TDM, What is the point you are making because Im a simple chap - am I right or wrong?
I said "..at an AFIS aerodrome the only control is on the ground.."
Because according to the CAP797 (which I googled thanks to you telling me its title, thanks, 'cause I wouldnt know where to look this stuff up anymore), it says in full:
In granting or refusing permission under Rules 40 and 41 of the Rules of the Air, AFISOs are permitted to pass instructions to vehicles and personnel operating on the manoeuvring area, as well as:
a) departing aircraft about to move or moving on the apron and manoeuvring area up to and including the holding point of the runway to be used for departure;
b) departing aircraft required to utilise the runway for the purposes of taxiing, who will not subsequently vacate the runway prior to departure
c) arriving aircraft moving on the manoeuvring area and apron, following the completion of the landing roll;
d) all other taxiing aircraft intending to move or moving on the apron and manoeuvring area, including the crossing of runways;
e) to helicopters engaged in air taxiing for departure, up to and including the holding point of the runway to be used for departure or up to and including such other location on the aerodrome from which the helicopter will depart; and
f) to helicopters engaging in air taxiing on completion of landing or that have reached the hover prior to air taxiing.
Elsewhere on the ground and at all times in the air, information shall be passed.
So if I understand the above, an AFIS passes instructions/controls you regarding what you do on the ground, but not in the air....is that right? Its my decision to do what I choose once in the air on when approaching the aerodrome until Im on the ground? I have the impression you are a ATC bod of some standing, so Im not picking a fight, I just want to know if what Ive generally understood since I started flying in 1989 is correct in that A/G pretty much needent be there, they can only give you info. AFIS tells you what to do on the ground only, its up to you what you do in the air. Full ATC tell you what to do both in the air and on the ground and actually clears you to do stuff....
Its generally best to make a hole in the sky.......not the ground...