the scenes at an air-ground aerodrome
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- Опубліковано 8 лип 2024
- In part 1 of a new series, I demonstrate the procedures and typical radiotelephony when operating from an air-ground aerodrome in the UK. I fly in to Earls Colne aerodrome in Essex, and meet Carolyn Mason, who works for Anglian Flight Centre.
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Wish I had videos like this when I was learning to fly back in the 80s
Think you hit a niche series here. Looking forward to the next parts.
Great videos. I remember learning. Anyone currently taking their PPL this video and associated series is second to none. Listen and learn folks.
Wow! Thank you very much for this kind of videos... I'm taking my PPL licence in London (Stapleford) and I'm struggling with communications as I'm not native English speaker and this kind of videos help me a lot! Thanks!!
A new and interesting series that needs to be looked at. Another great vid Jon.
Thanks Adrian.
Very interesting, and well-presented video, thanks Jon. I’m not a pilot but we take part in events at the Anglian Flight Centre at Earl’s Colne as radio amateurs in support of the helimed. Very professional team there, and great to see them in action... you’ve explained perfectly what they do (in a way that I as a non-pilot now I’m understand). Great video.
Thanks for watching! They're a good bunch there.
Great vid.
To be super pedantic the call would be “request join information” at an air/ground versus “request join instructions” at an atc. Though I also always just say “request join” too, and it’s always worked for me! :)
Also interesting question you asked the operator on the relevance of their role. Similar question could be asked of anyone providing a basic service - maybe one for a future series - differences between basic/traffic/procedural service etc
Brilliant video Jon, looking forward to the others in the series...
Watching these to supplement my PPL training.
Impressed with the quality and content - will subscribe as a supporter.
Thanks for these great mini-documentaries... they’re exceptionally watchable and educational. I’m a student in the US, so much of this doesn’t apply, but it’s all very interesting none-the-less.
Thanks John. Very informative.
Very excited to see your footage of halfpenny green next week.
The best channel for private pilots! Always a lot of interesting information. Really looking forward to new videos. Thanks!
Hi Jon, great video and very informative and well done as usual. You have really helped me with my progress on the PPL which I'm pleased to say I now have. Keep it going, Cheers!!
Brilliant again Jon, love the mini series!
Thanks!
There are lots of good folk out there making film of flying experiences...The Plane Old Ben, Flight Chops , T Palmer and so on.
However your edge is the BBC training and experience we all happily paid for. Broadcast quality!
If you ran a seminar on how to have a stab at making quality film like you do...that seminar would be packed and hopefully in the future lead to us being spared stuff which coulda been good but didn’t cut the mustard. I view your stuff less now as just interesting for me and more as public service broadcasting...
You can take the man out of the Beeb , but you can’t etc etc....
Thanks..
You're very kind Simon. Thanks.
Simon Kynaston I think Jon is different as he has a cautious and approachable attitude and open to improving himself...certain others seem very cock sure of themselves which in aviation could be their downfall!
Sterlingjob ...yep very true..
The Flying Reporter ..well deserved...thanks for the hard work..
Good idea for a new series and really well put together. A useful reminder put across in a very interesting and informative way. Thanks John.
Excellent informative video thanks Jon.
What a cracking little series, only found it by chance.
Brilliant video Jon👏really interesting.
Love this. Makes me miss flying. I love flying into air to ground- it’s a different experience but fun. Sandown, on the IOW where I did my PPL cross country solo flight was great fun. Got to meet the operator once I landed too. Nice chap.
Really appreciating these as I get back into flying (used to be a Flight Info Service when I last flew!) and up to speed with RT and procedures. Thank you Jon.
A fantastic video and insight into air / ground radio operations and procedures. I am flying to Conington for my XCQ this week and this video has definitely helped me understand the RT needed. Thanks Jon.
Fantastic video and very informative!
Very interesting content and exceptional video quality. The video material and editing is of the highest standard and your commentary is crisp and clear. Perfect! Thank you.
Iv just started my license and this is so useful! Thank you !
a great insight John - Thank you.
Pleasure Liam.
Fabulous video Jon and eye opening.
I’m not a pilot but a radio amateur and anything Radio is interesting. It’s very interesting to see how the voice behind the mic works.
Interesting to hear how many jobs they do!!
Looking forward to seeing the next in the series.
Great Video Jon, it’s great to learn about the different types of airfields and the workings on the ground. ✈️
Thanks for watching Stewart.
Spot on Jon. Absolutely brilliant! This is what most pilots (including myself) lagging behind and you nailed it. Look forward to the rest of the series.
Thank you!
Very informative and well made video John . I’m particularly looking forward to the next video featuring Halfpenny Green , my old home airfield when living in the UK . Thank you for sharing .
Comes out next week David.
The Flying Reporter . Thanks John . I’m looking forward to it .
A very good start to the new series Jon. Good content, nicely filmed and well edited. Looking forward to the next one.
Thank you Tim.
Great video, keep it up!
Fantastic set of videos :)
Thanks David.
I fly commercially but find these videos immensely useful as I'd love to get back into GA. I never understood the difference between A/G and AFIS, even when I was doing PPL!
she is very composed and impressive
Jon. This is just great. And what a professional production too !.
As a student this is very helpful to me.
Thank you very much. Superb.
Thanks Steve.
I ring the airfield first (most of them seem to be PPR anyway) and ask what they’re expecting - takes the guesswork out of the first call at an A/G field. Brilliant idea for a series mate, love it.
Thanks.
Thanks for featuring my departure at Earls Colne ;) I find it interesting your departure RT was different to mine but still to the same effect!
Hey mate.. have you considered making one about the cost of flying in the UK?
Enjoyed watching this, as I’m on about 12 hours in my PPL this was very helpful and informative looking forward to the ATC video as I fly from Exeter (EGTE)
Glad you enjoyed the video.
I like your cautious approach to flying...unlike some other you tubers who come across very arrogantly!
Having just past my RT, I have found part 1 very interesting and informative, I’m about to go sole and at the moment my airfield (sywell) has no tower. I’ve not landed at any other aerodrome as yet, so Look forward to watching part 2. Thanks
This is so professional. Also hope to see you at Headcorn sometime 😊
As a (mature) student pilot who is about to take his GST I have found your videos excellent. Although I have recently passed my R/T exam, I realised that it was once aspect of flying that was going to need a lot of practice (and probably some more studying) before I would feel confident to deal with the variety of scenarios you are now covering in this mini series. Thank you very much and keep up the good work.
Thanks for your support James.
Excellent video again Jon on a very relevant topic, great video editing and a demonstration of what RT skills should sound like, obviously assisted by your professional career!!!
just signed up to website as I'm sure every little helps
Look forward to the rest of the mini series
Glad you enjoyed it Keith, and thank you for the sign-up.
Again a great video, very informational and excellently made. As expected not very different from what I’m used to here at the continent. All EASA after all. I’m still planning a flight over to the UK somewhere next year, but am a bit afraid of all your particularities over there. So these videos are a great help of preparing better. 🙏
Thanks Coen. We do have some peculiarities and differences from the rest of Europe. Hopefully the series will help with some of that.
Another great document to supplement CAP 413 is the CAA’s ‘Skyway Code’ pdf. Its a must and really easy to use because it filters out what you don’t need for your average PPL pilot. And it’s iPad friendly with clickable tabs.
Happy flying Jon
The Skyway code is an excellent resource.
this was very informative
Great job John - Not sure if you would remember a couple of years ago taking the time to speak on the phone about RT - "Who do you call and when" and things like this video are so useful to low air time pilots and Caroline was so informative as well - Well done indeed mate
I do remember Chris. How are you getting on now?
@@TheFlyingReporter - good mate, thanks to people like you who take the time to help .... Bought a Eurostar 4th May 2018 and clocked up 150 hours in it. Thanks again for all the help
I’ve always liked your videos. Well done on this one. Greetings from Australia. 🌈
Thanks Ethan.
Come to Gloucester
Great video look forward to this series. Loved how polite you were "you're not quite at the bottom, but you are... quite low" ;)
Ah, yes, that was a little cruel of me!
@@TheFlyingReporter you didn't mean it we know!
Plus ça change...always interesting to see!
Very similar to what we call a Mandatory Frequency airport here in Canada. My home airport (Kamloops CYKA) is such an airport: the ground station provides weather and traffic information so pilots can make better decisions. Helps keep our little putt putts out of the way of the Q400s.
I can't see that they'd ever mix that sort of traffic at an A/G aerodrome here. The regulator would have kittens!
Your airspace is so tight and so busy I'd have kittens too. :-)
Flying in a huge country that's mostly wide-open space gives one a very different perspective.
Nice one Jon. Interestingly, Lee-on-Solent (EGHF) has just moved to Flight Information Service Monday to Wednesday and Air Ground Thursday - Sunday. Probably all FIS0 soon.
That's interesting Chris.
Thanks Jon, as ever a very clear and informative video. For completeness though are you going to cover an even smaller non-ATZ airfield such as Deenethorpe or Holmbeck Farm to show the differences and how the pilot has even more responsibility? Very similar to a Radio service but don’t expect to receive responses to your blind radio calls; you may get a runway in use but certainly no QFE or wind details.
Hi Geoffrey. Some day most likely, yes.
Hi John,
Like always love your videos, very professionals and very interesting , hope one day I can fly to UK and fly with you, It is a dream for me, I am 47 years old and in my young age I study Airplane Airplane Mechanic , but my medical situation do not permit no more stay in the aviation world, my dreams went to another route, any ways long story, maybe one day in the future you need someone a huge fan on your right seat at least for 30 mins fly.
Thanks again John, love your videos, quality and the main thing, very peaceful for nature.
Julian Saab from Texas.
Thanks Julian.
You're still in your young age!!!
@@kevchilton908 thanks
I just ordered a 40db audio attenuator. Didn't realise until now why my Sony audio recorder was all but unusable. And I really can't rely on a single GoPro source. Needed a backup. THANKS.
Glad it worked!
Here in France you don’t “request” anything from services who do not deliver clearances.
There are a number of AFISO airports which are busier than airports with ATC. This is likely to change in the next 5-10 years under EASA with hard limits on movement numbers based on the type (or lack of) service provided. Quite likely that a few places will either have to up their level of service or be hit with a movement cap. Goodwood and Sywell are two examples.
Hi. When I visited Wolverhampton, the AFISO was telling me about this.
Yes Sywell is a busy AFISO unit. Also Blackbushe Airport
Thanks Jon, as usual a very clear and precise video on just how it really is. We always ask for radio check and airfield information followed by calls prior to any ground movements to aid all pilots with situational awareness. It does seem strange that so many pilots can be confused with the different levels of service
and your continuing series will help make these differences clear.
During this video you mention overhead join and desending deadside terms many may not be understanding off, how do you decide how much to explain and how much to leave out when compiling these videos?
I am sure you have already covered these topics in the past!
I don't find it strange that pilots get confused. I found it difficult when I was training, to grasp all the subtle differences. I made a video about the standard overhead join in the past, coincidentally at Earls Colne.
Another great vid Jon. All by the book at Earls Colne, I see. However in my short flying career, currently on hold, I have been struck by:
- significant variations in what different A/G aerodromes expect on first contact from the ground (all CAP413 compliant but confusing when a student);
- at the A/G aerodrome where I did most of my training, instructors refused to let me line up and take off until my "ready for departure" call from the hold had been acknowledged and indeed that is always expected at that aerodrome whether it's a student flying or not; why?
- at the same A/G aerodrome, one is always told on calling for a join to "report at XXX" and they expect a "wilco" in return. What's that if not an instruction?
- flying out of a FISO-equipped aerodrome once with an instructor based there, he told me off for starting to take off once lined up "because we haven't got clearance to take off yet".
I actually found the R/T the least difficult part of learning to fly, but could get confused as hell when people with a lot more knowledge and experience than me didn't do what my studies tell me they should have done (or not done).
Perhaps worth my mentioning also that while we all know A/G operators can't give instructions, they can come close and we should be grateful! For example I recall once having called "ready for departure after the landing aircraft" to hear "have you seen the SECOND aircraft on final?" (I had but I'm not proud).
It's not an exact science Robin, and with each person comes different interpretations. At the end of the day, as long as everyone is understood, all is good. Some A/G aerodromes run like they're Heathrow, some Full ATC are very laid back. For a student, this is confusing. What can you do though?
I find this sort of confusion is at the core of GA operations. At my home airport (A/G) it's not unusual to have no radio operator at all. Basic information considering QNH and runway in use is usually provided by other pilots flying in the circuit. In those cases, I like to report base leg on busy days, as you may have someone, who's just got into the aircraft and might not have a good SA in terms of what's happening in the air, or other aircraft joining, mixed with microlights, flying circuit at 700' AGL in our case, or maybe someone with no radio at all. It can be nerve-wracking at times (it happened numerous times to me to climb back overhead after I couldn't see traffic calling downwind).
Ha ha not sure where you Instructor got the idea in his head that you needed “clearance for take off” from the FISO..........after reporting you are ready for departure then take off is entirely at your discretion!!
Great video John, I have one question. The A/G mentioned that she also was ground crew for the club and sometimes had to move an aircraft or similar tasks that take her away from the transmitter. When that happens you would not get a response from the A/G when you call in or does she have a portable transmitter?
I don't know what they do at Earls Colne. Sometimes aerodromes will have a portable, at other times, aircraft will just make traffic calls if there's no response from the A/G operator.
Hi Ed, to answer your question above there will always be at least two groundcrew members on duty so someone is always on hand to operate the radio. But Jon is correct in saying that if the radio was unattended then aircraft could transmit to other traffic only.
James (groundcrew)
Hi,
Great video, very interesting to someone just starting out
I noticed there are 2 Robins parked up at Earls Colne with the same registration, is that normal?
I hadn't spotted that.
The Flying Reporter it looks like one is G-ECAP and the other is G-ECAR
Can a non radio aircraft land at air to ground?
Depends on the aerodrome. It will say in the AIP or aerodrome listing/website.
4:22 That runway's so narrow they didn't have space to paint the numbers. Or is that a grass runway and you landed on a taxiway?
At 2:53 - "overhead". Doesn't look overhead! Looks about a mile away
'overhead' means overhead, as in the circling area over the top of the aerodrome - a 1-2 mile circle. The overhead call is alerting everyone else approaching, that I am now in the overhead, and if they're making an overhead join they will need to look out for me.
@@TheFlyingReporter I've always taken it much more literally. CAP413 is not prescriptive although illustrates it within the circuit (not arguing by the way - I was just interested in your view)