Directorate of Airspace Policy

All NATMAC Representatives

25 April 2012

ERM/DAP/OffRouteAirspaceStructure/ATZs/Tingwall

NATMAC CONSULTATIVE LETTER

ESTABLISHMENT OF AN AERODROME TRAFFIC ZONE (ATZ) AT / TINGWALL

1. Established for the purposes of the Rules of The Air Regulations, Rule 45 (Flights Within Aerodrome Traffic Zones) there are currently over 160 ATZs in place at aerodromes throughout the UK. In providing a degree of protection to aerodrome traffic, Rule 45 imposes conditions upon flights taking place within any ATZ. Applications for new ATZs are processed in accordance with CAP 724 (Airspace Charter), Appendix G relating specifically to ATZs.

2. Islands Council as the related aerodrome license holder has requested the establishment of an ATZ at Lerwick / Tingwall Airport. I write to seek your views.

3. The Licensee’s case for an ATZ is flight safety based. The Airport is currently one of a small number of UK aerodromes that cater for public transport flights that is not protected by a dedicated ATZ. Resident Aerodrome Flight Information Service personnel have recorded incidents of aircraft flying close to the Airport without making contact on the published AFIS frequency and have highlighted the potential flight safety implications for public transport movements. Establishment of an ATZ would require pilots intending to operate within the Zone to obtain information concerning flight activity at the Airport such as to enable flights to be conducted safely.

4. Safety Regulation Group Aerodrome & Air Traffic Services Division (AATSD) colleagues in the CAA Stirling Regional Office have advised that such concerns are long-standing. Notwithstanding increased liaison with local airfields (Scatsta and Sumburgh), and Sumburgh Radar to raise awareness of the location of Lerwick / Tingwall Airport, potential risks remain. AATSD support the proposal, highlighting the general view that the provision of some protective airspace at any aerodrome that routinely handles public transport flights would be appropriate and have assessed that the establishment of an ATZ at Lerwick / Tingwall Airport would be a positive airspace development.

Civil Aviation Authority CAA House 45-59 Kingsway London WC2B 6TE www.caa.co.uk Telephone 020 7453 6500 Fax 020 453 6565 [email protected]@caa.co.uk

5. In consideration of the requested ATZ establishment, Directorate of Airspace Policy (DAP) staff sought the related views of known local stakeholders1, as well as NATS and the Military Users Airspace Co-ordination Team. Support for the proposal was very evident; the general view was that the provision of this protective airspace would have no negative impact on background aviation activity. Whilst the limited volume of local traffic (whether in transit or operating in/out of Lerwick), was perceived in some quarters, to weaken the case for the ATZ, there were no objections.

6. Balancing the scale of operations at the Airport, the need to provide appropriate protection of public transport operations and the minimal impact of the ATZ’s establishment, I am of the view that, in this particular geographical scenario, the ATZ would provide a proportionate solution.

7. ATZ dimensions are set out in the UK Air Navigation Order. Accordingly, given the length of the Lerwick / Tingwall , if established the ATZ would have a 2nm radius centred on 601131N 0011437W and extend vertically from the surface to 2000 ft agl2. The ATZ would be active Monday – Friday (Summer 0730-1600Z, 0830- 1700Z Winter) and Saturday (0930-1400Z May to October). ATZ activation would be supported throughout by AFIS (125.300 Mhz), which means that information regarding activity taking place within the Zone would be available such as to enable any pilot’s adherence to Rule 45. There would be no change in airspace classification, which would remain Class G.

8. If you have any queries concerning the detail of this proposal your point of contact is Mark Smailes, Airspace Utilisation & Off Route Airspace Section (020 7453 6545) here at CAA House. I would appreciate your responses no later than 20 July 2012. Subject to consideration of any comment from NATMAC representatives, the target date for establishment of the ATZ is 1 August 2012. Promulgation would initially be through the publication of a NOTAM pending update of the Lerwick Airport entry within the Aeronautical Information Publication and the amendment of VFR charts in accordance with the normal cycle.

Attachment:

Northern East 1:250000 VFR Chart – Extract Depicting Lerwick / Tingwall ATZ.

1 Including aircraft operators that routinely utilise Lerwick / Tingwall Airport and/or local airspace and other local aerodromes.

2 A map extract depicting the Lerwick / Tingwall ATZ on the Northern Scotland East 1:250000 CAA VFR chart is attached.