CAA Approves Cranfield Instrument Approach

Posted by flysynergy on May 10, 2012 in GA News | Comments Off on CAA Approves Cranfield Instrument Approach The UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has approved a proposal from Cranfield Airport to introduce Instrument Approach Procedures (IAPs) to Runway 03 at the airport. The IAPs will consist of a NDB/DME and a RNAV (Global Navigation Satellite System) procedure. The CAA has made the change in order to provide a full instrument approach capability to Runway 03. The current arrangement requires that, when the runway is in use, aircraft must make an instrument approach to Runway 21 followed by a visual circling manoeuvre to land on Runway 03. In comparison, the new procedures will make landing at Cranfield easier and safer. Stuart Lindsey, Head of the Controlled Airspace Section at the CAA, said: “The new procedures at Cranfield will significantly improve the airport’s ability to carry out operations in poor weather conditions.” The airspace change approval follows an extensive consultation carried out by the airport. The CAA considers that the introduction of the IAPs is likely to have a negligible impact on local airspace users and the non-aviation community in the area, but nonetheless the change will be subject to a review after the IAPs have been in place for a year. The NDB/DME procedure is planned to implemented on 28 June 2012 and the RNAV (GNSS) procedures on 26 July 2012. Charts showing the new IAPs will be available on the Aeronautical Information Service website www.ais.org.uk 28 days before the implementation dates. The CAA has also published its official decision letter explaining the change. Source: CAA...
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Farnborough Airshow

Posted by flysynergy on May 3, 2012 in GA News | Comments Off on Farnborough Airshow While understandably most people’s focus this summer will be on the Olympics and its associated airspace restrictions and changes, the UK is also hosting the world’s biggest trade airshow, which has its own airspace changes and restrictions. Although the organisers moved the date to deconflict with the Olympics, the security airspace does overlap with the show and then runs consecutively into the temporary CAS supporting the Games. The Important Part From 1 July onwards be sure to keep a close eye on the NOTAMs. These will indicate the periods of time when the Temporary Restricted Airspace RA(T) that is being put in place to protect Farnborough airshow traffic will be active. This airspace will either take the form of the 'Small RA(T)' or the 'Large RA(T)'. The smaller restriction is designed to protect the arrivals and departure of airshow traffic with the larger airspace reserved for the flying displays themselves. Graphical charts depicting these two RA(T)s can be found by clicking on the links above. These are currently draft versions until published in Statutory Instrument. The Finer Details So, what will be in place at Farnborough? ATC briefs as follows: Firstly, on 2 July, the airshow validation week (2 July – 7 July) starts. Every aircraft flying as part of the show must demonstrate their displays, including good weather (High) and bad weather (Low) versions, and the transition between the two, in front of a rigorous approval committee called the Flying Control Committee. Pilots must prove they can fly their selected display safely and that the displays are suitable for the difficult flying restrictions imposed by the geography of Farnborough, the neighbouring airfields and the presence of large amounts of permanent Class A controlled airspace. If they fail any element they will be either asked to modify the routine, demonstrate it again or have their invitation to display revoked. This process is obviously extremely important and to protect the operation a Restricted Airspace (Temporary) RA (T) will be put in place, but the WOD-OCK corridor is opened to allow GA transit access, subject to ATC workload. The nature of validation means that inadvertent infringement of the airspace will normally involve stopping the display. With over 50 aircraft required to demonstrate over 100 displays, the effects can be catastrophic for timetabling even to the extent of cancelling parts of the display. So we really need people to be briefed and alert if you are...
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