22 December 2022
Two options have been put forward by Bristow Helicopters for conversion of the current Temporary Danger Areas (TDAs) in the English Channel into permanent airspace.
The TDAs are to allow Bristow to operate drones Beyond Visual Line of Sight for the Maritime and Coastguard Agency and the Home Office. The purpose of the drones is to identify illegal migrant crossings in the Dover Strait. The UK govt has said the operation should continue to at least 2027.
An Airspace Change Proposal, ACP-008-2021, sponsored by Bristow, is currently going through the ACP process and has reached the Design Options stage.
Option 1B, above, is to transfer the current TDA Complex DO98 into a permanent Danger Area, with DAAIS (Danger Area Activity Information Service) and DACS (Danger Area Crossing Service). It would have the same dimensions as TDA DO98 and be active 365 days a year.
Option 2 with two one way corridors, marked in green, within Danger Area complex to allow routing across
Option 2 is to have the same Danger Area with Class G airspace corridors to allow aircraft to route through the Danger Area. However, the ceiling of the Permanent Danger Area would be increased to 2,500ft (from 1,500ft) to allow the corridor to operate from the Surface to 1,500ft.
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For any affected airfields, if you are not involved this process already then you should send an email to [email protected] to get added to the stakeholder list which will ensure you receive all the relevant documents to the consultation process in future. Steve Uzochukwu. HG, PG and microlights.