LETTER OF AGREEMENT Between NATS (En Route) plc, Scottish Area Control (Prestwick) British Gliding Association (BGA) and BAE Systems Warton LATCC (Mil) Effective: 13th December 2012 1 GENERAL 1.1 Purpose. The purpose of this Letter of Agreement (LoA) is to define procedures which will permit ATC controllers at NATS (En Route) plc, Scottish Area Control Centre (Prestwick), hereby referred to as Scottish AC (Prestwick) to allow glider traffic operating under the provisions of this LoA access to specified Class A Controlled Airspace as defined in Paragraph 2. 2 Areas of Responsibility for the Provision of ATS 2.1 Areas of Responsibility. Sections of the airway L15 between MALUD and AMPIT, contained within the London Flight Information Region (FIR) (Class A airspace), are notified for the purpose of Rule 18 (2) of the Rules of the Air Regulations 2007 in accordance with the conditions laid down in this LoA. The lateral and vertical limits of the AMPIT Triangle area are as follows (see Appendix 1): Lateral Limits: 531956N 0033953W - 531855N 0031647W - 530812N 0031736W - 531956N 0033953W Vertical Limits: FL145 up to FL185 dependant on ATC approval. Airspace Classification: Class A. Scottish/BGA/LATCC (Mil)/BAE Warton (AMPIT Triangle) LoA 13/12/12 Page 1 3 Procedures 3.1 The procedures to be applied by The BGA affiliated organisations as detailed in Annex A.1.1 and Scottish AC (Prestwick) are detailed in the Annexes to this Letter of Agreement: Annex A: Pilot Responsibilities Annex B: Activation and Operation of Area Annex C: Co-ordination Annex D: Fall Back Procedures Annex E: Contact Details 4 Revisions and Deviations 4.1 Revision of the Letter of Agreement. The revision of the present Letter of Agreement, excluding Appendices and Annexes, requires the mutual consent of the signatory authorities. 4.2 Revision of the Appendices and Annexes to the Letter of Agreement. The revision of Appendices and Annexes to the present Letter of Agreement requires the mutual consent of the authorities designated by the respective signatory approving authorities. 4.3 Temporary Deviations. When necessary, the Scottish AC (Prestwick) Operations Supervisor may introduce, by mutual agreement and for a specified time period, temporary modifications to the procedures laid down in the Annexes to the present Letter of Agreement. 4.4 Incidental Deviations. Instances may arise where deviations from the procedures specified in the Annexes to this Letter of Agreement may become necessary due to an incident such as an aircraft emergency. Under these circumstances where discussions prior to the decision being made would not be appropriate, air traffic controllers are expected to exercise their best judgement to ensure the safety and efficiency of air traffic. 5 Parties to the Agreement For the avoidance of doubt it is hereby declared that the parties to this LoA are NATS (En Route) plc Scottish AC (Prestwick), the British Gliding Association, LATCC (Mil) and BAE Systems Warton. 6 Interpretation and Settlement of Disputes Should no agreement be reached or there is a request to cancel this LoA, each of the parties shall refer the dispute to the UK Civil Aviation Authority, Directorate of Airspace Policy for settlement. Scottish/BGA/LATCC (Mil)/BAE Warton (AMPIT Triangle) LoA 13/12/12 Page 2 7 Validity This LoA shall be effective from 13 December 2012 and is binding upon all parties. SIGNED: SIGNED: ................................................ ................................................. DATE: ...................................... DATE: ………………..…………………………. P Lamb Operations Director (Prestwick) NATS Prestwick NATS (En Route) plc J Williams on behalf of the British Gliding Association. SIGNED: SIGNED: …………………………………………………………. ................................................. DATE: ………………..…………………………. DATE: ………………..…………………………. J Whitworth Wing Commander OC LATCC (Mil) K Williamson Manager Air Traffic Services BAE Systems Warton Aerodrome Scottish/BGA/LATCC (Mil)/BAE Warton (AMPIT Triangle) LoA 13/12/12 Page 3 Appendix 1 AMPIT Triangle Scottish/BGA/LATCC (Mil)/BAE Warton (AMPIT Triangle) LoA 13/12/12 Page 4 ANNEX A PILOT RESPONSIBILITIES Effective: 13th December 2012 Revised: A.1 Eligibility & Obligations A.1.1 Pilots using the procedures in this LoA are to be members or affiliated members of the BGA operating from Denbigh Gliding, North Wales Gliding Club, Shropshire Soaring Group or Midland Gliding Club. A.1.2 The obligations placed upon individuals and organisations and the procedures detailed in this LoA are placed in accordance with Rule 18 (2) of the Rules of the Air Regulations 2007. Pilots following the LoA are deemed to be in compliance with this Rule. A.1.3 Failure of a party or individual to comply with the conditions specified in the LoA may result in the withdrawal of the privileges of the LoA from that party or individual. A.2 Pilot Briefing A.2.1 In particular, the organisations detailed in A.1.1 above shall, on behalf of the BGA, ensure that pilots using the provisions of this LoA are suitably trained and equipped to ensure that their navigation performance allows them to remain within the defined airspace detailed in Paragraph 2 of the LoA. A.2.2 Pilots are responsible for ensuring that they have been briefed and have suitable training, qualifications and equipment as detailed in this paragraph before they make use of the provisions of this LoA. A.3 Radio Telephony A.3.1 Pilots operating in the AMPIT Triangle must carry a serviceable radio and maintain a listening watch on the gliding frequency of 130.10 MHz. Pilots using this frequency are not required to hold a valid RTF operator's licence. Scottish/BGA/LATCC (Mil)/BAE Warton (AMPIT Triangle) LoA 13/12/1/2 Annex A Page A1 ANNEX B ACTIVATION AND OPERATION OF AREA Effective: 13th December 2012 Revised: B.1 Activation of the AMPIT Triangle B.1.1 The agreement covering the AMPIT Triangle as defined in Paragraph 2 of the LoA allows any of the organisations listed in Para A.1.1 to request the use of said airspace in accordance with procedures stated in this document. B.1.2 The opportunity to operate in the AMPIT Triangle is available to organisations listed in Para A.1.1 daily between 0600 Local and 30 minutes after sunset. The AMPIT Triangle is contained within airway L15 and has an upper operating limit of FL185. During activation the classification of controlled airspace remains Class A. B.1.3 The organisation(s) wishing to use the AMPIT Triangle (the ‘Activating Club’) will telephone the Scottish AC (Prestwick) Operations Supervisor to request the use of the AMPIT Triangle and specify up to what level they wish to operate and estimated activity times. The Activating Club(s) shall provide a contact number for use by the Scottish AC (Prestwick) Operations Supervisor if required. Note that more than one organisation may request activation for a given period. B.1.4 Approval shall not be granted when particular types of Non-Standard, NonDeviating, Unusual, or Royal Flights are operating or at times of intense traffic levels. Additionally, approval shall not be granted when an emergency situation exists or when it is known that the airspace may be needed for an aircraft in emergency in the affected airspace. The reason for refusal should be passed to the glider pilots. B.1.5 If the Scottish AC (Prestwick) Operations Supervisor is unable to release the airspace immediately due to traffic loading or an aircraft in an emergency, the Operations Supervisor is to specify a time at which the activating Club(s) may commence using the AMPIT Triangle. B.1.6 Scottish AC (Prestwick) shall provide standard separation between all other airspace users which are operating as General Air Traffic (GAT) within the associated airways and the active gliding area, i.e. 5nm horizontal or 1000ft vertically above. Glider pilots operating within the area are responsible for providing their own separation from other gliders operating in the relevant airspace. B.1.7 When Scottish AC (Prestwick) Operations Supervisor has released the AMPIT Triangle for gliding, holding at WAL is still permitted. B.1.8 The organisation(s) using the AMPIT Triangle will advise the Scottish AC (Prestwick) Operations Supervisor should gliding activity within the AMPIT Triangle cease prior to Sunset + 30 minutes. Scottish/BGA/LATCC (Mil)/BAE Warton (AMPIT Triangle) LoA 13/12/12 Annex B Page B1 B.2 RECORDS B.2.1 Scottish AC (Prestwick) Operations Supervisor, by entry into the ATC Watch Log, and the activating Club(s) will keep records of the activations requested, granted or refused to provide the means for statistical analysis of Triangle activations. Scottish/BGA/LATCC (Mil)/BAE Warton (AMPIT Triangle) LoA 13/12/12 Annex B Page B2 ANNEX C CO-ORDINATION Effective: 13th December 2012 Revised: 7th March 2013 C.1 CIVIL & MILITARY CO-ORDINATION C.1.1 Once the Scottish AC (Prestwick) Operations Supervisor has approved activation of the AMPIT Triangle they shall then inform the LATCC (Mil) West Supervisor and BAE Systems Warton of the activation, stating the levels and estimated activity time. The LATCC (Mil) West Supervisor will then ensure dissemination to the appropriate ATC staff. C.1.2 On completion of the activation, the Scottish AC (Prestwick) Operations Supervisor is to inform the LATCC (Mil) West Supervisor and BAE Systems Warton. Scottish/BGA/LATCC (Mil)/BAE Warton (AMPIT Triangle) LoA 13/12/12 Annex C revised 07/03/13 Page C1 ANNEX D FALL BACK PROCEDURES Effective: 13th December 2012 Revised: D.1 RADIO FAILURE D.1.1 Glider pilots operating in the AMPIT Triangle are required to listen out on the gliding frequency of 130.10 MHz for any instructions relating to its availability and use. D.1.2 If a pilot in the designated area becomes aware that their radio is not functioning correctly, they are to vacate the AMPIT Triangle as expeditiously as possible. D.2 EMERGENCIES D.2.1 There may be instances, such as an emergency, when IFR traffic may be required to transit the AMPIT Triangle. In such circumstances the Scottish AC (Prestwick) Operations Supervisor shall endeavour to close the AMPIT Triangle through telephone on the contact number provided at the time of activation and through relayed transmissions on 130.10 MHz. In emergency situations, the Activating Club(s) may be contacted and asked to make best efforts to instruct gliders to leave the AMPIT Triangle by the most expedient means available. D.2.2 In the event that it is not possible to vacate the airspace in the time required by ATC, the Scottish AC (Prestwick) Operations Supervisor may request position and level information (if known) from the Duty Pilot or Instructor to enable essential traffic information to be passed to both parties. Scottish/BGA/LATCC (Mil)/BAE Warton (AMPIT Triangle) LoA 13/12/12 Annex D Page D1 ANNEX E CONTACT DETAILS Effective: 13th December 2012 Revised: 7th March 2013 Name Scottish AC (Prestwick) Operations Supervisor Scottish AC (Prestwick) DTS (Alternative to Ops Sup) LATCC (MIL) West Supervisor Warton Radar Denbigh Gliding Shropshire Soaring Group Midland Gliding Club North Wales Gliding Club Number 01294 655 300 01294 655 301 01489 61 2417 01772 852392 01745 812062 (will automatically divert to a mobile if not manned) To be advised at time of activation To be advised at time of activation To be advised at time of activation Scottish/BGA/LATCC (Mil)/BAE Warton (AMPIT Triangle) LoA 13/12/12 Annex E revised 7/3/13 Page E1