Information 'Hotel'

"ATIS" stands for "Automated Terminal Information Service," which is a recorded message broadcast at most busy airports around the country. ATIS gives pilots the current wind, air traffic, and runway information and each time the information changes, the broadcast is revised, with each revision being assigned the next letter in the phonetic alphabet. This designation is included in the broadcast, which is identified as, "Information Alpha..." Bravo, Charlie, etc.

At ATIS-equipped airports, pilots are required to listen to the recording prior to contacting Approach Control or the tower and must repeat the "Information (Phonetic identifier)" when they make their initial radio call eg - G-TSLC QNH 1021 Information 'Zulu'. Sometimes, the results can be hilarious...

The scenario: it was night over Las Vegas and "Information Hotel" was current on the ATIS. Mooney 33W wasn't too sharp, but he didn't let that stop him from talking to Approach Control.

Approach: "33W, confirm you have 'Hotel.' 

33W: "Uhhhmm, we're flying into McCarren International. Uhhhmm, we don't have a hotel room yet."

After that, Approach was laughing too hard to respond. The next several calls went something like this call to United 583 (which didn't make it any easier to stop laughing)...

Approach: "United 583, descend to Flight Level 220."

United 583: "United 583, down to Flight Level 220. We don't have a hotel room, either."

20.12.11


Today's the Day I did my QXC (Qualifying Cross Country Flight). It all began at 7:30am as the weather was looking favourable and the flight was going to take some time so start early and ensure finnishing within day light limitations. After drawing up my plans and route and weight and balance calculations it was time to book out of Bournemouth and book in at Compton Abbas and Exeter. Alas neither were answering their phones till 9am. A bit of a later start than planned. Never Mind, "The best-laid schemes o' mice an'men Gang aft agley," (for the non-Scottish - The best laid schemes of mice and men

Go often askew, And leave us nothing but grief and pain). 

Flying over the morning rush

The skies were a calling so I threw myself at them, failed misserably and then tried again in the helicopter to much success.

The flight up went without issue however the landing at compton, albeit aproach was fine and hover was fine, was fruity when it came to taxiing due to 24 knots of wind over the ridge. 

Arrival at Compton Abbas Airfield

Turning was a problem till I was moving with the wind enough to negate the wind speed and get round. I walked to the club building and was greeted by the girl on the right of the picture below. Its the second time I've been inton Compton Abbas airfield and both times they have been very welcoming and very friendly. I was even given a quality street sweetie on my arrival. Its the little things that say a lot. I signed in and ask for my 'proof oflanding' to be signed and was given the remarks of Aproach and landing - Well Done  and Over all airmanship - Excellent. Very kind of her. I paid my £10 landing fee and was asked if i wanted tea and was told they did really good sticky buns and cakes. (For the dirty minds out there - shame on you!(I was one step ahead)) i had to decline and only had time for a quick pee and then off again.

Compton Calendar Girls

Compton Abbas are selling calendars to raise money for Dorset and Somerset air ambulance service. Why not help and order yourself a copy. Only £10 and for a very wrth while charity.

I digress... Time for take off!

 Interestingly enough the take off at Bournemouth was in 4 knots of wind but 24 knots at Compton. A brisk take off and a quick thank you to Compton Abbas Radio for their help and I was on my way to Exeter. This was  a long trip. I was happy with my plan but had that shadow of doubt flying with me as I was doing this solo. But as I went along my track every mark and check point fell within a few hundred yards left or right of where I was expecting. Divine intervention!

Radio coms went really well as I pre empted the radio issues we had the last time I did this flight with my Instructor Carl. Transfered from Bournemout Radar to London Information and then to Exeter without any problems. This time i got a straight in on runway 26 which was daunting and funny as well. A huge runway with a tiny helicopter approaching. I felt like I was doing the airoplane challenge fomr the origional Krypton Factor. 

Once landed and shut down I went for a stroll to pay for landing (£21) and get my Proof of landing sheet signed by ATC. Once again the feed back was Aproach and landing - Well Done  and Over all airmanship - Excellent. Thank God for that. I was all ready to call for a taxi home if I had screwed up. A very different aproach by the ATC at Exeter as they had me orbit a few times before landing where as at Bournemouth they tend to let you go straight in to landing site. The differenc I guess between an airport with multiple helicopter operators and one with only visiting helicopters. 

Onwards and upwards again. Back to Bournemouth via Lyme Regis and a fly over a friends house which he is building at the moment. The round House. Its looking fnatastic. 

From there it was onwards to Tarrant Rushton VRP and into Bournemouth. on the way I flew over Cerne Abbas and managed to get a look at the Cerne Abbas Giant on the hillside looking menacing and aroused

Cerne Abbas Giant 

Once again the leg had all the landmarks falling into place where they should have been and I landed with out any issues at Bournemouth. 3.1 hours total flying. Tired at the end of it. When I got back to the office I was greeted by two good friends and Lifeboat crew at Calshot Lifeboat station where I was based for 6 years, Tony Carrier and Mark (Lofty) Laughlin. Tony had only just recieved his Helicopter licence through the post from the CAA and this was his first flight since getting it.  A massive congratulations Tony!

Filmed from my phone hence the poor quality

Right thats it for this post. QXC done only one written exan and just over 2 hours soloing to do then I can sit my skills exam or do my practical coms exam...Eeeek!