BK Tower restrictions

[Adam P.]

OK, so what's going on here then???

C48/09 REVIEW C43/09
CIRCUIT OPS RESTRICTED
DAILY BTN 2230-2330 AND 0430-0530
ACFT NUMBERS REDUCED TO NO MORE THAN 4 DUE WORKLOAD DISTRIBUTION
FROM 02 040507 TO 04 300530

[Phil M]

Due to the lack of staff the circuit frequency will is combined with the the arrival and departure frequency so 1 less person is required in the cabin.

As a result, only 4 can be in the circuit due to workload of the Controller and frequency congestion.

[Jarrad Wadmore]

It's not just BK but also out at Parafield too:

RESTRICTED CIRCUIT OPS AVBL AND START APPROVAL REQUIRED
DAILY 0630-0730
DUE STAFF SHORTAGE
FROM 02 010730 TO 04 040730 EST

Asa recruitment must be slow!

[Nigel C]

I don't think it's necessarily 'slow', but it does take time to train them. Also there have been the usual retirement aged folks going as well as attractive overseas options.

Another thing that's becoming a semi-regular event is delays on departure due to staff shortages. No doubt the airlines are getting rather cranky with AsA management.

[Adam P.]

Glad I don't fly out of BK any more.

BK operators can't be happy.

[Matt_L]

Originally Posted by Adam P.

Glad I don't fly out of BK any more.

BK operators can't be happy.

Indeed, Amnita Hennesy- owner of Clamback and Hennesy flying school reckons this one act is losing her about 50% of daily profit- see her blog on clahen website.

I flew out of BK last week on Wednesday and cant believe the shift that has occured since i started training there in 2005. There was a 152 at runway centre saying he was ready at runway left- he got a hammering from tower.

It seems the controllers are fed up of some of the pilots flying into BK- student pilots no doubt which often dont comply with regulations/respond to calls even. Another 152 doing a go around on circuit runway (11R) with about 8 in the circuit failed to notify tower. When Tower realized the 152 had already reached late upwind and was turning crosswind right into the path of a cherokee- 3 calls went unheeded by the pilot of the 152 until finally he responded to the sequencing instructions. Thankfully tower was there to tell the 152 to extend the upwind because the two planes came very close- me being on downwind at the time so saw it all.

I just think reducing the planes to 4 will cause bottlenecks of planes rushing on the ground to join circuit, and others coming back from the training area wanting to join circuit which could also be a problem.

Anyways just my 2 cents.

[Brenden S]

What about flying down to YWOL or out to Camden?

[Adam P.]

out to Camden?

SSHH!!! They might hear you, and then it'll be just as bad out there!!!

[Matt_L]

Originally Posted by Adam P.

SSHH!!! They might hear you, and then it'll be just as bad out there!!!

From what ive been seeing on PPRUNE,

Camden is becoming far more busier now Hoxton Park is closed, and ctaf calls are hard to come by with all the frequency traffic

But with the new CTAF procedures theres a fine for not calling all the relevant legs- i believe?

Go figure!

[Chris W]

Originally Posted by Matt_L

From what ive been seeing on PPRUNE,

Camden is becoming far more busier now Hoxton Park is closed, and ctaf calls are hard to come by with all the frequency traffic

But with the new CTAF procedures theres a fine for not calling all the relevant legs- i believe?

Go figure!

And who polices that? Will ASA with all of their staff send someone out to listen to Camden CTAF or does CASA send their wonderful staff. At least with the latter option the fine will take a year to get to you or not at all.