As noted on the BGA airspace webpage, many UK glider pilots visit the French Alps. The airspace arrangements can be surprisingly complex, but do ensure the needs of gliding and commercial air transport are safely and reasonably accomodated. As ever, it is vitally important that pilots respect the rules. The…

Details of restricted airspace protecting Red Arrows displays throughout June and July have been published in AIC Mauve 031/2017, available from the NATS website. As we do every year, we want to stress the absolute importance of respecting these restrictions. Not only is failure to do extremely hazardous, an airspace…

Deeside GC has produced a helpful resource for airspace awareness. The intention is to help pilots visualise the airspace construct.  Whilst every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, the guide is not designed to replace officially published information. You can view the Deeside GC airspace guide here.

RAF Fairford has supplied a Mid Air Collision Avoidance leaflet that provides useful advice on USAF and other flying operations in the south of the UK. You can view the document here. As the 501st Combat Support Wing (USAFE) Flight Safety Manager notes, “Please read this pamphlet carefully and pass…

The CAA has now published ORS1217 allowing non-transponder equipped gliders and SLMGs to fly above FL100 and up to FL195 in the notified Non-SSR Gliding Areas (NSGA). The new exemption  runs until 31st March 2018. The NSGAs are detailed in the UKAIP ENR5.2 and diagrammatically in ENR 6-3-0-1 (see the…

The CAA has asked us to draw pilots’ attention to CAP 1434 ‘UK Flight Information Services: Guidance from the CAA’ which was published last year. The leaflet provides guidance to pilots on the types of air traffic services that are available to all flights operating within Class G airspace and,…

In support of the airspace infringement seminar held in London last year, FASVIG analysed airspace infringement data from across the country and concluded that the use of listening squawks and radar services significantly reduced infringement risk. However, the availability of these services was not well understood and although details are…

The CAA has approved the the Airspace Change Proposal for the Hawarden Radio Mandatory Zone. As part of the process, a General Aviation Guide for the new RMZ, which became effective on 30th March 2017, has been produced. It’s hoped the guide will assist pilots with the airspace change and…

The Chairs of the BGA Airspace, Competitions, Flight Operations and Safety Committees have published an open letter to all pilots restating the crucial need to avoid airprox situations and reminding them of the precautions that must be taken to help maintain safety levels in Class G airspace. If you haven’t…

As previously reported, the UK Department for Transport is seeking views on proposals ‘to harness the positive benefits of drones for public and commercial services and the benefits to the UK economy’. The consultation closes on 15th March 2017 and can be viewed here.  The consultation includes a question about…