In the UK, ATC effectively does that, since all operations require the permission of the airport manager and if he doesn‘t want an aircraft to
depart, he will bring ATC into the equation. It is all fairly absurd, but largely the UK reality.
In practice anybody at the airport can tell ATC to decline a landing or takeoff clearance, and this applies anywhere in Europe. I’ve had a landing clearance refused in Italy, for example, because the OPS staff claimed they didn’t receive the PN.
Ill give the guy a call. Anyone happens to know his name?
Digging a little deeper, it seems the guy to whom I referred left early last year – under something of a cloud.
I would call operations and either ask to speak with the boss or explain the circumstances and state that you’d like his/her consent in writing, just in case of a brush with law enforcement.
boscomantico wrote:
It is all fairly absurd, but largely the UK reality.
Wow, wasn’t aware of that. Thank heavens I don’t live there anymore…. I obviously was / am keenly aware of all the little jobsworths running around in hi-viz vests and hiding behind ‘Health and Safety’ BS.
but largely the UK reality.
Like I said, can happen anywhere. Europe’s airports are mostly not “public” which is almost entirely a US concept. You do have to due your due diligence, especially at times like this.
That said, ferrying and delivery operations continue without any issues. A friend of mine is working full time.
Peter wrote:
In practice anybody at the airport can tell ATC to decline a landing or takeoff clearance, and this applies anywhere in Europe. I’ve had a landing clearance refused in Italy, for example, because the OPS staff claimed they didn’t receive the PN.
Something at the back of my mind tells me at a public aerdrome this is not so. I accept in practice ATC will do what they are told, but I seem to recall only the owners can refuse a landing during published operating hours, and in theory there should be a clear direction from the owners on record before ATC refuse the landing. I suppose in theory the point being any little trumpted up administrator doesnt actually have this power. Of course the commander can call a Mayday and land regardless if appropriate.
I was refused a landing in France recently because I had not informed Customs of my arrival despite coming from another Shengen country (Belgium). I had missed a recent verbose COVID NOTAM. I had to divert to Marseille and fork out 150 eur or so. My passengers had to pass Customs. They had no interest in seeing my passengers and openly wondered why some Belgians suddenly appeared in their office.
This diversion also prompted both the Police ànd the Gendarmerie to conduct two complete ramp check, including searching our complete luggage and paperwork: all was OK, including our COVID paperwork :)
I’ve heard an aircraft refused landing permission because they hadn’t PPRed. I was approaching to join and land, with no problem as I’d PPRed.
This subject caused a bit of fuss at my local (large-ish) airfield last year. They had a NOTAM saying that during certain hours RFFS would be reduced and the airfield would be unlicenced. After being refused a start clearance from ATC we contacted the airport manager who was absolutely mindblown that we didn’t require a licenced airfield (not sure how they thought we were getting in and out of the nearby grass strips). It all became a bit messy as they insisted that the airfield was NOTAM’d closed, (when it wasn’t) and refused to accept there was a difference between unlicenced and closed.
