Introduction

Every cross-country glider pilot has an obligation to understand and respect the rules and regulations concerning UK airspace.

This section of the web site contains information about the information available to help you discharge your obligations in this respect.

The BGA is committed to helping all glider pilots in this area. Failure to respect airspace can have serious consequences, in particular for your safety and the safety of other airspace users. For the good of the image of the UK gliding movement and to help keep the freedoms that we have won, it is critical that all pilots do their utmost to ensure compliance.

Information can be found under the following headings:

The BGA would like to thank Chris Nicholas, Michael Cross and Kevin Hook for their assistance in producing this section. If you have any comments or ideas about what else should be included in this section, please send feedback.

NEWS

New UK AIS Web Site 11th May 2008

The AIS website has been redesigned and is now live.  The site has been re-hosted to the European AIS Database and features several improvements, developed in response to user feedback including:

• The UK Aeronautical Information Package can be accessed without the need to register
• NOTAM output can be ordered geographically
• Easier format for entering a date/time group
• A brand new ‘point brief’ is available.

Pilots still need to register to download NOTAM information. Users who first registered after 16 Feb 2008 will need to re-register. There is no need to register if you solely wish to view static data such as UK AIP, AICs and Supplements.

Mode S Consultation Latest 14th April 2008

The draft BGA response to the Mode S consultation and other supporting documents are now available on the Mode S Consultation page. The BGA urges all pilots to respond to the consultation to make sure that the CAA understands your views about the proposals. We believe theese represent a disproportional approach by the CAA that will give rise to significant burdens to individual pilots and to businesses, including clubs, that operate in the gliding area. We further believe that the proposals have the potential to threaten the fundamental viability of our sport. Details of how to respond are also available on the Mode S page.

The consultation closes on May 31st. Please respond - and please let the BGA know when you have responded using the online form provided for this purpose. Thank you..

Airspace Articles 3rd April 2008

Carr Withall, the BGA Airspace Committee's chairman, writes an annual update about airspace changes in Sailplane & Gliding, the BGA's official magazine. The BGA is pleased to make these most useful summaries available here for pilots' personal use only. Nothing in them removes your individual responsibility as a pilot to secure and act upon the most current airspace information available. The most recent summaries can be downloaded:

2004 Airspace Update 2.6Mb pdf
2005 Airspace Update 2.8Mb pdf
2006 Airspace Update 2.3Mb pdf
2007 Airspace Update 230kb pdf
2008 Airspace Update 121Kb pdf

Terminal Control North – Proposed Changes to Airspace 28th February 2008

National Air Traffic Services (NATS) have commenced the formal consultation on proposed changes to airspace over parts of London, southern and eastern England.  This airspace is called ‘Terminal Control North’ (TCN) and is amongst the most complex airspace in the world.  You are invited to visit the NATS web site where detailed information on the proposals is available, along with a full copy of the consultation document, a downloadable information DVD and an online questionnaire for submitting feedback.  The consultation began on 21st February and closes on 22ndMay.  The BGA airspace team have had informal meetings with NATS over the last two years to highlight our concerns and put forward our ideas over this proposal and clubs in the proposed areas of change have been kept informed.

Mode S Consultation 7th February 2008

The CAA has begun the next stage of consultation over their proposals to introduce Mode S transponders.  Their new consultation document, entitled ‘Proposal for an Incremental Expansion of the Use of Secondary Surveillance Radar Mode Select Transponders in UK Airspace’ is now available on the CAA web site. The new proposals, whilst acknowledging some of the concerns of the BGA and the thousands of glider pilots who responded to the last round of consultation, still represent a major threat to the future of gliding in this country. The BGA is currently studying the revised proposals but will certainly be calling on glider pilots to make their views known once again in order to help head off this threat.  We ask all pilots to continue to monitor BGA news sources and respond when the time comes. More details are available here.

Letters of Agreement Updated 14th December 2007

The Letters of Agreement page has been updated and now contains details of LOAs covering Luton TMA access (London GC), LTCA access during competitions (Lasham, Booker and Husbands Bosworth), Lyneham and Brize Norton class D access during competitions (any host club).

CAA Airspace Safety 5th December 2007

The CAA website providing advice for all pilots regarding UK airspace safety is available here.

VFR Chart Amendment News-Feed 1st June 2007

The CAA has added a internet-based news-feed facility to the VFR Charting section of the CAA website aimed at simplifying the task of updating CAA VFR charts. This service provides information on all chart amendments.  Subscribers can choose to receive the latest information either by Email or via RSS feeds.  You can subscribe to this free service here.

RA(T) Information Enhanced 24th May 2007

The BGA has published a calendar which summarises all areas of Temporary Restricted Airspace - RA(T)s - which might affect glider pilots. The calendar links to the Aeronautical Information Circulars (AICs) which provide the definitive descriptions of the RA(T)s, including the areas affected and the times when they are operational.

Many of these RA(T)s are established to protect airspace used for fast jet formation display teams. Gliders entering these zones present a real danger - to the jet pilots, to the glider pilot and to the thousands of spectators on the ground. A number of displays have had to be cancelled at the last minute due to the thoughtless actions of a small number of pilots. These cancellations have ensured safety but have caused disappointment to many. Do not underestimate the damage to our image as responsible airspace users that RA(T) incursion causes.

The CAA will prosecute pilots who enter these exclusion zones and, in the last year, the courts have levied fines of up to £3000. Ignorance is no excuse.

This summary is provided by the BGA in order to help glider pilots be aware of RA(T)s and to help ensure that gliders do not penetrate these. However, this summary is not definitive and it is the responsibility of every glider pilot to ensure that they are aware of airspace changes that may affect them. All pilots should check AICs on the AIS web site regularly, in addition to checking NOTAMs before every flight. Registration and logon is required to view AICs on the AIS web site. Registration and use of the site is, however, free of charge.

Tour de France Airspace Restrictions 8th May 2007

The CAA has announced that it will be establishing airspace restrictions (Restricted Areas (Temporary) (RA(T)s)) covering areas of south east London and Kent during the UK leg of the Tour de France 2007 on 8 July.  During the race aircraft will be filming and helicopters will be transporting race officials and guests to points along the route. The airspace over the route will be divided into separate areas with each sector being activated at varying times as the race progresses. A number of aircraft may follow the route whilst remaining clear of the active RA(T)s. Therefore all pilots intending to operate in the area of the Tour de France should maintain a good lookout at all times.  The sectors are Thames Gateway, Medway Valley, Tunbridge Wells, Tenderden, Ashford and Canterbury. A map showing the areas affected and the time that each sector will be restricted can be found on the CAA web site.  An Aeronautical Information Circular covering the restrictions in more detail will be published on 24 May and will be available through the AIS website.

Heathrow Flight Briefing Unit 22nd April 2007

The Heathrow Flight Briefing Unit has moved and therefore has new contact numbers. They have been promulgated by NOTAM and are as follows: 020 8750 2615 / 2616 (was 020 8745 3111 / 3163). Fax number is now 020 8750 2617 / 2618 was (020 8745 3491 / 3492). We believe the old numbers may be re-routed, but using the new numbers is the most reliable contact method.

Letters of Agreement Download Area Added 14th March 2007

To coincide with the introduction of Class C airspace, a new section has been added to this Airspace section. The new section contains the Letters of Agreement which have been put in place to enable glider pilots to fly in Class C from 15th March as well as other, existing Letters of Agreement. Where available, airspace mapping files are also available for download. Would all clubs please let us have copies of any other LOAs so that this resource can be as comprehensive as possible. You can access the new LOA section here.

Expansion of Class C Airspace 5th January 2007

The final stage of an important change to the classification of UK airspace will be implemented on 15 March with the adoption of Class C Airspace at and above Flight Level 195. As part of a harmonisation initiative within Europe, from this date Class C airspace will replace any existing Class A, D, F and G airspace at and above FL195 within the London and Scottish Flight Information Regions (FIRS). A UK AIC (1/2007 Yellow 227) covering this announcement was published on January 4th.

The Single European Sky harmonization plan for all airspace above FL195 has been planned for some years and was introduced in most states some two years ago.  The UK ATC authorities, both civil and Military, needed further time to sort out the considerable operational interactions.  This has been completed and on March 15th the UK will come in line with the rest of Europe.

The BGA Airspace Committee has been involved in this change as it has a considerable effect on those clubs where pilots fairly regularly fly above FL195.  The statistics from wave sites show that, whilst flights above FL245 are not common, flights above FL195 are an almost routine occurrence at some sites at certain times of the year.  It was essential for this wave flying activity to be able to continue.   The wave areas in Wales are almost unchanged under the new arrangements but in Scotland the areas are significantly different. Millfield has a sensible size area and the Yorkshire area has increased.  Northern Ireland also needed an area. Maps of all the areas are in the AIP.  Letters of agreement are being drawn up for all clubs regularly involved in flights above FL195.

You can view the CAA press release about these changes by following this link. Fuller details, including the AIC and maps of all wave flying areas are on the CAA web site (follow the link to 'documents').

AIS Info – Gliding Sites 18th December 2006

NATS have informed us that they have added details of gliding sites to their operational database which will enable clubs and members to prepare briefings using the unique indicator for their particular site.  The code is based on the BGA trigraph. For example, Lleweni Parc is XLPC and Aboyne is XABO.  Pilots wishing to use the facility need to register on the AIS web site. To access these additional airfields they need to register for the ‘Worldwide’ service.  Existing users who wish to change from Domestic to Worldwide service should email a request to the AIS Supervisor.

Airfields with an allocated ICAO location indicator have been excluded from this gliding sites list. AIS will not issue NOTAM on any sports aviation site, farmstrip, etc, which is prefixed with an X. An AIS document listing these extra sites can be found here.

TRAs to Become RA(T)s 20th November 2006

 As a result of European airspace classification changes, the current restrictions of flying, known as Temporary Restricted Areas (TRAs), that are put in place to protect events such as air displays and major incidents will have a new name from 18 January 2007.  From that date, they will be known as Restricted Areas (Temporary) or RA(T)s.  Pilots looking to check on restricted areas for events such as Red Arrows displays should look at RA(T) information.  This change is to avoid confusion with the new Temporary Reserved Areas which will be introduced from 15th March to coincide with the lowering of Class C airspace to FL195 and to bring the UK in line with Eurocontrol Flexible Use of Airspace definitions.  More information can be found in Aeronautical Information Circular 123/2006 (Yellow 225) that will be issued on 7 December 2006. More information on the lowering of Class C airspace will be published by the CAA in January 2007.

Bristol / Cardiff LOA 17th August 2006

The Letter of Agreement between the BGA and NATS Bristol which defines the permitted areas of operation for gliders within the Bristol CTA6 is now available here.

Mode S Transponder Consultation 1st August 2006

We appeal to all clubs and glider pilots to respond to the current CAA consultation on the carriage of Mode S transponders. It has become clear that the impact of the CAA proposals, if passed, will be greater than we were originally advised by the CAA and the costs will be higher than originally imagined - all for no tangible safety or other benefit to the gliding population. Please respond. Follow this link for more information about what the CAA proposals really mean to you, full details of how to respond, including suggestions for your responses, and links to various background documents. Responses must be received by the CAA no later than 29th August.

S England & Wales Chart 28th July 2006

The CAA has announced that a new version (Edition 32a) of the 1:500,000 Southern England and Wales chart will be published on 31 August 2006.  This is to coincide with the significant changes being brought about by the introduction of the new Bristol/ Cardiff Class D airspace which comes into effect at the same time.  Charts are available from the usual stockists.

Danger area at Credenhil EG D 216 1st July 2006

The proposals for the Danger area at Credenhil EG D 216 just south of Shobdon to become 24/7 and up to 10000ft has been shelved. This follows objections from the BGA and BHPA. We have now been told that the danger area will remain the same as it now, permanent up to 2300ft, with anything above NOTAMED.

Transponders 30th June 2006

The CAA is proposing to amend the Air Navigation order to introduce the carriage of Transponders in ALL aircraft in ALL UK airspace from March 31st 2008.  Available here is an article (updated 6 July) which has been sent to all club Chairmen and which will appear in the next S&G.   In this we ask individuals and clubs to download the CAA consultation document and ensure that your club and/or you as an individual replies. The BGA will formulate their reply to the proposal and this will be put on the web site by 31st July.  The closing date for replies to the CAA is 29th August 2006. It will be helpful if any individual, BGA club, or gliding business responses are copied to the BGA office at office@gliding.co.uk.

Bristol/ Cardiff Airspace 18th June 2006

The Bristol / Cardiff Airspace Change Proposal (ACP) has now been approved by the Directorate of Airspace Policy. The confirmed introduction date is 31 Aug 2006. The enhanced airspace will ensure connectivity for both airports with the en-route airways structure, whilst the ICAO classification D will allow VFR aircraft continued access. SIDs and STARs (Standard Instrument Departure / Standard Arrivals) will be published for both airports as part of the change.

The CAA will be finalising details of draft Letters of Agreement soon.  Both Bristol and Cardiff will be presenting a series of road shows to explain the airspace and its impact to the various flying communities.

Bristol/ Cardiff Airspace 7th June 2006

The introduction of the large scale changes to the Bristol and Cardiff controlled airspace as shown in the airspace article p47 in the April /May S&G will NOT be implemented until 31st August 2006.  The date may slip again but there will be plenty of publicity at least one month before the airspace becomes effective.

The Luton airspace change came into effect on 11th May.

Advice For Task Setters 21st March 2006

The BGA has produced a Code of Practice for cross country flying and task setters. The document can be viewed here.

MOU for Welsh / RILES Operations 9th March 2006

Memoranda of Understanding concerning flying in Welsh gliding areas above FL245 and in RILES areas up to FL195 have been posted on the Wave Windows page. Please note that the MOU relating to Welsh areas is a very recently updated document (posted 9 March) and superceded all previous versions.

New Controlled Airspace near Luton 8th March 2006

Two new Class D CTAs near London Luton airport have been approved by the CAA and will take effect on 11 May.    Existing Letters of Agreement between NATS and the gliding clubs at Dunstable and Halton have been modified to take into account the revised airspace arrangements.  Advance details of the changes will be published in Aeronautical Information Circular 47/2006 (Yellow 203) dated 30 March 2006.  Pilots should note that the 1:500,000 Chart 'Southern England' and 1:250,000 Chart 'England South' (Sheet 8) will not be updated to incorporate these changes until February 2007 at the earliest.  The BGA Air Space team was heavily involved in negotiations to reach an acceptable solution to Luton’s airspace demands.  More details are are on the CAA web site together with a map showing the new CTAs.

1:250,000 S England Chart Delay 5th January 2006

The CAA have advised that as a result of ongoing work to a proposed airspace change, the date for publication of the 1/4 million Sheet 8 England South Chart, edition 10 has been amended to 13 April 2006 (was 16 February). This tactical delay will ensure that pilots will be in possession of a new chart that reflects valid aeronautical data for the longest possible period. A full list of chart publication dates is available on the CAA web site.

Height Gain Logger Traces 3rd October 2005

The BGA Airspace committee are concerned that regulatory bodies are not aware of how much use we make of upper air space. If we are not seen to use it, we run the risk of losing some of the freedoms that we currently enjoy. To help our case, pilots are asked to submit logger traces for all flights over 10,000ft (and most definitely all those over FL195) to the National Ladder site.

Wave Windows 28th September 2005

Details of 'Wave Windows' enabling flying in category B airspace have been added.

NOTAM Format Change 19th September 2005

In response to demands from the GA Community and following a recommendation from the CAA, a significant change is due to take place to all pre-flight information bulletins (PIB) produced by the AIS web site. This change will take place during autumn 2005. All NOTAM within a brief will contain an additional line of text. This text is called the NOTAM Code or 'Q Line' and contains a comprehensive description of information contained within the NOTAM. Details of the changes can be found on the AIS web site

Airspace Articles 27th July 2005

2004 Airspace Update 2.6Mb pdf
2005 Airspace Update 2.8Mb pdf

The BGA is making these useful articles from its official magazine, Sailplane & Gliding, available for your personal use only. Nothing in them removes your individual responsibility as a pilot to secure and act upon the most current airspace information available. They appeared in the April-May 2004 and April-May 2005 issues and their author, BGA Airspace Chairman, Carr Withall, now adds:

Liaison with the RAF to improve safety

Many large clubs set tasks for their members with numbers of gliders approaching the numbers flying at a competition. Therefore it would be extremely useful and assist safety if these clubs were to send and telephone the liaison RAF unit at RAF Wittering with the task sheet and a good guess at the time when gliders will commence the task. RAF Wittering will then notify all units in the task area to be aware of gliders. Ideally they would like four hours notice of gliders on task. I KNOW this is difficult but do try your best. Thank you.

The TEL No is 01780 783838 ext 5002

The FAX No is 0800 3892223, marked for attention OPS LOW FLYING

Class D Airspace Agreed RT Dialogue 8th February 2005

A form giving the agreed R/T wording for flying in Class D airspace is available by following this link.

Airspace Update 2nd February 2005

Carr Withall, chairman of the BGA Airspace Committee, has provided us with an update on his committee's work, covering proposed UK airspace changes as well as transponders and 8.33KHz radios. The full article can be seen in the current (February - March) edition of Sailplane & Gliding and is also available for download here .

New Controlled Airspace around Robin Hood Airport (Doncaster Sheffield) 16th December 2004 UPDATED 5th JANUARY 2005

The first controlled airspace around the new Robin Hood Airport (the ex RAF Finningley base) is now activeduring daylight hours. This will comprise of an ATZ radius 2.5nm to 2000ft. (532829N 0010016W RAD 2.5NM 2500FT AAL/SFC). Full details are given in AIC 108/2004 (Yellow154). Key points are as follows:

• On 03 Jan 05 Finningley (EGCN) will have an ATZ radius 2.5 nm to 2000 ft
• Instrument approach lanes extend out to 10 nm on RW 21/03
• Departures will climb above 3000 feet inside 10 nm
• Arrivals will not descend below 3000 feet until inside 10 nm
• Air Traffic are keen to provide a service to pilots in the local area
• Licensed commercial operations are planned to start on 16 March 2005

Needless to say, as RHA gets going and passenger numbers grow, the airport will attract a chunk of Class D airspace. Until then may we suggest that all glider pilots flying through the Doncaster area and who hold a radio licence call up ATC 128.775MHz, Call sign 'Doncaster Tower') for a FIS/ATZ penetration to give the controllers some idea of the volume of traffic using the open FIR around RHA. ATC are very keen to provide a service for the Finningley area.

Comp tasks will obviously be NOTAM'd in the normal way, but direct liaison with RHA ATC would be a very good idea.

As the new airport develops, BGA will be in communication with RHA and keep you as up to date as possible.

East Midlands Airspace Changes 17th September 2004

The implementation of proposed airspace changes in the East Midlands area, which were approved by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) in August, have been postponed at the request of Nottingham East Midlands Airport (NEMA). NEMA requested a delay to the airspace change to enable it to carry out some further consultation on the proposal. The new timescale is presently unknown, but it is unlikely that the airspace changes will come into effect before March 2005.

French Airspace

As you'll be aware, the French have reacted to 9/11 by putting restricted airspace over sensitive sites. Restrictions can be checked out at www.sia.aviation-civile.gouv.fr - not all these sites are marked on French charts.