Skies Above Britain (Just ATC)

Link to full video: • Skies Above Britain AT...
Due to copyright claims I have had to trim this video down. Please see the full video at the link above!
In 2016, the BBC released a TV series called Skies Above Britain. As well as a look at various aspects of British aviation, the BBC were provided an unprecedented look behind the scenes at the London Area and Terminal Control Centre at NATS Swanwick. This video is a cutting together of almost every bit of footage from Air Traffic Control in this program.
As an aviation enthusiast, and working in ATC, I found this look behind the curtain fascinating and kept on watching these bits back. I have cut this together, mainly for my own viewing, so that you can see all of the ATC bits from this program in one place - no skipping or episode changing needed!
All footage is the property of the BBC, and I do not claim ownership of it. Thanks for watching!
Clarky

[@X17OMS]

Imagine just looking out of your plane window to see a typhoon flex its missiles

[@Valdismith]

"flexing those missies" hehe

[@crippleabatteries5031]

Typhoon, that’s your go to? Out of any jet with missiles you picked the typhoon? The F-15 can hold more than 12 missiles.

[@Jan-dn6jo]

@@crippleabatteries5031 Unless its all out war peacetime fighters don't routinely carry more than 4 missiles due to vibration flight time hours of the missiles, which is expensive. Basically the missiles "age" every flight hour and need replacing sooner.

[@crippleabatteries5031]

@@Jan-dn6jo Yeah but for air strikes, their ATG missiles aren’t very accurate so they bring extra. Tho with the success of drone strikes and the A-10s close air support capabilities. I doubt they use the F-15 for much other than support fighters.

[@crippleabatteries5031]

@Astolfo Desu Also there are things called MulTiroLE fighters.....

[@eyesickle2]

Great to see this! I am the Tom training towards the end of the video, although certainly more clean shaven now! Not sure what I was thinking at the time, all the training left me no time to groom myself perhaps! As much as I hate hearing my own voice, it's funny to rewatch this. Happy to say as of next month I'll have been valid for 3 years as a tower controller.

[@matty8227]

Omg congrats.

[@ClarkyAv]

That's awesome Tom! Where did you validate? 😁

[@eyesickle2]

@@ClarkyAv Luton :)

[@vampire99999]

Well done tom

[@nessa9752]

Hey ;)

[@richardking3014]

From a commercial Pilot in the UK. I cannot believe more people haven't seen this. I cannot thank ATC enough for what you do, the most incredible people! Thank You....

[@sarahs1635]

I will never cease to be so grateful and impressed by the skills of atc's. This was fantastic to watch, thank you.

[@horsenuts1831]

6:27 You gotta love somebody wearing camouflage with a high-vis jacket on top!

[@shrimpflea]

I often see hunters with that. I'm thinking, Make up your mind.

[@beth169]

@@birish21 esewweeweeeee

[@dionlindsay2]

Absolutely brilliant! I started watching this in the middle of a busy day and my scheduling is now all to pot. Wonderful viewing, thanks!

[@peanuts2105]

As a recently passed PPL, I really get to appreciate you guys more than ever. I have spoken to London FIS on 126.5 and Farnborough Radar many times. I always get a little apprehensive when speaking to ATC but when I do, I speak at a steady pace with diction. Every call I make gets better.

[@jochen_schueller]

PPL passed, FIS one trie six decimal five, Farnborough Radar, steady pace, continue.

[@shaantoor3329]

This documentary was interesting. Thank you for the time spent making this and uploading it as well.

[@jack.p]

That ex pilot nailed the dutch accent!!

[@foxiedogitchypaws7141]

Very interesting. I love flying and learning about all the things that make it fun and safe travels in the sky. Thank You all aircraft controller's near and far!

[@judithcovert7594]

I travel two or three times a year and have seen people treat others badly. The ATC and ground control at every airport in the world work hard in highly pressure positions. Launching and landing thousands of airplanes over a 24 hr period. Likewise the individuals controlling the airline gates for individual airlines have to handle passengers who often have no respect for what is being done. They shout at people because their flights are delayed or canx. Highly respect and thanks to those who get me to and from my destinations

[@sarahhall738]

We have a light aircraft take off on an old air strip behind our village in Suffolk so it now makes more sense how he gets up in the air.

[@danielsmith2157]

Wonderful! Thank you ATC and forces. I am so proud of you. 👍🏻❤️🇬🇧

[@piplup10203854]

I always have a deep appreciation on who watches the skies and gets the routes safe thank you! :D also I liked that segment in the button you can't just hit pause lol oh man imagine that it would just all go downhill xD

[@TheMerryPup]

If _one_ more thing starts pulling for my attention besides the single thing I'm currently working on I get stressed! Bravo to the men and women who do this day in and day out. Thank you!

[@n.heroep2786]

Nice work. It's nice to see what's the real main reason behind the delays and cancels. Now I got a better perspective, that it's not airline fault, but this delays and cancellation are designed for our safety. Too bad we didn't see how Tom's journey is when he finally sits in the control room and directing a real flight. But great work of cutting it to only the ATC part. We rarely think about your role, but seeing behind the scene, wow... it's a mind boggling. If pilots are in charged of the passenger's life on their own plane, these men and women are in charged with every passengers on every flight. Let that sinks. So thank you for doing such a great job of keeping us safe in the air.

[@nigeldewallens1115]

After watching this programme! I have even more respect for these controllers! To say it was impressive to see, is an understatement! The levels they go to, is just stunning! I just wish I could say a big thank you to all of them! Thank you so much for making flying safe today!

[@rachelwxo5623]

Wow wow wow! AT'Controllers deserve so much more credit than what they receive! Such a hard job that they are doing n doing it so well! Just amazing so they are x

[@DMWBN3]

When the typhoon pulled up next to the rogue aeroplane. That was a sight to behold with the fighter jet hanging off your wing!!!

[@leochampion6491]

This is something to watch at 3 in the morning

[@Back_Fire2468]

Yes

[@FSX239]

Sure

[@vrandon9369]

it’s 2:42am rn loool

[@fsvben7634]

Watching this at 3 in the afternoon lol

[@thomasdot7380]

Doing an incredible job everybody who's working there! Thanks from an airline pilot.

[@aarnage2189]

What are you type rated on?! 😀

[@RhapsodyOfJoy]

44:44 That gentleman's voice is so soothing. If i'm the one on the other end, i'd surely feel i'm in safe hands. Bravo, sir 👏

[@MrLabtec70]

couldn't agree more!

[@valentinforveille5962]

thank you very much for an atc enthusiast it's just awesome to have access to such a video

[@ClarkyAv]

Valentin Forveille I found myself skipping to these bits when rewatching it - now they're all together!

[@valentinforveille5962]

@@ClarkyAv that's perfect, thanks :D

[@jeova0sanctus0unus]

"We are controll freaks." I mean... your job is literally...

[@nigel8499]

Nerves of steel total focus and dedication. Respect!

[@betty5064]

There was a story going around Bristol, that someone picked the least foggy area in the hills south of the city for the airport. Once the airport was complete, all that concrete and no trees made it the foggiest area around. . . .

[@roxyraccoon8856]

Betty Dunn, Indeed and if some humans get their way, we will be exporting this kind of ingenuity to other, far less habitable planets. They're sure to want weapons soon, in case something sentient disapproves of that kind of progress.

[@EvieAviation]

What a job! Thank you for your hard work, and thank you for this video it was very insightful ✈️😊

[@sliferxxxx]

Awesome. Saying hello from a fellow air traffic controller in the US

[@ots.princesnag5439]

Yea

[@hsnse]

Wonderful documentary! Just gives one a sense of how massive the aviation industry is and the degree of separation of various activities/responsibilities involved. For example, here we see the subjects that occupy the minds of the guys at Air Traffic and Radar control towers - such as weather, number of aircraft for take-off and landing, etc - which are far different from say the pilots whose focus are on aircraft dynamics, passengers/cargo on board, fuel, holding time, cross-winds, altitude, etc. Compare that with the ground handling crew who are naturally oblivious to such factors, being busy with push-back, parking, cleaning the runways, baggage handling, etc. Then there is the landside operations dealing with passenger check-in, baggage screening and security. Very siloed, but thoroughly inter-woven bunch of activities. It's like thousands of large sections of diverse individual clusters coming together, co-ordinating with multifarious invisible departments running virtually non-stop operations, with very minimal errors. Fabulous! What an industry. That's extreme sophistication for you!

[@timmusumba5846]

Very true indeed!

[@vampire99999]

Air traffic controllers deserve every penny tough job well done guys

[@jamesevans938]

lee s except the french ones because even though they strike for more money they seem to always be on strike and not actually working and because they go strike so often it’s creates absolute hell for rest of the world so that’s why they don’t deserve every penny

[@vampire99999]

@@jamesevans938 I play atc madness 3d game that was made by a air traffic controllers and that's hard enough just a game so real life I take my hat off too you

[@jamesevans938]

lee s oh I’m not a air traffic controller I’m just stating that the french want more money even though they rarely ever work

[@vampire99999]

@@jamesevans938 yeh I know what you mean tho that's very true there always on strike

[@lt6466]

James Evans m m

[@davechapman7735]

BRILLIANT WORK to all those involved. cheers for showing us.

[@wallacegrommet9343]

Great production! Very informative and interesting

[@vasily2022]

ATC are often overlooked, but that's a tough job. So much attention to detail. Sad that those guys didn't pass.

[@travismurphy1481]

so true m8

[@91722854]

have always admired them, played a bit of atc game and already felt the difficulty it brings, but the brain being in ultra hyper mode to manage those aircrafts is sort of like gym training on the brain and exciting

[@DavidAndrewsPEC]

@mike A I agree. I know it's sad for them that they didn't get through but soem occupational/educational counselling would help them to develop a late Plan B to work on and enable them to have an enjoyable career. But, yes, lowering standards will inevitably lead to more accidents and deaths, since competence will be degraded as a result of slipping the standards down.

[@davecarsley8773]

I don't know if it's true or not, but I've heard several times in my life that it's been ranked the most stressful job in the world. Even if that's not true, I'm sure it's gotta be amongst the top few.

[@shaantoor3329]

ATC are often overlooked, but that's a tough job. So much attention to detail. Sad that those guys didn't pass.

[@GARYINLEEDS]

Love Learning. Thanks for sharing, shared.

[@jack.p]

I sometimes fly from North Weald, a couple of miles south of Stansted and I get constant warnings about infringing from the instructor while doing circuits, it's important to realise pilots take it really seriously too

[@simoncourtney1592]

and you have the luton CTA too

[@LewisMacdonaldMedia]

Literally this is the perfect video, well done compiling this 👌😀

[@markplane5994]

I can fully appreciate just how skilled the Air Traffic Controllers really are. I have my own system at home that receives ADS-B (Mode-S) aircraft signals and coverts the received data into a live radar screen on my laptop, showing flight number, aircraft registration number, aircraft type, Lat/Long, Airspeed, Altitude, Heading via an aerial on my roof, of which my house is the centre point on my screen . I have a range receiving of about 50 miles around me, so can truly appreciate just how busy it gets, to include Manchester, Liverpool and Leeds airports as I watch aircraft arriving over my house into Manchester, going North via Pole Hill, coming in from the Atlantic over Wallasey or coming down from or going up to Scotland. Mine is a ground station system that can feed data to public websites such as Flightradar 24, etc. for everyone else to see.

[@roxyraccoon8856]

Mark Plane Questions: Do you recall the total cost excluding laptop? Easy for a layman to duplicate? Easy to get the right equipment? If no or too high then I'm not interested but a few quid tor such entertainment is worth it.

[@markplane5994]

Mine is a first Generation Kinetic Avionics SBS-1, you can still find them on Ebay on occasion for about 100 pounds (UK). Most of comes as standard in the software, all it needs is your lat/long so the aerial knows where you are to receive the data But over the years I have modified the programme, to include operator flags/logos and also use the User column in the list as a sort of digital logbook of first sightings. When it was new it cost me about 400 pounds (UK). Have a look at Ebay for Virtual Radar (Kinetic SBS-1 or SBS-3, which was the newer version with all sorts of add-ons in the programming or a radarbox version.

[@roxyraccoon8856]

Mark Plane, Thanks Mate!

[@maverick4220]

That QRA exercise sent a shive right up my spine especially the bit where the pilot was like "I am instructed by her majesty's government if you do not respond you will be shot down"

[@roxyraccoon8856]

MAVERICK 42, "That's RIGHT Baby! SCREW your electronics problem, we're gonna shoot down your plane with children on-board." Sounds like "Maverick" is so afraid of boogeymen that his fear translates to cheering rather than being properly concerned about an escalating situation.

[@maverick4220]

@@roxyraccoon8856 Oh get over yourself Roxy jeez, God damn snowflake.

[@123TeeMee]

@@maverick4220 I imagine it was a bit more dramatised and simplified in this video, the right response to a plane like that will have been thought through well and a compromise has to be made

[@maverick4220]

@@123TeeMee Maybe abit but the protocols would still be the same.

[@lon3don]

They should knock on the window and ask if everything is alright

[@briancaldwell283]

God bless these women and men who do this job. Unbelievable resonsibility.

[@seanmckinnon4612]

Thank you for this!

[@benr970]

Finally started live training as a student controller and loving it

[@ClarkyAv]

Ben Rodgers where are you training?

[@benr970]

Carlisle Lake District airport, about 50 hours in but enjoying it. Slightly different to any of the ATC on this video though 😂

[@jacob8949]

How did you find the application process? I've heard it's quite intense

[@ClarkyAv]

Jacob Tudball the application process for NATS is quite intense, but it's nothing compared with how intense the training is. A huge amount of study, training and skill honing is involved because of the complexity of the job, but it is so enjoyable. I'm over two years into training and am live training at Swanwick with almost another year of training left most likely. It is a brilliant job!

[@benr970]

Clarky Aviation swanwick must be interesting what sector you on? I’ve just got a job at Newcastle airport for ADI can’t wait

[@cw8537]

Drinking game: Take a shot every time they restrict landing rates

[@2011blueman]

In the UK that is a very deadly game.

[@michaelbarahura6801]

Take a shot every time they mention it's the busiest airspace in the world.

[@philsaunders65]

Thank you very much for putting this together

[@incidentalist]

Oh man, that Typhoon pilot was ready!!!!!

[@MahendraYadav-pw1vs]

Well done guys for keeping airspace safe

[@1966Depeche]

Ice Men every last one of them !!! Dont begrudge them a penny of their salaries with so much responsibility - not just in the air but on the ground !!! Bravo !!!!

[@kevinwhitelightermusic2373]

I remember been on Empire State Building nyc at night see ing aircraft lights going in to jfk airport

[@jordanmensah2738]

Great documentary keeping me entertained during this pandemic

[@ClarkyAv]

Thank you! 😀

[@Romans116Unashamed]

41:54 i am proud of mt=y country Jamaica, and even in her absence she is still talked about and is still the epitome aviation sparks and passion for pilots and atc everywhere. i miss her #AIRJAMAICA

[@daffy1170]

Coningsby is one of my local RAF bases. Went there to watch the final flight of the Tornados

[@Zippyboy93]

incredible how much personnel there actually is to control the airspace of a single country.

[@MxWintersAFOL]

Not to mention the million + lines of Ada code that the computer system uses.

[@Mike7478F]

Fascinating. Thanks.

[@xyechenn]

Great! Loved it! Thanks very much!

[@ClarkyAv]

Thank you too!

[@surebrah]

So bright in that control room...

[@jeremyhaines4481]

This is very interesting and informative

[@louisehans9771]

The rogue airplane is probably actor Harrison Ford. He has been known to land at airports, even on taxi runways. Even crashing his plane.

[@laratheplanespotter]

Kelsey? :P

[@edilbertotemplo160]

The guy in the pink shirt with the semi shaved head is the one I’d want to be directing my STN-ALC flight 💪🇬🇧👍

[@Ashwin-zg7rt]

Probably one of the toughest job in the world with extremely high stakes.

[@donpeer9917]

Contrast British ATC speaking precision with "Kennedy Steve", a ground controller from JFK. Both get the job done using completely different styles.

[@Nickvisserarkel]

1:03 lol damn that side print though

[@piplup10203854]

Is there more of this? I loved seeing the work in action and the rigorous training to be an air traffic controller. I went while in the Navy but it just reminds me of how truly difficult it is

[@tbone3972]

LightningGmr Great difficult jobs pays more, but it’s a pain in the buttocks just to get in do to many exams. Once you’re in be reminded that your day may be STRESSFUL.

[@MarcusLeepapi]

Very nice....Thank you...

[@toddprifogle7381]

Sir ,Thank you for your service , Sir .

[@RossPatzelt]

i absolutely loved tha thanks for sharing

[@vampire99999]

I would love too visit a tower and see in real life what goes on and just watch the guys in action

[@kelvinsunnymathews4545]

Hi, I watched when I was studying. It is like what you see. Interesting, I saw it in a much slower airport. But same excitement

[@paulgarth7894]

Do NOT ask -- "Who is Ground?" ;-)

[@burritoboi6620]

UK: waits for infringing aircraft to leave USA: Send the fighters

[@carolprice9473]

And also big thank you to those who protect us

[@al4484]

Beautiful video.

[@mehdimukhtar6665]

Thanks to these heroes not highlighted oftenly!

[@Wendy-cx7ew]

Very demanding job this. Well done all ATC.

[@bazil83]

12:20 not going to lie - that's the most badass thing ever! It's like Doughboy from Boyz N The Hood lifting his shirt to reveal he has a gun tucked in his waist "we got a problem here?".

[@Steamy1223]

Fun fact: NATS Swanwick is london center in Microsoft flight simulator

[@michaelhard9692]

Brings to mind episodes of Breaking Bad and the stress this profession have to undergo, much respect to them.

[@mikewatte4478]

Guys search you tube for. The flight. Its 3 parts following one passenger jet from canada to germany. Really worth a watch

[@vasily2022]

Thanks

[@andrewfielding1342]

That is the brightest radar room I’ve ever seen! Bright light....Bright light!!

[@TheBarnem13]

Thanks for this

[@avid_simmer7873]

Nice Show!

[@Askaly]

Very interesting, thanks for the edit.

[@abdullabintalib4118]

I love this career

[@lreid2495]

Cheers for putting that together buddy. Is it worth (me) sniffing out the rest, for some resolution re the trainees? All in all that said, a pretty realistic take on the do or die (No pun :p ), ATC learning curve. Thanks.

[@ClarkyAv]

Thanks! I don't believe that there was anything further in the program about the trainees, however if you scroll down you'll find a reply from one of them - Thomas Finch - who has now been qualified for three years!

[@stgnats4538]

i cant wait to be able to apply for NATS training, im 18 now and ive been wanting to do ATC since i was like 6 and im sooo close now but covid screwed it up

[@ClarkyAv]

Give it a couple of years. Likelihood is it will take that long for aviation to make a significant recovery. Then there is likely to be a backlog of people already inside NATS training. But I can imagine that in 3-5 years they'll recruit again. It's a great opportunity to find a job working in aviation and/or air traffic (FISO/ Air-Ground at a small airfield), get some experience and gain the maturity required to work as a controller. Best of luck to you!

[@Sarge92]

46:03 can we just take a moment to apreciate the sense of humour atc have particuarly the PANIC button stuck to the side of the desk

[@speedbrake22]

27:34 nailed the dutch accent :)

[@gdwnet]

He was having WAY too much fun with those accents.

[@inezg1867]

What is the function of Panic button seen on Bristol ATC desk for?

[@AliBaba-vw7mo]

I assume the would have to use primary radar to track unidentified aircraft?

[@josephbyrnside7051]

I often go into Charlotte Mecklenburg ITN Airport and hear loud announcements over head that says "There is no ground sound volume on runways"...What does this mean? My family is a military family so we seem to see many off and few home.

[@blondeshauny]

National Geographic, 9/11 Control the skies about Gander atc on that momentous day is a magnificent watch. An extraordinary story told perfectly.

[@YouTuber-dd8pv]

Sucks for the other two guys who didn’t make it through.

[@AR-fy2qo]

Great dedication. Those that thumbed down could stop flying and save them the hassle...clearly these hard workers are pointless to them.

[@roxyraccoon8856]

RA A, It may actually be that they object to how it was presented. Or the sabre rattling for instance.

[@AR-fy2qo]

@@roxyraccoon8856 I liked the Racoons cartoon. Timeless.

[@laurenslife5811]

So interesting

[@aferdix]

*From the headline to the last frame, BBC documentaries are simply amazing. Nature, Arts, new technologies, Religions, people's life are always represented in a sort of **_"High Fidelity Mode"_** and this is the signature of BBC documentaries. They're all great professionals. They work with passion, and it definitely shows.*

[@dionlindsay2]

Administratively BBC is a pain, but my goodness they know how to commission good documentaries, you're so right there.

[@deonogorman928]

If I become a atc and do it from a tower controller will I be places in area and radar or what and what's this that's in the video area or radar

[@smailkhetri9819]

Good job

[@ljs3878]

First day at nats must be a dramatic experience.

[@kjkiefcakes1847]

Ohhhh this was worth it for that dude doing accents

[@MaxRank]

I helped build Swanick control center. Great project.

[@Chameshi]

40:40 Flight simulator Steam edition more realistic than I thought XD

[@dojando6003]

😂 😂 😂

[@sexynelson100]

My job was to meet these Jets at the Terminal gates and open the doors to disembark passengers I would also walk around the aircraft with the pilots and help to board the passengers on time.

[@Steamy1223]

I really want to fly for easyJet when I’m older

[@alejandrosuarez3058]

Where did tney get those cool headset covers?

[@ClarkyAv]

Somebody makes and sells them internally for charity!