MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING London Area Control (Swanwick) (LAC), Cardiff ATC between and British Gliding Association (BGA) and LATCC(Mil) Effective:7th March 2013 CONCERNING PROCEDURES TO ACTIVATE RILES GLIDING AREAS UP TO FL195 1 PURPOSE The purpose of this Memorandum of Understanding is to define the co-ordination procedures to be applied between member clubs of the British Gliding Association (BGA), London Area Control(Swanwick) (LAC), LATCC(Mil) and Cardiff ATC, to permit gliding to take place in RILES Gliding Areas up to FL195. These procedures are supplementary to those specified in ICAO, Eurocontrol and/or National documents. 2 DEFINITIONS FOR GENERAL AIR TRAFFIC AND OPERATIONAL AIR TRAFFIC 2.1 General Air Traffic (GAT): “Flights conducted in accordance with the rules and provisions of ICAO.” 2.2 Operational Air Traffic (OAT): “Flights which do not comply with the provisions stated for GAT and for which rules and procedures have been specified by appropriate authorities.” 3 GENERAL 3.1 RILES Gliding Areas are defined by the following co-ordinates: MADLEY BOX FL145 – FL195 520734N 0025745W 520713N 0024629W 515640N 0024727W 515701N 0025833W 520734N 0025745W _________________________________________________________________________________________________________ LACC/Cardiff/BGA MoU 07/03/13 Page 1 of 7 RAGLAN BOX FL105 – FL195 515701N 0025856W 5156401N 0024727W 515043N 0024759W 515154N 0025856W 515701N0025833W BUFFER ZONE FL105 – FL195 N5207.12 W00246.24 N5212.13 W00245.59 N5212.46 W00305.29 N5147.44 W00307.26 N5145.39 W00248.14 N5150.40 W00247.48 N5151.53 W00259.01 N5207.34 W00257.44 N864 FL145 FL145 N862 D208/23000' (Ocnl 50000') RILES GLIDING AREA D216/2300' (Ocnl 10000’) MEDOGFL1T2A5 LGA D147/ 10000' FL95 RILES FL105 TOPRO FL75 DIKAS L180 DOBEM BEKSA RFILL7E5S GLIDINBGCANREAS PERUP MADLEY BOX (FL145-FL195) RANGULMANPOBOX (FL10A5L-VFILN195) MOSUN N14 L9 5nm BUFFER ZONE WOTAN CHANGE: RILES GLIDING AREA MATS0019 02.11.05 EFFECTIVE 16.03.06 3.2.1 The following member clubs of the BGA are permitted to operate in RILES Gliding Areas: Bristol and Gloucestershire Gliding Club _________________________________________________________________________________________________________ LACC/Cardiff/BGA MoU 07/03/13 Page 2 of 7 South Wales Gliding Club (Usk) Cotswold Gliding Club (Aston Down) Midland Gliding Club Herefordshire Gliding Club Black Mountains Gliding Club 3.3 Affected Airspace 3.3.1 The affected airspace is that portion of Airway N862, L9, N864 and L180 that is within the RILES gliding Areas and the associated buffer zone. 4 4.1 4.1.1 4.1.2 4.1.3 PROCEDURES Activity up to FL145 The Duty pilot at the club where the gliders will take off from will initiate a request to the Cardiff ATC (Watch Manager/Senior Controller On Duty) 1 hour in advance of the intended flight, advising the intention to use RAGLAN Box up to FL145 and to confirm the following details: • the area concerned • the upper limit in terms of a Flight level and not an altitude amsl • expected launch time and location of launch site, time of entry into and duration within Class A airspace • the number of gliders and associated callsigns • name and telephone contact number Activation of the requested areas will only be initiated by the Watch Manager/SCOD when he has authorised the activity. Cardiff ATC are to inform the pilot, with the reason and a permitted time when activation will be allowed, if applicable. Watch Manager Cardiff ATC/SCOD to inform the LAC Local Area Supervisor West (LAS West) and LATCC(Mil) West Supervisor that RAGLAN Box is active, stating the upper limit, start time and duration of expected activity. 4.2 Activity up to FL195 4.2.1 The Duty pilot at the club where the gliders will take off from will initiate a request to the Cardiff Air Traffic Control (Watch Manager/SCOD) 1 hour in advance of the intended flight, advising the intention to use RAGLAN and/or MADLEY Boxes up to flight level 195 and to confirm the following details: • the area concerned • the upper limit in terms of a Flight level and not an altitude amsl • expected launch time and location of launch site, time of entry into and duration in Class A airspace • the number of gliders and associated callsigns • name and telephone contact number 4.2.2 Cardiff ATC Watch Manager/SCOD shall inform the LACC Local Area Supervisor West (LAS West) 1 hour in advance of the intended flight, advising the intention to use MADLEY and/or RAGLAN Boxes up to flight level 195 and to confirm the following details: • the area concerned • the upper limit in terms of a Flight level and not an altitude amsl • expected launch time and location of launch site, time of entry into and duration in Class A airspace • the number of gliders and associated callsigns • name and telephone contact number _________________________________________________________________________________________________________ LACC/Cardiff/BGA MoU 07/03/13 Page 3 of 7 4.2.3 4.3 4.4 4.5 4.6 LAC LAS (W) will inform the LAC Watch Supervisor and LATCC(Mil) West Supervisor of activity above FL145. Activation of the requested areas will only be initiated when the LAS West has authorised the activity. Cardiff ATC are to inform the pilot, with the reason and a permitted time when activation will be allowed, if applicable. The glider pilot on passing FL120 will establish 2-way RTF contact with Cardiff ATC on frequency 125.85 in the climb and will remain in RTF contact with Cardiff ATC regardless of the activation level and will report leaving the activated area in the descent. During the period of gliding activity up to FL195, LAC & Cardiff controllers shall ensure that aircraft on N862, N864, L180 and L9 at or below the maximum level notified remain clear of the of the buffer zone laterally or vertically. If demand is high, to save RT the Cardiff Watch manager/SCOD may elect to activate the Gliding Boxes for a period of time, for a maximum time of 2 hours. When the Boxes are activated for a defined period RT checks in the climb and descent are not to be made. At the time activation finishes all gliders are to be clear of controlled airspace. Cardiff ATC Watch Manager/SCOD shall inform the LAC LAS West on completion of all gliding activity regardless of the activation level. 5 Equipment 5.1 Gliders must be equipped with radios appropriate for the task, GPS to assist navigation and must remain within the confines of the RILES Gliding Boxes at all times. 6 RADIO FAILURE 6.1 Pilots in receipt of a clearance to enter controlled airspace who experience actual or suspected Radio Failure prior to entering shall not enter controlled airspace. 6.2 Pilots operating within controlled airspace experiencing actual or suspected Radio Failure shall vacate controlled airspace by descent and land at a gliding club as soon as possible. 6.3 Pilots are to report any RTF failure to Cardiff ATC as soon as practicable after landing. 7 FACILITIES All units shall keep each other advised of any changes in the operational status of their facilities, which may affect the procedures specified in this Memorandum of Understanding. 8 PARTIES OF THE AGREEMENT For the avoidance of doubt it is hereby declared that the parties to the said agreement are London Area Control (Swanwick) , Cardiff ATC, LATCC(Mil) and the British Gliding Association. 9 CANCELLATION Cancellation of this Memorandum of Understanding by one of the Approving Authorities is possible at any time, provided that the cancelling party declares its intention to cancel the Memorandum of Understanding with a minimum pre-notification time of 1 month. _________________________________________________________________________________________________________ LACC/Cardiff/BGA MoU 07/03/13 Page 4 of 7 10 INTERPRETATION AND SETTLEMENT OF DISPUTES 10.1 Should any doubt or diverging views arise regarding the interpretation of any provision of the present Memorandum of Understanding, or in case of dispute regarding its application, the parties shall endeavour to reach a solution acceptable to them all. 10.2 Should no agreement be reached, each of the parties shall refer to a higher level of its national aviation administration, to which the dispute shall be submitted for settlement. 11 AMENDMENT TO PROCEDURES These procedures have been agreed by the undersigned. They are not to be amended without the written agreement of the signatories, their authorised representatives or successors. _________________________________________________________________________________________________________ LACC/Cardiff/BGA MoU 07/03/13 Page 5 of 7 12 VALIDITY This Memorandum of Understanding becomes effective 7th March 2013. SIGNED SIGNED Juliet Kennedy Operation Director London Area Control(Swanwick) NATS (En Route) Plc. DATE SIGNED J Williams For and on behalf of the British Gliding Association DATE SIGNED D. HEALEY General Manager Cardiff International Airport NSL. DATE Wg Cdr J Whitworth Officer Commanding LATCC(Mil) DATE _________________________________________________________________________________________________________ LACC/Cardiff/BGA MoU 07/03/13 Page 6 of 7 APPENDIX A TELEPHONE COMMUNICATIONS LAC Watch Supervisor Cardiff Watch Manager LATCC(Mil) West Sup/ATCO IC LAC LAS West Telephone :- 01489 - 612420 Fax :- 01489 - 612421 Telephone :- 01446 712564 Fax :- 01446 711838 Telephone :- 01489-612417 Telephone :- 01489 - 612413 Bristol and Gloucestershire Gliding Club Telephone :- 01453 860342 South Wales Gliding Club Telephone :- 01291 690536 Cotswold Gliding Club Telephone :- 01285 760415 Midland Gliding Club Telephone :- 01588 650206 Herefordshire Gliding Club Telephone :- 01568 708908 Black Mountains Gliding Club Telephone :- 01874 711463 _________________________________________________________________________________________________________ LACC/Cardiff/BGA MoU 07/03/13 Page 7 of 7