Just a friendly reminder to everyone that is planning on flying in or out of Gatwick (EGKK) this week. As we know Gatwick is the featured airport of the week and a NOTAM is currently in effect.
In case you weren’t aware the NOTAM states that Runway 08L/26R shouldn’t be used for landing and can be used as a taxiway. You also don’t require permission from ATC to taxi or to cross this runway, which I have seen multiple pilots ask for when controlling there this week.
It makes our jobs easier as controllers if you understand the NOTAM and procedure that we have in effect there this week.
There was a moderator (I think, callsign was purple, began with N and went something like N1-- ?) who just used 08L/26R as a taxiway and went to 60 knots so i assumed that was okay and followed behind at around the same speed. Will take note of this for the future. Thanks.
Just going to bump this again as I’m controlling there now. I’ve been here 20 minutes and already had 3 or 4 pilots asking to cross or takeoff from Runway 26R.
There is a big red circle around the airport called a NOTAM. Please make sure you read it.
Quick question in regards to using the out-of-use runway as a taxiway - would we keep strobes on in reality here - or turn them off and treat it exactly like any other taxiway?
I believe turning strobes off and using it as a normal taxiway is the way to go. The only real reason that aircraft have strobes on during flight and for crossing a runway is for extra visibility.
Since no aircraft are landing on 26R or 08L this week whilst the NOTAM is active, I would treat it like a normal taxiway and keep strobes off.