9 September 2011
The CAA has approved a proposal from the operators of Norwich International Airport to establish a Controlled Airspace structure in the vicinity of the airport. The new airspace arrangements will consist of a Control Zone (CTR) and a Control Area (CTA), to protect arriving and departing aircraft.
The CAA has made the change to enhance the air safety in the vicinity of the airport. The current operation, in Class G uncontrolled airspace, frequently requires air traffic control to re-route arriving aircraft or delay departing traffic to ensure the safety of all airspace users due to controllers having no information on other aircraft operating in the area. The arrival and departure phase of flight is a busy time on the flight-deck and ATC interventions add significantly to pilot workload. Aircraft flying VFR wishing to access the new controlled airspace will need to seek clearance from Norwich ATC.
Mark Swan, Director of Airspace Policy at the CAA, said, “A lot of hard work has been put into this proposal over an extended period. Norwich Airport has engaged extensively with all stakeholders and the CAA would encourage this dialogue to continue for the benefit of all airspace users to ensure that commitments on access to the airspace for GA are fulfilled.”
The airspace change approval follows an extensive consultation carried out by the airport. The CAA said it believed the introduction of controlled airspace would have a negligible environmental impact in the area. The CAA will closely monitor the implementation of the change, particularly access requirements for GA.
The controlled airspace structure is planned to be implemented on the 8 March 2012 (AIRAC 03/2012).
The 1:500 000 Aeronautical Chart ‘Southern England’ will be updated on 08 March 2012.
A chart showing the new airspace can be found at www.caa.co.uk/docs/1/Norwich%20Control%20Chart.pdf
The CAA’s official decision letter covering the change, including the exact co-ordinates of the Control Area and Control Zone, is available at:
www.caa.co.uk/airspaceregulatorydecisions <a href=”http://www.caa.co.uk”>Click here for more</a>
