Other airspace information

This information aims to inform and guide pilots.

AIC’s

Aeronautical Information Circulars (AIC’s) are notices containing information that does not qualify for inclusion in the AIP. They are used to publish administrative matters and advanced warnings of impending operational changes and to add explanation or emphasis on matters of safety or operational significance.  An AIC can be issued to present a particular event’s NOTAM data in a more readily understandable format.

AIS

NATS provides the Aeronautical Information Service as a specified service under the Air Traffic Services Licence granted to NATS. The UK Aeronautical Information Publication (AIP) is static information, updated every 28 days, which contains information of lasting (permanent) character essential to air navigation. The ‘current AIP’ provides access to a menu of detailed ‘en-route’ information, including re danger areas, parachute DZ’s, etc.

Airspace modernisation

The UK airspace system needs modernising. The Department for Transport has tasked the CAA with preparing and maintaining a co-ordinated strategy and plan for the use of UK airspace up to 2050, including modernisation. The AMS will result in numerous CAP1616 airspace change proposals. Read more here.

Awareness of gliding needs

Pilots who don’t fly gliders may need some help in understanding how and where gliders operate. View the BGA briefing document ‘Gliding awareness for non-glider pilots’

This briefing that was published in the RAF flight safety magazine in Spring 2016 may be helpful.

An ‘ATCO perspective’ of soaring was provided by the CAA during 2016.

Drones / RPAS

Remotely Piloted Air System (known as drone) activity is part of a growing industry and is a new airspace user. It is inevitable that the way airspace is managed or manages itself will change, with electronic conspicuity becoming an increasingly important topic not only in support of effective lookout but also to enable sense and avoid by drones within integrated-use airspace.

With the aim of retaining and improving equitable airspace access for gliding, the BGA seeks to inform the RPAS industry and influence modernised and future airspace regulation, structure, classification and policies through stakeholder engagement.

Responding to an Airspace Change Proposal

Airspace change proposals (ACPs) are usually developed and proposed on behalf of airports by subject matter expert consultants. NATS En-Route (NERL) develop their own ACPs. CAA can develop ACPs, but rarely do so as they are the decision-maker regarding any ACP.

Any ACP must follow the ‘CAP1616 process‘. This is a multi-stage consulted process that is expected to begin with stakeholder engagement and the development of design principles, and ends with the CAA decision-making process and a subsequent post-implementation review.

BGA guidance on initial engagement and design principles is available here. Any club that is approached about an airspace change proposal is encouraged to contact the BGA.