National CAA policies around Europe on busting pilots who bust controlled airspace (and danger areas)

Thanks Thomas, that made me laugh out loud.

I would add

• Random Radar Unit offering LARS. Specialises in providing “limited radar information service due to controller workload”. These are the only words you ever hear on frequency, until you say goodbye, then it is a cheery “freecall enroute”

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…

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:

• London Information: The classic ♥. Completely useless for aviatory purposes, but the epitome of British Gentlemanhood. Always very nice and polite even without being able to offer any help whatsoever. But they can of course acknowledge the tremendously important coasting in / out messages! I couldn’t resist to tune in every time there was no radar service available and was always expecting to be invited to tea and biscuits later in the day. Splendid! (They only got a little bit nervous when I was crossing between Stansted and London Central at low level. Couldn’t figure out why.)

• Scottish Information / Control: They are your pals! Doesn’t matter if on information or control frequencies, the guy or girl at the other end of the line is your buddy. No problem, mate!

• Random military field mini cheese bell CAS area controller: Bored shitles*. Always glad that someone is actually calling them. Clearance? Zero problemo, Mister! Maintain current track and level!

• London Control: Final boss. What are you doing on my frequency, little airplane? Go away! I can’t hear you anyway, krrrrzz, read you 2, call London Info an 124.6, bye bye!

I hadn’t seen that one, it’s a good one. I have seen several others much like it. It’s a genre

@Silvaire you may recall this homage to 1970’s middle management

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

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.