Airspace, Charts and Notams

David Close

As Cat, Mendip Gliding Club

Airspace

• Airspace is the division of the air into various categories of controlled and uncontrolled regions

• It is defined in the UK Aeronautical Information Publication (or AIP) with monthly supplements

• Available online at http://www.nats-uk.ead-it.com/public/index.php.html

• Printed copy not available

Airspace

• Classes A, C, D & E are controlled

• Class G is uncontrolled

Airspace

• Class A, e.g. London TMA (Terminal Manoeuvring Area) – VFR flight not permitted unless any local agreements on which you must be briefed

• Class B, none in UK

• Class C airspace in the UK extends from Flight Level (FL) 195 (19,500 feet) to FL 660 (66,000 feet). Both IFR and VFR permitted but clearance to enter required from ATC. Some local agreements exist, e.g. Aboyne

Airspace

• Class D is for IFR and VFR flying. An ATC clearance is needed and compliance with ATC instructions is mandatory. Control areas around aerodromes are typically class D.

• Crossing of Class D is possible with ATC prior permission. Must identify that you are an “open” or a “standard” class glider (see next slide). Say if unable to comply with any ATC instructions, e.g. maintain 3000ft.

Airspace

• Flying over Class D zones such as Brize Norton is possible on some days. Call up out of courtesy as the radar does not show your height.

• If you do not call they will assume you are in their zone and divert other traffic five miles away. You will not be popular!

Airspace

• Open Class usually delivers the top performances

• Standard Class includes the following:• Ka 6, • Standard Cirrus, • LS4,• Discus, • LS8,• ASW 28

Airspace

• Class E airspace is for IFR and VFR use. VFR traffic does not require clearance to enter but you must comply with ATC instructions. Usually minor aerodromes such as St Mary’s (Isles of Scilly), Barra (Hebrides)

• Class F was converted to Class D or Class G in 2014

Airspace

• Class G airspace is where gliding typically takes place. All aircraft may fly when and where they like subject to a set of simple rules. Pilots take full responsibility for their own safety, although they can ask for help, e.g. Radar Information Service (RIS).

Airspace

Class G

Airspace and Charts

Kenley GC located directly below London TMA

• A lot of constraints, does it affect us?

• Obviously yes, but we can operate within the constraints

• See charts

Airspace and Charts

• How do I know where this airspace is?

• CAA publishes new charts annually

• Two scales: 1/500,000 (or “half mill”) and 1/250,000 (or “quarter mill”)

• 1/500,000 most popularly used – gives the big picture

• Three 1/500,000 charts for Great Britain: (1) Southern England & Wales, (2) Northern England, Northern Ireland & Southern Scotland and (3) Scotland

Airspace and Charts

• Charts published annually in January

• Information up to date and accurate (?) when sent to printers

• Subject to change even before printed!

• See VFR chart amendment service at www.ais.org.uk for corrections and amendments

ChartsLondon Heathrow (EGLL) CTR (Class D) embedded within London TMA

London Gatwick (EGKK) CTA and CTR (both Class D) and embedded within London TMA

London Stansted TMZ

Airspace and Charts

• A Control Area (CTA) is the controlled airspace in the vicinity of an airport. It is usually situated on top of a control region (CTR) and provides protection to aircraft climbing out from the airport by joining the low-level control zone to the nearest airways. In the UK they are generally Class A, D or E.

• In larger-scale cases, a CTA is referred to as a terminal manoeuvring area (TMA).

Airspace and Charts

• A TMZ is a Transponder Mandatory Zone. Note that this is an add-on in otherwise Class G airspace. At Stansted it is from surface to 1500ft AMSL within which is a charted area of intensive gliding activity

• Look hard at the latest London CTR!

Airspace and Charts

Yeovilton Military Air Traffic Zone (MATZ) and stubs

Merryfield Military Air Traffic Zone (MATZ) no stubs

Merryfield Aerodrome Traffic Zone (ATZ)

Yeovilton Aerodrome Traffic Zone (ATZ)

Aerodrome elevation 75ft AMSL

Aerodrome elevation 144ft AMSL

Henstridge Aerodrome

Airspace

• Aerodrome Traffic Zone (ATZ)

• Length of runway determines size of ATZ

• Assume 2.5 mile radius circle from mid-point of longest runway and 2000ft AGL

• Less than 8 degree angle at height of 2000ft!

Airspace

• Military Air Traffic Zone (MATZ)

• Usually consists of 5 mile radius circle from mid-point of longest runway and 3000ft AGL

• Stub extends 10 miles from centre line, is four miles wide and extends from 1000ft to 3000ft

Airspace

• Gliders can penetrate MATZ – but NOT the ATZ

• Radio contact not mandatory in the MATZ

• Take great care when crossing the extended runway centreline outside ATZ and a MATZ as powered aircraft will fly straight for a considerable time

Charts

• Extended runway centrelines “feathers” for Instrument Approach Procedures (IAP)

• Please contact aerodrome if flying within 10 miles

Prohibited Area

• Solid boundary, hatched interior

• Similar in charting to Restricted Area but designated by “P”

• Only (UK) at Faslane and Dounreay (Scotland)

Charts

Restricted Area R153

• Active between surface and 2000ft AMSL

Danger Area D119

• Active between surface and 5000ft AMSL

Charts

Charts

• Restricted Areas

• Flight may be allowed subject to certain conditions

• Gliders can penetrate some Restricted Areas but not all

• R101 Aldermaston and R104 are prohibited to gliders for example.

Charts• Restricted Area R153

• Chart says active between surface and 2000ft AMSL

• No information on Chart for contact

• Detailed information and contacts from AIP as below

Charts

• Danger Areas

• Altitude can be very high or unlimited (UNL)

• Dangers include weapons firing and parachute drops

• Often subject to military bye-laws (shown by an asterisk on the charts, e.g. *D123 (East of Warminster)) therefore trespass would be an offence as well as dangerous

Charts

• Danger Area D119. Broken boundary shows activated by NOTAM

• Chart says active between surface and 5000ft AMSL

• Brief information at bottom of Chart for contact

• Detailed information and contacts from AIP as below

Charts

High Intensity Radio Transmission Area

• Oakhangar active between surface and 10,500ft AMSL

• Should not affect the pilot but may affect radios and instruments

• Some may affect pilot health, e.g. Fylingdales

Max altitude in the area

Lasham

Charts

Parachute Drop Zone

• Usually 1.5 mile radius although Keevil is 2 miles

• Do not assume NOTAM’ed, authorities only have to be informed on the day

• If no response assume active

Charts

Parachute Drop Zone

• Parachutists can be dropping from Flight Level 150 (about 15,000ft)

• Impossible to see until parachutes open

• In strong winds could be dropping from outside zone

• High risk of fatal collision … possibly both parties

Charts

Gliding site

• G indicates Gliders

• /3.2 indicates cables up to 3200ft AMSL

• Note Keevil’s altitude shown as 200ft AMSL, therefore cables potentially up to 3000ft AGL

Charts

Other hazards

• Area of Intense Aerial Activity AIAA

• Masts – top elevation AMSL and height AGL

• Windfarms – elevation and height similar to masts

Charts

Air Proximity (Airprox)

• Note exact, time, place, altitude, a/c type and registration (if possible)

• Report immediately by radio if feasible or else using official form within seven days

• If considering making airprox report or possibly there may be one against you, contact BGA airspace representative

Charts - Questions

Flight PRK-HAD-MEL

1. PRK is inside area denoted by diamonds. What does that area denote? What are its vertical limits?

2. In the NW of the diamond area is the number 21. What does it mean?

3. On track to HAD NE of Wells is a VRP. What is it? What is the elevation of the ground?

Charts - Questions

Flight PRK-HAD-MEL

4. Immediately N of HAD is controlled airspace. What category is it? What are its vertical limits?

5. Flying from HAD to MEL after gaining 2000ft AGL at HAD, where is my first airspace problem assuming I’m maintaining that elevation?

Charts - Questions

Flight PRK-HAD-MEL

6. Turning 193 from MEL to PRK what is my first hazard on track?

7. Westerly winds are forecast. What should I do?

NOTAMs

Notices to Airmen (and Airwomen!)

• Need to be checked immediately before flight (night before is no good)

• NOTAMs from NATS’ website (http://www.nats-uk.ead-it.com/public/index.php)

• Apps approved by NATS are available: Sky Demon and Easy VFR are apps with free basic functions

• Other apps are available including SPINE

NOTAMs

Categories grouped as:

• AGA – Aerodromes, air routes and ground aids

• COM – Communications

• RAC – Rules of air and air traffic services (airspace)

• NAVW – Navigation warnings (aerial hazards)

• OTH – other

NOTAMs

Content in defined sequence of seven items A – G :

• A) Q code plus FIR – EGTT (London) or EGPX (Scottish)

• B) Q code plus category, e.g. NAVW (see previous slide)

• C) Q code plus coding for computer

• D) Duration each day, e.g. H24 = 24 hours/day

NOTAMs

Content (continued):

• E) Reference number and description of the hazard

• F) lower level limit

• G) upper level limit

NOTAMs

• Restricted Areas (Temporary) RA(T)s – established for various reasons – look for Red Arrows, etc.

• Temporary Class A may not be penetrated (may be established for royal flights and visiting dignitaries)

• Temporary ATZs may also be established for race meetings, festivals and the like (e.g. Glastonbury)

NOTAMs

NOTAMs

NOTAMs

NOTAMs

NOTAMs