LETTER OF AGREEMENT

Between

NATS (En Route) plc,

Leeds Bradford International Airport,

Scottish Area Control (Prestwick)

Doncaster Sheffield Airport,

and Derbyshire & Lancashire Gliding Club (DLGC),

Effective: 1st May 2014

British Gliding Association (BGA)

1 GENERAL
1.1 Purpose.
The purpose of this Letter of Agreement (LoA) is to define procedures which will permit NATS (En Route) plc, Scottish Area Control (Prestwick), hereby referred to as Scottish AC (Prestwick) to allow Derbyshire and Lancashire Gliding Club, hereby referred to as DLGC, glider traffic operating under the provisions of this LoA access to specified Class A Controlled Airspace.

2 2.1 2.1.1
2.1.2

AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE PROVISION OF ATS

Areas of Responsibility - See Appendix A

Sections of the following airways (Class A airspace) are notified for the purpose of Rule 18 of the Rules of the Air Regulations 2007 in accordance with the conditions laid down in this LoA:

Airway L26, L601, L603, L975, Y250, Y70 and M868. All areas are contained within the London Flight Information Region (FIR), east of the Manchester TMA.

The areas are:

Camphill Box

Lateral Limits: A. 532719N C. 531938N E. 532110N G. 531418N

0014617W 0011532W 0012901W 0012449W

-

B. 533017N 0011641W D. 532012N 0011840W F. 532002N 0013042W H. 531137N 0013631W – A.

Vertical Limits: From airway base to FL100 - Occasionally to FL190.

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L975 Crossing Area.
Lateral Limits: A. 533835N 0013503W - B. 534007N 0011937W C. 534627N 0011937W - D. 534308N 0011615W E. 534128N 0010358W - F. 533059N 0010932W G. 532845N 0013215W - A.
Vertical Limits: From airway base to FL120 - Occasionally to FL190.
3 PROCEDURES
The procedures to be applied by DLGC and Scottish AC (Prestwick) are detailed in the Annexes to this Letter of Agreement:
Annex A: Eligibility & Obligations Annex B: Activation and Operation of the Areas Annex C: Civil & Military Co-ordination Annex D: Emergency Procedures Annex E: Records & Contact Details
4 REVISIONS AND DEVIATIONS
4.1 Revisions to 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 REVIEW OF THE PROCEDURES
A review of the LoA shall be carried out 3 years after the effective date or when requested by any party.

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6 PARTIES TO THE AGREEMENT
For the avoidance of doubt it is hereby declared that the parties to this LoA are NATS (En Route) plc, Leeds Bradford International Airport, Doncaster Sheffield Airport, Derbyshire & Lancashire Gliding Club, and the British Gliding Association (BGA) Airspace Committee.
7 INTERPRETATION AND SETTLEMENT OF DISPUTES
7.1 Should any doubt, or diverging views arise regarding the interpretation of any provision of the present LoA, or in case of dispute regarding its application, the parties shall endeavour to reach a solution acceptable to all of them.
7.2 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, Safety and Airspace Regulation Group, for settlement.
8 FUTURE AIRSPACE DEVELOPMENT
Nothing in this LoA shall compromise or hinder the possible development of ATC procedures adjacent to or within the airspace designated for glider crossing, as shown on the chart at Appendix A, as deemed necessary by NATS (En Route) plc.

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9 VALIDITY

This Letter of Agreement becomes effective 01/05/14 and replaces the Letter of Agreement dated 20/10/10.

Signed

Signed

A Muir Operations Director (Prestwick) NATS (En Route) plc
Date:
Signed

P Gray Chief Flying Instructor Derbyshire & Lancashire Gliding Club
Date:
Signed

J Williams BGA Airspace Committee for the British Gliding Association
Date:
Signed

A Shaw Air Traffic Manager Leeds Bradford International Airport

C Kelly Vantage Director of Air Traffic Services Doncaster Sheffield Airport

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Appendix A Camphill Box and L975 Crossing Area
Effective: 1st May 2014

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Effective: 1st May 2014 Revised:

Annex A Eligibility & Obligations

A.1 A.1.1 A.1.2
A.1.3 A.2 A.2.1
A.2.2
A.2.3 A.2.4

GENERAL
Pilots using the procedures in this LoA are to be members or affiliated members of the BGA operating from the DLGC site at Camphill.
The obligations placed upon individuals and organisations and the procedures detailed in this LoA are placed in accordance with Rule 18 of the Rules of the Air Regulations 2007. Pilots following the LoA are deemed to be in compliance with this Rule.
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.
PILOT BRIEFING
The BGA shall undertake to ensure that pilots using these procedures are adequately briefed, qualified to Bronze C with a Cross Country endorsement or hold SPL/LAPL(S) as a minimum and appropriately equipped to comply with the LoA. This briefing should be given within the six-month period preceding the pilot’s use of the procedures.
In particular, the CFI DLGC 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 at Para 2 of this LoA.
Pilots are responsible for ensuring that they have been briefed and have suitable training, qualifications and equipment as detailed in this Annex before they make use of the provisions of this LoA.
Recording pilot’s briefing details - see Annex E.

A.3 A.3.1
A.3.2

RADIO TELEPHONY
Pilots intending to operate above FL100 in the Camphill Box or the L975 Crossing Area, using the procedures in this LoA, must hold a valid Radio Telephony (RTF) operators licence and the glider must be equipped with radio equipment which is capable of continuous RTF reception and transmission with Scottish Control on 133.800MHz, (119.525MHz, 134.425MHz exceptionally) as necessary.
Pilots operating in the Camphill Box below FL100 must carry a serviceable radio and maintain a listening watch on the Camphill gliding frequency 129.975MHZ. Pilots are not required to hold a valid RTF operator's licence.

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A.4 A.4.1

MET CONDITIONS
Crossing shall be conducted in VMC by day only. Gliders shall remain at least 1500 metres horizontally and 1000 feet vertically from cloud and in a flight visibility of at least 8KM at all times.

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Annex B
Activation and Operation of the Areas
Effective: 1st May 2014 Revised:

B.1 B.1.1 B.1.2
B.1.3

GENERAL
The areas may be activated daily between 1000 Local and sunset. During activation the classification of controlled airspace remains Class A. Sunset times to be determined by the Scottish AC (Prestwick) Operations Supervisor in accordance with times designated for Carlisle as stated in the UK AIP, GEN 2.7.
Scottish Control 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 Box/crossing area, i.e. 5nm horizontal or 1000ft vertically above the highest activated level. Glider pilots operating within the areas are responsible for providing their own separation from other gliders operating in relevant airspace. Where a specific ATC clearance is required, i.e. above FL100 in the Camphill Box and/or the L975 Crossing Area, ATC will pass information on known gliders already operating within that area.
Approval shall not be granted when particular types of Non-Standard, NonDeviating, Unusual or Royal Flights are scheduled. 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 (not Royal Flights).

B.2 B.2.1 B.2.2
B.2.3

ACTIVATION AND OPERATION OF THE CAMPHILL BOX
An area within L26, M868 L601 and L603, east of the MTMA, is established as the Camphill Box for use by DLGC gliders only. Normal operating upper limit is to be FL100. Periodically individual gliders may request ATC clearance to extend their upper limit to a maximum of FL190.
DLGC shall contact the Scottish AC (Prestwick) Operations Supervisor by telephone requesting the use of the Camphill Box, at least 30 minutes prior to the requested activation time.
The Scottish AC (Prestwick) Operations Supervisor is required to notify LATCC (Mil), Doncaster Sheffield, Leeds and Manchester Airports of the times and levels prior to granting approval. Subject to this, approval may be granted immediately or a time stated when glider entry is acceptable subject to traffic and controller workload at the time.
Because FL100 and above is within CAS, when the Camphill Box is active above FL100, sector controllers are required to provide traffic with either 1000ft vertical separation above the highest known glider activity level or ensure traffic remains 5nm laterally away from the Box. Note: No attempt will be made to cross GAT traffic beneath the Box during activation.

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B.2.4 B.2.5 B.2.6 B.2.7
B.2.8 B.2.9

The Leeds DOPEK and LAMIX SIDs are not laterally separated by 5nm from the Camphill Box. When the Box is activated the PC East Planner is to issue Take Off Subject Radar and provide a tactical routing to any Leeds DOPEK and LAMIX SIDs to remain 5nm separated from the Camphill Box.
The Doncaster UPTON 1A SID (Runway 20) is not laterally separated by 5nm from the Camphill Box. When the Box is activated the PC East Planner is to tactically replace an UPTON 1A SID with UPTON 1B.
Whilst in the Camphill Box at or below FL100 gliders are to monitor the gliding frequency 129.975MHz.
If the pilot of a glider in the Camphill Box wishes to go higher than FL100, the pilot must call Scottish Control on 133.800MHz to request a specific ATC clearance before climbing above FL100. Gliders will require individual ATC clearances and will be responsible for their own separation from other gliders.
Glider callsign to be preceded by the word 'glider'.
Whilst in the Camphill Box above FL100, the glider pilot shall continuously monitor the ATC frequency 133.800MHz and report when finally descending through FL100. Following an acknowledgement from ATC, the glider pilot is to revert back to the gliding frequency 129.975MHz.
DLGC is to inform the Scottish AC (Prestwick) Operations Supervisor when all gliders have vacated the Box. The airspace will then be returned for use by GAT traffic. The PC Operations Supervisor shall notify W2 LAS, LATCC (Mil), Doncaster Sheffield, Leeds and Manchester Airports.

B.3 B.3.1 B.3.1.1 B.3.1.2 B.3.1.3
B.3.2

ACTIVATION AND OPERATION OF THE L975 CROSSING AREA
The L975 Crossing Area is within airways L975 and Y70 (FL125+) to the north of UPTON.
Gliders intending to transit the crossing area shall request activation by contacting Scottish Control on 133.800MHz.
Pilots shall provide a minimum of 5 minutes notice prior to the request activation.
Maximum activation level is normally up to FL120. Up to FL190 may be approved as determined by ATC in accordance with the traffic situation at the time, which may then result in entry to Y70 to the north of UPTON.
All references to the glider's position shall be in relation to UPTON.
Approval shall not be granted when:
i) A Royal Flight exists or is pending in L975/Y70 [east of the MTMA].
ii) An emergency situation exists.
iii) When it is known that the airspace may be needed for an aircraft in emergency.
iv) When traffic density and/or complexity precludes issuing a clearance.

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B.3.3 B.3.4 B.3.5
B.3.6
B.3.7 B.3.8 B.4 B.4.1
B.4.2

v) When military operations preclude it.
vi)Any times that Leeds Airport are non-radar or runway 32 and SSR only, except with the agreement of Leeds Approach.
The reason for refusal should be passed to the glider pilot.
When the crossing area is active, Scottish AC (Prestwick) East Sector shall notify Leeds and Doncaster Radar and the DOPEX/LAMIX and UPTON SIDs shall be suspended. Aircraft departing on these SIDs will be subject to individual clearance from PC East sector to remain clear of the crossing area.
Scottish AC (Prestwick) East Sector is to cancel silent releases from the west into Doncaster Sheffield and from the east into Leeds whilst a glider is within the Crossing Area. Aircraft shall be subject to an individual release.
When the crossing area is active, Scottish AC (Prestwick) shall provide 5nm lateral separation from the crossing area boundary or 1000ft vertical separation above the highest cleared gliding level. Note: No attempt will be made to cross GAT traffic beneath the Crossing Area during activation.
Glider pilots operating within the crossing area are responsible for providing their own separation from other gliders. ATC will pass information to a glider entering the crossing area on known gliders already operating within the crossing area. The ATC clearance to transit the crossing area is for that specific glider only.
A maximum of three gliders only will be permitted within the crossing area at any one time.
Glider callsign to be preceded by the word 'glider'.
RTF PHRASEOLOGY
When requesting activation of the L975 Crossing Area, the following RTF phraseology should be used:
“Scottish Control, Glider (callsign) request activation of L975 crossing area in 5 minutes at time (UTC). Crossing duration (Estimated crossing time in minutes)”.
e.g. “Scottish Control this is Glider Delta Alpha Papa request activation of the L975 crossing area. Estimating southern edge in 5 minutes at 1215 UTC. Crossing duration 15 minutes”.
The controller shall note the relevant details on the flight strip and acknowledge the request as follows:
“Glider (callsign), Scottish Control, Roger, remain outside Controlled Airspace, time check ........... “
Or
“Glider (callsign), Scottish Control, unable to provide crossing clearance due traffic. Remain outside Controlled Airspace, time check .......... Recall in 10 minutes.“

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B.4.3 B.4.4 B.4.5
B.4.6

When the Glider is in a position to enter the crossing area, the glider pilot shall request clearance to cross Airway L975:
“Scottish Control, Glider (callsign) request crossing clearance Airway L975.”
The controller shall confirm activation taking into account air traffic and other circumstances as follows:
“Glider (callsign), Scottish Control is clear to cross Airway L975, not above FL100 (up to FL190), report entering and leaving”.
The glider pilot shall read back clearance issued.
The glider pilot shall report entering the crossing area. The phraseology to be used is:
“Scottish Control, Glider (callsign) entering L975, not above FL100”.
The controller shall acknowledge the pilot’s transmission and annotate the flight strip accordingly.
If no acknowledgement is received from ATC, the glider pilot shall leave the area by the most expeditious means possible and remain clear of Controlled Airspace.
The PC Sector Planner is to inform Leeds and Doncaster Radar of the times and levels whenever the Crossing Area becomes active and then when the crossing area is deactivated.

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Annex C Civil & Military Coordination

Effective: 1st May 2014 Revised:

C.1 C.1.1
C.1.2

GENERAL
Upon granting approval for gliders to enter the designated airspace, the Scottish AC (Prestwick) Operations Supervisor is to inform the LATCC (Mil) East Supervisor of the pending activity, including the times. The LATCC (Mil) East Supervisor is to ensure that the relevant military consoles are notified.
On completion of the activation the Scottish AC (Prestwick) Operations Supervisor shall inform the LATCC (Mil) East Supervisor.

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Annex D Emergency Procedures

Effective: 1st May 2014 Revised:

D.1

RADIO FAILURE

D.1.1

Pilots not in receipt of an ATC clearance to enter the crossing area and who experience actual or suspected Radio Failure shall not enter any of the areas.

D.1.2

Pilots in receipt of a clearance to enter the Camphill Box above FL100 or the L975 Crossing Area must report entering. However, if no acknowledgement by ATC of the glider entry call is obtained by the glider pilot, and after further attempt to contact ATC has been unsuccessful, the pilot shall vacate the area.

D.1.3

Not less than 10 minutes after the expected entry time and provided that attempts have been made by ATC to contact the pilot, ATC shall deem that the area has not been activated.

D.1.4

Pilots operating within the areas who experience actual or suspected Radio Failure shall ensure that they have vacated controlled airspace at the earliest opportunity. In the case of the L975 Crossing Area, ATC shall deem the relevant crossing area vacated based on the time stated by the glider pilot on entering, plus the estimated crossing time which was passed to ATC, plus 10 minutes. Example: glider reported entering at 1215 (UTC), duration 15 minutes, plus 10 minutes therefore area deemed vacated at 1240 UTC.

D.1.5

Pilots should report any RTF failure as soon as possible to the Scottish AC (Prestwick) Operations Supervisor, either direct or via DLGC. If this is not practicable, then immediately after landing. Scottish AC (Prestwick) shall not take any Alerting Action in respect of gliders suffering communications difficulties unless information is received which indicates that action is required. Alerting Action responsibility shall be undertaken by DLGC.

D.2 D.2.1
D.2.2

EMERGENCIES
In emergency situations, a pilot may be asked to leave the crossing area by the most expedient means available. The pilot should provide the controller with an estimate of the time needed to accomplish this and report when vacated.
In the event that it is not possible to vacate the airspace in the time required by ATC, the controller may request position and level information from the glider pilot to enable essential traffic information to be passed to both parties.

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Annex E Records and Contact Details

Effective: 1st May 2014 Revised:

E.1 E.1.1
E.1.2

RECORDS
Scottish AC (Prestwick) Operations Supervisor, Leeds Bradford ATC, Doncaster ATC and the DLGC will keep records of the activations requested, granted or refused to provide the means for statistical analysis of crossing area operations.
The CFI DLGC shall keep relevant records of all pilots briefed and authorised to use these procedures, in particular; name and date of briefing.

E.2

CONTACT TELEPHONE NUMBERS

Name

Scottish AC (Prestwick) Operations Supervisor

Scottish AC (Prestwick) Ops Sup Alternative

CFI, DLGC

Camphill Bus (manned during flying) Club Office
Gliding Club House

Number 01294 65 5300
01294 65 5301 01246 206856 07884 308088
07977 850208 01298 871270 01298 871207

ATS Manager Doncaster Sheffield Airport

0151 907 1523

ATS Manager, Leeds Bradford Airport

0113-391-3207

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