Burbo Bank TMZ (PIR) Post Implementation Review

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Date: 27 October 2017 Author: Team Lead Revision: Issue 1 Osprey Ref: 7750 041

This document is of UK origin and has been prepared by Osprey Consulting Services Limited (Osprey) and, subject to any existing rights of third parties, Osprey is the owner of the copyright therein. The document is furnished in confidence under existing laws, regulations and agreements covering the release of data. This document contains proprietary information of Osprey and the contents or any part thereof shall not be copied or disclosed to any third party without Osprey’s prior written consent.

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Document Details

Reference Description

Document Title Burbo Bank TMZ (PIR)

Post Implementation Review

Document Ref 7750 041

Issue Issue 1

Date 27 October 2017

Client Name Ørsted (DONG Energy)

Classification Nil

Issue Amendment Date

Issue 1 27.10.17

Approval Level Authority Name

Author Osprey CSL Team Lead

Reviewer Osprey CSL SME

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Executive Summary

DONG Energy (Ørsted) has developed the extension to the Burbo Bank Offshore Wind Farm in Liverpool Bay. The Burbo Bank Extension Offshore Wind Farm covers an area of 40 kilometres (km)2, located approximately 7 km (3.8 Nautical Miles (NM)) north of the North Wirral coast near the village of Meols, 8.5 km (4.6 NM) from Crosby beach, and 12.2 km (6.6 NM) from the Point of Ayr on the Welsh coast. The Issue The presence of the Burbo Bank Extension Offshore Wind Farm would have impacted BAE Systems Warton (Warton) Aerodrome flying and Air Traffic Service (ATS) operations, with the most significant impact being the detection of the Wind Turbine Generators (WTGs) by the Warton Primary Surveillance Radar (PSR). Transponder Mandatory Zone (TMZ) Ørsted worked with Warton to identify a solution to mitigate the effects of the WTGs on the Warton PSR. Ørsted and Warton considered a variety of options to determine how best to meet the needs of Warton as well as other aviation and non-aviation stakeholders and considered that if mitigation involved a change to local airspace, then it was simpler to apply the change over the whole of the Burbo Bank Offshore Wind Farms. A Transponder Mandatory Zone (TMZ) is now established around the Burbo Bank Offshore Wind Farms up to the base of Controlled Airspace (CAS) and is active during the Warton Lower Airspace Radar Service (LARS) provision times. The establishment of the TMZ is one element of a 3-part Mitigation Package aimed at negating the impact of the clutter from the Burbo Bank Offshore Wind Farm WTGs upon the Warton PSR. The three parts are:  Element 1: Establishment of a TMZ;  Element 2: Authorisation to control Secondary Surveillance Radar (SSR)-alone and;  Element 3: Suppression of WTG returns within the boundary of the Wind Farms.

The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) Safety and Airspace Regulation Group (SARG at Stirling) authorised Warton Air Traffic Control (ATC) to provide services using SSR-alone near the Burbo Bank TMZ. The CAA required a Post Implementation Review (PIR) which assesses the effectiveness and efficiency of the TMZ and Burbo Bank Offshore Wind Farms’ surrounding airspace through mitigating the effects of the WTGs on Warton flying and PSR-based ATS operations. Figure 1 below provides an illustration of the lateral extent of the Burbo Bank TMZ surrounding the Burbo Bank Offshore Wind Farms.

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Figure 1 Burbo Bank TMZ in red. The blue line outlines the Burbo Bank Offshore Wind Farm and the green line outlines its extension.

Conclusion The objective of the TMZ is to maintain Warton Aerodrome flying and ATS operations near Burbo Bank despite the presence of the Burbo Bank offshore Wind Farms. This has been achieved.

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Table of Contents

1 Introduction ...... 1

1.1 General ...... 1 1.2 Purpose and Objectives ...... 2 1.3 Consultation ...... 2 1.4 Related Documents...... 2 1.5 Document Structure ...... 3

2 Burbo Bank TMZ Operations ...... 4

2.1 Overview ...... 4 2.2 General Flying Operations at Warton Aerodrome ...... 4 2.3 Burbo Bank TMZ ...... 4 2.4 TMZ with associated PSR Suppression Techniques...... 9 2.5 The TMZ Horizontal Buffer Zone ...... 9

3 Conclusions ...... 10

3.1 TMZ Effect ...... 10

4 References ...... 11

Table of Figures Figure 1 Burbo Bank TMZ in red. The blue line outlines the Burbo Bank Offshore Wind Farm and the green line outlines its extension...... iv Figure 2 Liverpool Bay and Morecambe Bay Airspace with the Warton Fillet outlined in Orange and the southern boundary of the Warton ARA outlined in Purple. Reproduced from CAA digital map data © Crown copyright 2014. UK IAIP ENR...... 2 Figure 3 The Morecambe Bay and Liverpool Bay Airspace. The Burbo Bank TMZ, with section ceilings, is outlined in red. The ‘Warton Fillet’ is outlined in orange. Reproduced from CAA digital map data © Crown copyright 2017. UK IAIP ENR...... 6

Table of Tables Table 2 Table of References...... 11

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1 Introduction

The presence of the Burbo Bank Extension Offshore Wind Farm would have affected BAE Systems Warton Aerodrome flying and Air Traffic Service (ATS) operations, with the most significant impact being the detection of the Wind Turbine Generators (WTGs) as unwanted clutter by the Warton Primary Surveillance Radar (PSR).

1.1 General DONG Energy (Ørsted) has developed the extension to the Burbo Bank Offshore Wind Farm in Liverpool Bay. The Burbo Bank Extension Offshore Wind Farm covers an area of 40 kilometres (Km)2, located approximately 7 km (3.8 Nautical Miles (NM)) north of the North Wirral coast near the village of Meols, 8.5 km (4.6 NM) from Crosby beach, and 12.2 km (6.6 NM) from the Point of Ayr on the Welsh coast. The presence of the Burbo Bank Extension Offshore Wind Farm WTGs would have affected BAE Systems Warton (Warton) Aerodrome flying and Air Traffic Service (ATS) operations thereby requiring a change to the arrangements and procedures in the immediate airspace surrounding the wind farms. The degradation in the detection and tracking capabilities of the Warton PSR in the area of Burbo Bank Extension Offshore Wind Farm is of particular importance with regard to the flight test area near to the Offshore Wind Farm boundary. Burbo Bank lies adjacent to a piece of airspace known as the ‘Warton Fillet’ area, ordinarily Controlled Airspace (CAS) that is delegated to Warton on occasion to provide a sufficient volume of airspace for testing of advanced air systems. Unmitigated WTG clutter would lead to a reduced ATS from Warton Air Traffic Control (ATC) in the area of the Burbo Bank Offshore Wind Farm, effectively rendering the southern half of the ‘Warton Fillet’ unusable. Other airspace users requiring a service from Warton ATC would also experience disruption due to unnecessary route deviation.

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Figure 2 Liverpool Bay and Morecambe Bay Airspace with the Warton Fillet outlined in Orange and the southern boundary of the Warton ARA outlined in Purple. Reproduced from CAA digital map data © Crown copyright 2014. UK IAIP ENR.

1.2 Purpose and Objectives The purpose of this document is to provide information regarding Warton and other aviation stakeholder operations post the implementation of the Burbo Bank Transponder Mandatory Zone (TMZ). This document has been prepared by Osprey Consulting Services Limited (Osprey), on behalf of Ørsted and Warton ATC and in accordance with CAP 725 [Reference 1]. This document ensures that the key objective of the TMZ has been met:  To maintain Warton Aerodrome flying and ATS operations near Burbo Bank despite the presence of the Burbo Bank Offshore Wind Farms; whilst o Ensuring that other aviation stakeholders whom utilise the airspace, have not suffered burdensome inconvenience. It is Ørsted’s responsibility as initial Sponsor of the Airspace Change Proposal to ensure that a Post Implementation Review (PIR) is completed.

1.3 Consultation NATMAC members plus selected additional stakeholders were directly consulted on the proposal. Prior to implementation, a refinement to the eastern boundary of the TMZ was made to ensure that any potential for ‘channelling’ air traffic close to the Wirral Peninsula and north coast of Wales was avoided.

1.4 Related Documents Warton Manual of Air Traffic Services (MATS) Part 2.

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1.5 Document Structure This document contains two main sections outlined below for convenience:  Section 1 this section, introduces the document;  Section 2 describes the Burbo Bank TMZ operation.

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2 Burbo Bank TMZ Operations

Warton ATC operates under regulatory oversight of both the Military Aviation Authority (MAA) and the CAA, providing essential ATS to military and civil aircraft in the area of the Burbo Bank Extension Wind Farm development.

2.1 Overview This section describes the current background to the TMZ operations highlighting the primary areas of concern relating to the effects of the Burbo Bank Offshore Wind Farm, prior to its implementation, on Warton operations. In this case, there are four principal issues to be considered: Test flying operations near the ‘Warton Fillet’ (Airway L70); Services to aircraft under the Lower Airspace Radar Service (LARS) scheme; The Approach Control Service; and operations at Royal Air Force (RAF) Woodvale.

2.2 General Flying Operations at Warton Aerodrome Ranges of military and civilian aircraft operate from Warton aerodrome. The airfield carries out, on average, around 1,000 aircraft movements per month, 40% of which are military registered flights, in support of the following operational tasks:  Flight development and test activities, predominantly on Typhoon, Tornado and Hawk aircraft, which can include civilian test support aircraft operations;  Production test flying of brand new Typhoon and Hawk aircraft that are manufactured on site;  Daily commercial passenger flying operations;  Military and civilian transport operations; and  Flying training activity on civilian and military aircraft. Warton ATC provides aerodrome control and approach control services to a wide range of commercial, General Aviation (GA) and military aircraft in the airspace over the Irish Sea and overland near Warton. In addition to these routine ATC tasks, Warton ATC is responsible for providing a LARS to a radius of 74 km (40 NM) from Warton and a dedicated specialist service to aircraft conducting test and development flights flying up to (and occasionally beyond) 370 km (200 NM) from Warton. Warton ATC operates under regulatory oversight of both the MAA and the CAA. The standard ATS, the LARS, and the dedicated test service combine to support the required efficient and effective operations of a mix of aircraft in the local and extended operating areas.

2.3 Burbo Bank TMZ The overall aim of the Burbo Bank Airspace Change Proposal is to maintain airspace efficiency and effectiveness for all users and mitigate the impacts of Burbo Bank Extension Offshore Wind Farm on Warton flying and ATS operations.

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The CAA, in CAP 725 [Reference 1], provides extensive regulatory requirements to be applied to the design of the airspace arrangements. However, most of these requirements, such as Instrument Flight Procedure (IFP) containment, are relevant to the development of CAS, which is not the case with the application of the TMZ proposal. The significant regulatory requirements applicable to this proposal are that the:  Dimensions of the proposed airspace should be the minimum practicable to meet the safety and operational requirements; and  Configuration of the airspace should be as simple as practicable. Thus, the primary matters for consideration in the development of the proposed TMZ are the lateral and vertical dimensions, including alignment with other, pre-existing, airspace boundaries (the Manchester Terminal Manoeuvring Area (TMA) and Liverpool John Lennon Airport (LJLA) Control Areas (CTA)) and the impact on:  Those aircraft wishing to use the airspace which are not and/or cannot be equipped with a transponder; and  The operational impact on adjacent Air Traffic Service Units (ATSU) who may not be SSR equipped. The four areas of concern outlined above in Section 2.1 have led to the requirement to mitigate the effects of the Burbo Bank Offshore Wind Farm WTGs.

2.3.1 Hours of operation of the TMZ Under normal UK Integrated Aeronautical Information Package (IAIP) (Reference 2) arrangements, the operating hours of a particular airspace segment established for specific ATS purposes are linked to the operating hours of the associated ATS Unit. Hence, TMZ activation coincides with the Warton LARS hours (Mon-Thu 0730-1900; Fri 0730-1700 Local Time) and this is captured within the UK IAIP (noting the LARS frequency and timings as well as the boundary of the TMZ), and associated CAA Visual Flight Rules (VFR) Charts. Exceptions to this are promulgated by Notices to Airmen (NOTAM)1.

1 NOTAMs cover short duration or temporary changes or short notice permanent changes. They contain information concerning the establishment, condition or change in any aeronautical facility, service, procedure or hazard, the timely knowledge of which is essential to personnel concerned with flight operations.

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Figure 3 The Morecambe Bay and Liverpool Bay Airspace. The Burbo Bank TMZ, with section ceilings (Areas A, B & C), is outlined in red. The ‘Warton Fillet’ is outlined in orange. Reproduced from CAA digital map data © Crown copyright 2017. UK IAIP.

2.3.2 Flight test operations in the vicinity of the L70 Warton Fillet Warton’s coastal location, adjacent to extensive CAS and uncontrolled airspace, makes it an ideal site for testing, research and development of complex military aircraft. The majority of these operations take place offshore over Morecambe Bay and Liverpool Bay. The Ministry of Defence (MoD), in support of front line military aviation operations, and other export customers rely on this operation for the delivery of high specification military capability. The Fast Jet (FJ) military aircraft conducting test and development sorties operate in accordance with predetermined schedules, coordinated processes and procedures to ensure that appropriate test data is gathered; the test and development aircrew involved rely on Warton ATC to provide a range of ATS and coordination with NATS2 and MoD controllers. Coordination activities have been enhanced and the flight test operations continue, uninterrupted, with the implementation of the Burbo Bank TMZ. The Warton Advisory Radio Area (ARA) incorporates the Morecambe and Liverpool Bay areas and is notified airspace extending from Flight Level (FL) 95 (9,500 feet (ft)) to FL 190 (19,000 ft). Within the ARA all pilots are advised to make radio contact with Warton ATC in order to receive up to date information on other traffic operating in the area. The ‘Warton Fillet’ (see Figure 2) is a portion of airspace encompassed by and on the southern boundary of the Warton ARA and within airway L70 (normally Class C (CAS), from FL 85 (8,500 ft) to FL 195 (19,500 ft)). When operating as L70 CAS, control services within the ‘Warton Fillet’ are provided by NATS. However, when required by Warton ATC, the ‘Warton Fillet’ is activated and control services revert to Warton ATC (‘claw back’) to support test-flying activities whilst that portion of airway L70 is not used. This clawback occurs, as an

2 NATS, the en-route provider of ATS in CAS.

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average, on twenty occasions each month (for periods of 2 – 6 hours), the continued robust airspace sharing agreement, SSR-alone provision (approved by CAA SARG) and the Burbo Bank TMZ enables the airspace classification in the ‘Warton Fillet’ to revert to Class G (uncontrolled airspace), which allows Warton ATC to maintain efficient and flexible tactical freedom for aircraft manoeuvres close to Warton, the Burbo Bank Offshore Wind Farm and in the airspace above Liverpool Bay. SSR-alone provision and related TMZ procedures are defined in the Warton MATS Pt2 with a brief aide memoire provided at controller positions. Service provision using SSR-alone occurs irregularly; this imposes a greater demand on the controller due to the increase in RT phraseology, particularly when set against the background of the limited number of tracks in that area and that Warton-based FJ aircraft need not be so informed as this limitation is contained in the Flying Operations Manual. In summary, the Burbo Bank TMZ has enabled the continued ATS provision from Warton ATC in the area of the Burbo Bank Offshore Wind Farm, maintained the available size of the Warton ARA airspace and avoided disruption, and unnecessary route deviation, to airspace users requiring a service from Warton ATC in the vicinity of the Burbo Bank Offshore Wind Farms. A Burbo Bank TMZ operational occurrence log was established in October 2016 within Warton ATC (on implementation of the Burbo Bank TMZ); it confirms that there have been no access refusals to the TMZ within its operation; all air systems in the area have operated with serviceable transponders. The log and consultation also confirms that other service providers in the area; Isle-of-Man, Liverpool, Hawarden and RAF Valley have no issue with the TMZ. 2.3.3 LARS provision Warton ATC provides a LARS for the purpose of ensuring participating pilots are aware of other nearby aircraft and/or flying activities conducted at Warton, thereby enhancing flight safety in the area. This service is available to any aircraft requesting it within radar and/or radio cover, operating outside CAS, from ground level up to 10,000 ft, within a 74 km (40 NM) radius of Warton. LARS is sponsored by the Department for Transport (DfT) and is determined by SARG as key to enhancing the effectiveness and efficiency of the airspace in an area that experiences a mixture of aviation activities. SSR-alone provision (approved by SARG) and the Burbo Bank TMZ have enabled the safe continuation of LARS provision. 2.3.4 Approach Control Service The airspace around Warton is considered to be of medium complexity in that it is surrounded by areas of open (Class G) airspace, particularly to the west and northwest, but is bounded closely by CAS to the south and east. Warton ATC is responsible for providing services to aircraft arriving at and departing from Warton, as well as local air traffic and military aircraft involved in complex test and development flights. Warton ATC, in accordance with CAP 393 [Reference 3] provides an approach control service to aircraft operating from the aerodrome. Warton is also the approach control unit for Barrow/Walney Island and has a Letter of Agreement (LoA) with Blackpool Airport (BA) to manage operations in the vicinity of both aerodromes thus ensuring the safe provision of ATS.

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Aircraft routing via the Wallasey VOR (WAL) to or from Warton, Barrow/Walney Island or BA will leave, or join, CAS 3.7 km (2 NM) north of the Burbo Bank TMZ when the ‘Warton Fillet’ is active, as the airspace is rendered Class G on the twenty occasions each month when under Warton’s control (‘clawed back’). In this airspace configuration these aircraft continue to receive efficient, robust ATS from Warton ATC without the confusion of multiple false radar returns from the WTGs in the area. 2.3.5 RAF Woodvale operations The RAF operates Grob 115E Tutor aircraft from Woodvale aerodrome as part of the Liverpool, Manchester and Salford University Air Squadrons (UAS). The Air Experience Flight also operates from Woodvale, providing flying experience and pilot training for Air Cadets in the North West Region. Furthermore, the Volunteer Gliding Squadron (VGS) operates Grob 109B Vigilant motorgliders from the airfield. As part of a LoA with the RAF, Warton ATC provides, where controller workload permits, an ATS to Grob aircraft operating from RAF Woodvale. RAF Woodvale only operates in the Liverpool Bay area during the hours of LARS provision from Warton ATC. The Burbo Bank TMZ has enabled maintenance of the ATS LARS provision to the UAS and RAF Woodvale VGS in the Liverpool Bay airspace. 2.3.6 Impact of the TMZ on military operations No impact on military operations operated from Warton or RAF Valley in the area surrounding the TMZ has been identified. 2.3.7 Impact of the TMZ on light GA operations Whilst not prohibited from operating over water, the majority of pilots of light single engine aircraft (sports and recreation) prefer to minimise their over-water flight time by using routes that route predominantly overland and require them to be over water for as short a period as practicable. Notwithstanding the transponder mandate within a TMZ, provision exists within the TMZ, rules for conditional access by non-equipped aircraft by prior arrangement, establishing two-way radio contact, with the appropriate ATSU (Controlling Authority), in this case Warton ATC. The Warton TMZ operational log confirms that there have been no GA access refusals to the TMZ. 2.3.8 Impact of the TMZ on Offshore Helicopter Operations Aircraft likely to be affected by the proposed TMZ are those with a Maximum Take Off Weight (MTWA) of less than 5,700 kilogrammes (kg), as above this weight the aircraft are likely to be used for public transport operations and therefore transponder equipped. The helicopters operated by Babcock Mission Critical Services Offshore, Blackpool, in the Burbo Bank area are Medium Twin aircraft equipped with a transponder. Light Twin helicopters are unlikely to operate with regularity in the area of the Wind Farms. There is a regular, daily return air taxi flight by a light helicopter, transponder and radio equipped (captured in the air traffic survey), between Andreas Aerodrome (on the north of the Isle of Man) and Chorley, Lancashire that transits close to the Burbo Bank area.

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2.4 TMZ with associated PSR Suppression Techniques The Burbo Bank TMZ is one element of a 3-part Mitigation Package to negating the impact of the clutter from the Burbo Bank Offshore Wind Farm upon the Warton PSR. The three parts are:  Element 1: The TMZ;  Element 2: Authorisation to control SSR-alone and;  Element 3: Suppression of PSR returns within the boundary of the Wind Farms. The TMZ provides Warton ATC with assured positional identification and Commercial Air Traffic (CAT) operators with collision avoidance mitigation through the cooperative use of Airborne Collision Avoidance Systems (ACAS). It also maintains current effectiveness and efficiency in the airspace while radar services are provided using SSR data-alone (approved by SARG) in the area of the Burbo Bank Offshore Wind Farm. The primary determining features for the TMZ are:  The location of Burbo Bank WTGs;  The tracking characteristics of the Warton PSR;  The base of CAS above;  The presentation of the TMZ to pilots (i.e. how it is portrayed on the charts);  Proximity to the coastline; and  Proximity to the LJLA CTA.

2.5 The TMZ Horizontal Buffer Zone In order to assure effective and expeditious ATS provision within and around the TMZ, it was considered that an additional lateral buffer to the ‘blanked area’, necessary for ATS purposes close to the area of PSR return suppression. Such a buffer zone provides time for ATC to provide avoiding action to other aircraft close to the boundary of the TMZ, if required. The 2 NM TMZ lateral buffer zone around the WTG ‘blanking’ ensures that tracks close to the TMZ are well initiated and known to ATC. It is considered that erosion of this buffer is not ideal but practical on the eastern side of the Burbo Bank TMZ to facilitate GA transits close to the LJLA terminal area, Wirral Peninsula and north coast of Wales.

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3 Conclusions

3.1 TMZ Effect The Burbo Bank TMZ has enabled the continued ATS provision from Warton ATC in the area of the Burbo Bank Offshore Wind Farm, maintained the available size of the Warton ARA airspace and avoided disruption, and unnecessary route deviation, to airspace users requiring a service from Warton ATC in the vicinity of the Burbo Bank Offshore Wind Farms. A Burbo Bank TMZ operational occurrence log was established in October 2016 within Warton ATC (on implementation of the Burbo Bank TMZ); it confirms that there have been no access refusals to the TMZ within its operation; all air systems in the area have operated with serviceable transponders. The log and consultation also confirms that other service providers in the area; Isle- of-Man, Liverpool, Hawarden and RAF Valley have no issue with the TMZ. In this airspace configuration aircraft continue to receive efficient, robust ATS from Warton ATC without the confusion of multiple false radar returns from the WTGs in the area and the Burbo Bank TMZ has enabled maintenance of the ATS LARS provision in the Liverpool Bay and Morecambe Bay Airspace.

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4 References

Reference Name Origin

1 CAP 725 CAA Guidance on the Application of CAA the Airspace Change Process ISBN 978 0 11790 739 3 Third Edition (corrected) April 2007

2 UK Integrated Aeronautical Information NATS Aeronautical Package Information Service AIRAC 11/2017

3 CAP 393 Air Navigation: The Order and the CAA Regulations ISBN 978 0 11792 658 5 Third Edition (incorporating amendments up to 1/2012) 10 August 2012

Table 1 Table of References.

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