I thought I’d get used to posting topics and posts on my opinions in regard to local airfields. First! Some background information… EGNM is my local airfield and I love flying into Leeds on IF and in real life. Some fun facts about this airfield is it’s a single runway airfield facing 140 and 320 degrees. It has the highest airport elevation above mean sea level in the UK to my knowledge being 681ft or 208m high. Now the main reason I love landing at Leeds not only because it’s my local airport and has a very simple taxi system and less than 20 gates. Is also because the direction of the runway can pose some moderate to severe crosswinds which is always a good challenge on IF depending on the weather (being up north it’s pretty much bad weather 24/7 lol).
Now the reason for the topic, thank you for reading this far already! I’ve always liked the idea of controlling the airfields simple ATC network but with unfortunately one downfall. That is not many users fly in and out of Leeds. This is understandable given the vast amount of airports available and of course wanting to fly online with the airports that have ATC coverage on the training server (which I find the big one is usually EGLL). But I find the local airports really useful to those below grade 3 who are wanting to gain skills and knowledge of how the ATC controllers work and to become accustomed to flying traffic patterns and VFR rather than flying from point A to point B. Not only is this just as fun! But it gives users the ability to gain those important flight hours and landings to be able to progress further on the servers. Currently I can only access the training server for ATC whilst I brush up on my skills and hopefully get accepted to join IFATC in the future.
I’d just like to know who does fly to Leeds and see how popular it is with the community and/or if people would like to see smaller, local airports like Leeds manned by ATC more frequently?
If the community and staff here at IF are interested in such a proposal. I’d like the oppertunity to set a weekly regular ATC rota on the training server to have VFR flights and traffic pattern work at EGNM in the near future. Hopefully if this gains popularity within the IF community i’ll be making a social network page and group specifically for EGNM so new and existing users can benefit from having Leeds manned each week of the year much like how the expert server runs it’s ATC coverage. That would make me very humble indeed! Never the less you’ll find me on the EGNM ATC network on the trainng server a few times a week when I’m not flying.
There is no schedule on the training server so you can have it open whenever you’d like. Would you like to join the controlling effort on the expert server (IFATC) because it’s a much more organized effort?
I agree it is more organised! And pilots tend to adeer to the rules of the skies more in expert lol. I’ve had 2 attemps at the first exam for ATC with Adam. I’m aware we can only have one recruiter? Came close to the 80% pass mark both times I believe only have one attempt left until a six month cooldown 😅 I do try have EGNM open but never seems to be any arrivals which is a shame.
At some point in the near future I’ll be happy to help with making an event at Leeds Bradford, possibly with your help. It’s one on my list. It’ll help gain attention to this windy airport.
Great to hear! Hopefully I can get somethign going, and will no doubt ask you if I’m in need of help! I’m also out of likes, so I’m replying as a show of acknowledgement. 😅
Yeah, i agree. I’m a little rusty in parts but I’m sure there’s aspects I’m not fully aware of. Wouldn’t know where to begin filling you in really. Would just be good someone to fly a few circuits testing my proficiency and replies to requests etc
The training group pilots will comply with you, since all of the pilots that apply to fly at training sessions have to file an application and get approved.
I suggest you get in touch with a trainer in the link that Trio posted above, since you are in the application process for IFATC and have taken the written already.
Trio… Now come to think of it. IFATC and IF experts seems like a good place to learn and become active in. I did try IFAEGAF but at the time i wasn’t so active due to my work. That I am working on but i digress.
They are seperate but if you meet the requirements for the IFAE then you can join here, I’m a recruiter for them so feel free to message me any questions. :)