22 March 2023
The CAA has approved plans for GNSS RNP instrument approach procedures at Sherburn-in-Elmet aerodrome in Yorkshire, writes Ed Bellamy.
The approaches will be to the main runway (RW10/28), with a minimum descent height (MDH) of 500ft. Sponsored by Sherburn Aero Club (SAC), the green light has been given more than eight years after the club first started the process.
All being well, the procedures should go live in June this year and Sherburn will join the small population of GA aerodromes in the UK that have gained approach procedures without air traffic control. SAC has worked closely with neighbouring Leeds East Airport, which also has a similar application in with the CAA.
Originally SAC had intended to take advantage of the Localiser Performance with Vertical Guidance (LPV) technology, but Britain’s withdrawal from the European EGNOS augmentation service means that only LNAV (lateral) approach guidance will be provided.
The GNSS approach applies to both runways 10 and 28 at Sherburn Airfield. Images: Google Earth
In a 16 page decision document, the CAA noted 15 actions or conditions required for implementation, including coordination of approaches with Leeds East Airport, ensuring pilots are aware of the nearby Burn glider site and an increase in the operational coverage for the airfield’s Air/Ground Communication Service.
Despite the list of homework, the CAA was satisfied that the proposal ‘maintains a high level of safety’ and that the objectives of the proposal were ‘in accordance with our Airspace Modernisation Strategy’.
SAC emphasised in its proposal documentation that the primary intent is to provide increased operational resilience and safety to aircraft using the airfield under instrument flight rules (IFR). The procedures will be established in class G airspace and pilots must be aware of the various airspace hazards in the vicinity.
The procedures will be Prior Permission Required (PPR) by telephone, but in principle will be available to all qualified pilots flying suitably equipped aircraft. SAC stress the approach is for use when conditions prevent a safe VFR arrival and that when in VMC, pilots should follow the normal visual joining procedures for the aerodrome.
More details will be published by SAC nearer the implementation date, planned for 15 June 2023.
The General Aviation Awareness Council (GAAC) has recently published an updated news item on the UK’s GNSS approaches here.
2 comments
The team at Sherburn and their Approved Procedure Designers deserve Long Service Medals for sticking with the job for so many years.
Hats off to Sherburn for persistence.
But other than allowing recovery to Sherburn in IMC conditions what does it achieve? Not recovery in unexpected IMC, as PPR by phone is required! Not for training as the frequency / number of movements is very limited!
And why, oh why, design an approach so close to an active glider site?? Surely an offset of 10 to 20 degrees to the north would have provided a much better separation from Burn GC!