„Self-flagellating“ is a good term. That guy is really hard to stand for the, let‘s say, more advanced end of the private pilot spectrum. He rather represents the stereotypical, frightened, submissive, low-end UK pilot.
For example, at about 15:10, he says „we think of you [ATCOs] as gods“. One is tempted to shout „speak for yourself, dumba$$! Fortunately, his „reach“ is mostly limited to the UK…
On the topic itself, it shows yet again the ridiculous, fragmented UK ATC structure, with many „local“ airspaces (airport CTRs and CTAs) and the “master“ airspace, i.e. the London TMA, with both being totally disjointed.
On the piloting side: never accept such a clearance, even if the potential problem is 10 or more minutes in the future. Think ahead!
In the last twelve months
RobertL18C wrote:
As stated earlier, garden variety busts with extenuating circumstances are treated very fairly
I think it’s less a case of the severity of the busts and more to do with how you interact with them once they get onto you.
If you tug your forelock and adopt a suitably humble attitude then they seem to go easy on you, notwithstanding the ‘top-slicing’ policy which means that the severity of your sentence depends principally on how many other naughty boys were naughtier during the relevant time period.
What really gets them fired up and determined to screw you is if you dispute that an infringement actually took place. This is evidently quite common with pilots flying close to the lines using GPS (precise) and ATC using radar (not so precise). Even more heretical to the CAA is mentioning sub-optimal airspace design or lack of joined-up ATC.
I’ve never had anything to do with the CAA since my initial licence issue and long may that continue.
boscomantico wrote:
That guy is really hard to stand for the, let‘s say, more advanced end of the private pilot spectrum. He rather represents the stereotypical, frightened, submissive, low-end UK pilot.
That’s entirely deliberate.
If he behaved more like the advanced end of the private pilot spectrum and called out the appalling systemic shortcomings as he saw them then the authorities and those in the system would hate him. The ATS Manager would never agree to a broadcast interview, for instance.
A degree of tacit approval and support from the system is key to his brand.
boscomantico wrote:
„Self-flagellating“ is a good term. That guy is really hard to stand for the, let‘s say, more advanced end of the private pilot spectrum. He rather represents the stereotypical, frightened, submissive, low-end UK pilot.
Graham wrote:
A degree of tacit approval and support from the system is key to his brand.
Why do the British say ‘sorry’ so much?
(According to the BBC, that is)
“Our excessive, often inappropriate and sometimes downright misleading use of this word devalues it, and it makes things very confusing and difficult for foreigners unaccustomed to our ways” 
As the saying goes, the British are too polite to be honest and the Germans are too honest to be polite. I’ve lived it 
@Silvaire you may recall this homage to 1970’s middle management
I hadn’t seen that one, it’s a good one. I have seen several others much like it. It’s a genre
boscomantico wrote:
„Self-flagellating“ is a good term. That guy is really hard to stand for the, let‘s say, more advanced end of the private pilot spectrum. He rather represents the stereotypical, frightened, submissive, low-end UK pilot.
Very well put! But I’m afraid the typical German “low end” private pilot is not much better, for that instance. Request crossing the runway at this uncontrolled airfield, pretty please? I can wait 30 minutes for an answer, no problem!
On the topic itself, it shows yet again the ridiculous, fragmented UK ATC structure, with many „local“ airspaces (airport CTRs and CTAs) and the “master“ airspace, i.e. the London TMA, with both being totally disjointed.
But UK ATC structure is a real plus in terms of touristic picturesqueness! I really enjoyed all flavors of it last year when I circled this beautiful island in a sleek single-engined airplane made in Duluth, MN.
Let’s see:
Fabulously accurate
Thomas_R wrote:
But they can of course acknowledge the tremendously important coasting in / out messages!
For various historical reasons the British consider coasting in and coasting out part of who we are :-) Some pilots have been known to mutter “enemy coast ahead” on the frequency…
