27 September 2016
Hawarden Airport has applied for a Radio Mandatory Zone and also a Listening Squawk.
The Airport’s proposal says, “Hawarden Airport is situated in Class G airspace and provides Air Traffic Services (ATS) to a variety aircraft both inside and outside of Controlled Airspace.
“The surrounding Controlled Airspace, terrain and gliding sites create a ‘funnelling effect’ whereby aircraft are forced to fly across Hawarden’s approach and climb-out lanes conflicting with arriving and departing aircraft.
“To mitigate this risk, Hawarden Airport has applied for a Radio Mandatory Zone (RMZ). A recommendation from the consultation process for the RMZ was for the use of a SSR code as a ‘Listening Out Squawk’.”
“Hawarden ATC is of the opinion that SSR code 4607 should be the dedicated squawk for this procedure and would be published with associated procedures. If this procedure was to be adopted, any aircraft wishing to transit the Hawarden RMZ would be able to operate in the airspace without the need for unnecessary two-way radio communication.
“The selection of 4607 by a pilot would inform ATC that the pilot is monitoring the frequency and when required, co-ordination can be requested to deconflict against IFR traffic. This should reduce the impact of the RMZ on the local GA community.”
In the selection of code 4607, pilots would indicate they are monitoring Hawarden Radar on 123.350MHz but do not require a service. There is no obligation on Hawarden ATC to provide any form of monitoring or information of any kind. Pilots requiring a service should call Hawarden Radar in the normal manner.
Comments on the proposal are required by 31 October 2016 to Mark Spedding, Senior Air Traffic Control Officer by email.
