CRQ pilots..

Last night I went out to CRQ to do my 90 day 3 night takeoffs and landings ritual.

After the first trip around the pattern I was told that they were not allowing any pattern work.

When I called the tower on the phone I got the following explanation:

The FAA agreed upon minimum staffing level for CRQ is 12 controllers, they only have 8.
The 8 are working 10 hour days, six days a week.
Until they get some relief they ar not going to allow patern work.


For those who don't know CRQ, it is a single runway but it had over 200,000 operations last year.
I've seen weekends when the pattern had more than 12 aircraft in it, with 5 more ready to go.
I've also seen days where the tower just says, "we are full do not enter my airspace come back in 15 minutes."

I don't want the weekend controller to be tired.
We've already had one CRQ midair we don't need another one.

I'm not sure what we should do about this, but wrting some letters to the FAA? or to ?

It's been worse since the ILS died because the Jets used to always use the ILS,
last night on the radio I heard G-IV on left base for 24,

Paul

wrote:
For those who don't know CRQ, it is a single runway but it had over
200,000 operations last year. I've seen weekends when the pattern had
more than 12 aircraft in it, with 5 more ready to go. I've also seen days
where the tower just says, "we are full do not enter my airspace come
back in 15 minutes."

I don't want the weekend controller to be tired.
We've already had one CRQ midair we don't need another one.

I'm not sure what we should do about this, but wrting some letters to the
FAA? or to ?

It's been worse since the ILS died because the Jets used to always use
the ILS, last night on the radio I heard G-IV on left base for 24,

Paul

Paul,

I have not flown out of Palomar for several months, but I have also heard
the "come back in 15 minutes" several times. I have never seen a G-4 on
left base for 24. I know that is is usually quite the experience getting
in and out of CRQ.

Mike

--
Mike Flyin'8
PP-ASEL
Temecula, CA
http://flying.4alexanders.com

On Mon, 30 Jan 2006 10:36:04 -0800, wrote in
::


The FAA agreed upon minimum staffing level for CRQ is 12 controllers, they only have 8.
The 8 are working 10 hour days, six days a week.

I would be asking these questions:

How long has this situation of inadequate staff existed?

What is the name of the person who has the authority to
heir/transfer additional ATC personnel to fill the vacant
positions?

What is the name of the National Air Traffic Controllers
Association (NATCA) contact person with the power to bring
pressure to bear on the FAA to mover forward with the required
staffing?

Is the AOPA interested in getting involved in this issue?

When was the last annual KCRQ airport inspection actually
performed, and what were the findings?

How many procedural errors have been found to have understaffing
implicated in their cause?

...


If you're really concerned, do the research and contact those with a
stake in seeing the airport run safely. FOIA requests can be powerful
tools.

Congress sets the FAA budget,
The California DOT
http://www.dot.ca.gov/hq/planning/ae...file/index.php
also has a part to play.

Contact the FAA, your Congress and Senators, CalTrans, and
the AOPA about staffing and budget issues.


--
James H. Macklin
ATP,CFI,A&P

--
The people think the Constitution protects their rights;
But government sees it as an obstacle to be overcome.
some support
http://www.usdoj.gov/olc/secondamendment2.htm
See http://www.fija.org/ more about your rights and duties.


wrote in message
...
| Last night I went out to CRQ to do my 90 day 3 night
takeoffs and landings ritual.
|
| After the first trip around the pattern I was told that
they were not allowing any pattern work.
|
| When I called the tower on the phone I got the following
explanation:
|
| The FAA agreed upon minimum staffing level for CRQ is 12
controllers, they only have 8.
| The 8 are working 10 hour days, six days a week.
| Until they get some relief they ar not going to allow
patern work.
|
|
| For those who don't know CRQ, it is a single runway but
it had over 200,000 operations last year.
| I've seen weekends when the pattern had more than 12
aircraft in it, with 5 more ready to go.
| I've also seen days where the tower just says, "we are
full do not enter my airspace come back in 15 minutes."
|
| I don't want the weekend controller to be tired.
| We've already had one CRQ midair we don't need another
one.
|
| I'm not sure what we should do about this, but wrting some
letters to the FAA? or to ?
|
| It's been worse since the ILS died because the Jets used
to always use the ILS,
| last night on the radio I heard G-IV on left base for 24,
|
| Paul
|
|
|
|
|

wrote on 1/30/2006 10:36:
Last night I went out to CRQ to do my 90 day 3 night takeoffs and landings ritual.

After the first trip around the pattern I was told that they were not allowing any pattern work.

The ATIS states that ("due to staffing"). I was flying there yesterday afternoon
as well.
I usually go to Ramona for pattern work, because too often I had long ground
times, extended downwinds, etc.

-Joe