LETTER OF AGREEMENT between NATS (EN-ROUTE) plc, BRITISH GLIDING ASSOCIATION (BGA) Scottish Area Control (Prestwick) & London Area Control and MINISTRY of DEFENCE(MOD), (Swanwick) LATCC (Mil) BAE SYSTEMS WARTON RELATING TO Airspace sharing agreements in regard to activation of Temporary Reserved Areas (Gliding) (TRA(G)s). Effective: 7th December 2013 1. PURPOSE This document and the attached annexes define Temporary Reserved Areas (Gliding), (TRA(G)), which exist within UK airspace and are designed to allow glider operations under Visual Flight Rules (VFR) above FL195 within Class C airspace. Access arrangements between specific clubs and NATS/MOD are detailed in the appropriate appendices. 2. DEFINITIONS 2.1 “Official day” The Air Navigation Order 2000, Article 129 of the Order defines ‘day’ as the time from half an hour before sunrise to half an hour after sunset (both times exclusive), sunrise and sunset being defined at surface level. 2.2 “Glider” For the purpose of this LoA glider shall mean Glider or Motor Glider in soaring flight. 2.3 “Temporary Reserved Area (TRA)” “A Temporary Reserved Area is a defined volume of airspace normally under the jurisdiction of one aviation authority and temporarily reserved, by common agreement, for the specific use by another aviation authority and through which traffic may be allowed to transit under an ATS authority.” 2.3.1 “Temporary Reserved Area (Gliding), TRA(G)” NATS/LATCC (Mil)/BGA/BAE Warton (TRA(G)s) LoA 07/12/13 Page 1 A Temporary Reserved Area defined and approved by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), Directorate of Airspace Policy (DAP), which allows VFR glider operations above FL195 within Class C airspace. Non transponder equipped gliders operating above FL195 may only operate within an active TRA(G). 3. AIRSPACE The controlling authorities, gliding clubs and TRA(G) definitions with specific access rules can be found in the annexes of this document as described below: TRA(G) Scottish Upper Areas, North and South Scottish Lower Area, North Scottish Lower Area, South Controlling Authority Scottish AC Prestwick/LATCC (Mil) Gliding Club Deeside Gliding Club (Aboyne) Scottish Gliding Union (Portmoak) Highland Gliding Club (Easterton) Annex A Portmoak Area Scottish AC (Prestwick)/LATCC (Mil) Cairngorm Gliding Club (Feshiebridge) Scottish Gliding Union (Portmoak) B Aboyne Area Northern Ireland Area Northumbria Areas Spadeadam Areas Scottish AC (Prestwick)/LATCC (Mil) Scottish AC (Prestwick)/LATCC (Mil) Scottish AC (Prestwick)/LATCC (Mil) Scottish AC (Prestwick)/LATCC (Mil) Deeside Gliding Club (Aboyne) Ulster Gliding Club (Bellarena) Borders Gliding Club (Millfield) Northumbria Gliding Club Eden GC C D E F NATS/LATCC (Mil)/BGA/BAE Warton (TRA(G)s) LoA 07/12/13 Page 2 TRA(G) Controlling Authority Yorkshire Areas Scottish AC (Prestwick)/LATCC (Mil) Gliding Club York Gliding Centre (Rufforth) Yorkshire Gliding Club (Sutton Bank) RAFGSA (Cleveland) Burn Gliding Club Wolds Gliding Club (Pocklington) Annex G Welsh Areas LAC (Swanwick)/ LATCC (Mil)/ Scottish AC (Prestwick) Denbigh Gliding North Wales Gliding Club Shropshire Soaring Group Midland Gliding Club Herefordshire Gliding Club Black Mountains Gliding Club South Wales Gliding Club H 4. AIRSPACE CLASSIFICATION All airspace at and above FL195 is Class C. NATS/LATCC (Mil)/BGA/BAE Warton (TRA(G)s) LoA 07/12/13 Page 3 5. PROCEDURES Generic procedures allowing access to TRA and TRA(G) are published by the CAA within the UK AIP ENR 1.1 para 1.9 and are to be fully complied with. Should any TRA(G)s be activated between 0001 and 0600 UTC Winter (1 Hour earlier in summer), Gliders will remain below FL280 so that they are clear of all night time fuel saving routes. Any additional specific requirements between the BGA, NATS, MOD and BAE Systems Warton are identified within this Letter of Agreement and associated Annexes and Appendices. 6. PARTIES OF THE AGREEMENT For the avoidance of doubt it is hereby declared that the parties to this LoA are NATS (En-Route) plc, MOD, the British Gliding Association and its affiliates and BAE Systems Warton. 7. CANCELLATION Cancellation of this LoA by any of the parties involved is possible at any time, provided the cancelling party declares its intention to cancel the LoA, giving a minimum of 3 months notice. The procedure in Paragraph 8 shall be followed and until such time as a decision is made this LoA shall remain extant. 8. INTERPRETATION AND SETTLEMENT OF DISPUTES Should any doubt or diverging views arise regarding the interpretation of any provision of this LoA or in the case of dispute regarding its application, the parties shall endeavour to reach a solution acceptable to each of them. 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. 9. 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. NATS/LATCC (Mil)/BGA/BAE Warton (TRA(G)s) LoA 07/12/13 Page 4 10. VALIDITY This Letter of Agreement becomes effective on 7th December 2013 and supersedes the Letter of Agreement dated 7th March 2013. SIGNED SIGNED ____________________ Mr J Williams For and on behalf of the British Gliding Association DATE ____________________ Mr A Muir Operations Director (Prestwick) NATS Prestwick NATS (En Route) plc DATE SIGNED SIGNED _____________________ J M Whitworth Wing Commander Officer Commanding LATCC (Mil) DATE SIGNED _____________________ Ms J Kennedy Operations Director (Swanwick) NATS Swanwick NATS (En Route) plc DATE _____________________ Mrs K Williamson Manager Air Traffic Services BAE Systems Warton Aerodrome DATE NATS/LATCC (Mil)/BGA/BAE Warton (TRA(G)s) LoA 07/12/13 Page 5