13 October 2020
Farnborough’s controversial controlled airspace is under the spotlight again as the CAA, through its Airspace & Safety Initiative website, issues the THIRD instalment of advice on avoiding infringments.
The ASI website has published 25 narratives on identified infringement hotspots in the UK. This latest one was written by Farnborough Air Traffic Service Unit and members of the Wessex Local Airspace Infringement Team.
Between 27 February 2020, when the Farnborough Controlled Airspace (CAS) came into effect, and 27 September, there were 85 reported airspace infringements of the CAS.
The main areas are:
The full narrative and associated illustrations is here: https://airspacesafety.com/updates
The ASI’s advice includes:
Use a Moving Map. In over 80% of airspace infringements, pilots were found not to be using a moving map or not using one correctly. Using moving maps not only gives pilots a profile along the planned route showing CAS above and below the route but offers airspace warnings.
Fly on the most appropriate altimetry setting when operating under CTA. In this case it is the London QNH.
Obtain a Lower Airspace Radar Service (LARS) from Farnborough Radar. Pilots can obtain a LARS from Farnborough Radar in this area on 125.250 MHz.
Use the Frequency Monitoring Code: squawk 4572 and monitor 125.250 MHz.
Apply Threat and Error Management when planning and flying. Always consider airspace when making a detailed plan. Build in climb and descent points when routing in the vicinity of multiple CTAs with differing base altitudes. Know what VRPs look like and what airspace lies above them or close by. Have a point beyond which you are not going to fly if you do not have a positive clearance to enter CAS particularly when departing Fairoaks and Blackbushe when cockpit workload is high. One of the biggest causes of infringements is distraction; manage that Threat when operating close to CAS.
Avoid flying on the Regional Pressure Setting (RPS) in the vicinity of Farnborough CTAs or below the London TMA. When flying on the RPS, as it is the forecast lowest QNH for a region, you will be higher in relation to the London QNH. Always ask for the London QNH rather than accepting/flying on the Chatham RPS.
If appropriate – request a clearance. If for any reason a climb is required above the base of the CTA, then a clearance must be obtained.
3 comments
Poor design and too big. I’d imagine most of the Blackbushe aircraft infringing are really nowhere near Farnborough’s biz jet arrivals and departures, which the airspace is for. They should have given A large “cut out” to Blackbushe, encompassing the ATZ and extended slightly and this should be permanent not just when Blackbushe ATC is open.
Every one of these infringement prevention guides tells people to make sure they are using the correct pressure setting and not use the Regional pressure settings, yet ATC units continue to give people the RPS. RPS was perhaps useful in days of old when the airlines were flying Avro Ansons IFR at low level and only had a 6 channel radio and would be out of contact with any ATC unit for hours. This is not the case any more, the PRS has had its day, use the local QNH like they do everywhere else!
I told the CAA this, but got a reply back saying this was still essential for the RAF. Well the solution to that, is only pass the RPS to the RAF!!! The CAA have it in their remit to prevent these infringements, but they don’t want to.
Very well said Nigel. I agree.
One only has to take a quick look at the airspace at levels below FL100 in the UK to see why there are so many technical infringements.
Complete redesign is the only answer.
While we are at it,please, let’s get rid of antiquated and useless regional pressure settings.
I have found that Farnborough Radar can be either available, or not operating and even refusing to give any coverage if a light is even slightly out of their area. I don’t believe Farnborough are interested in supporting GA flights and the evidence suggests that they would like us to go away and “Quit Bugging” them although they haven’t used these words as such. I comment as an FI with students regularly flying in the area. It seems the CAA are not interested in supporting GA either – that’s how it looks to me, but I’d love to proved wrong by for example the new Farnborough airspace being removed by the CAA . . .