CAA - Future Lower Airspace Modernisation

The UK CAA have published their concepts for modernised Lower Airspace in the UK, presented diagramatically here :

AOPA have been putting the case for GA access to lower airspace in the future and how it might be achieved wthout undue burden on GA, following these underlying principles:

• GA must be able to integrate with future airspace users if GA aircraft are suitably equipped.
• There must be common standards and operating pracitices.
• The cost of any mandatory carriage of compatible equipment should be met by the new users of the airspace, or systems, that require the mandate.
• Provision must be made for access to airspace where mandatory equipment is not, or can not, be carried. 

It seems that AOPA has, to some extent, been listened to, but there is still much to be discussed and negotiated. So this vision is a start, but by no means the end. In particular, how is the lower airspace to be managed and GA given the necessary access and services, for VFR traffic in particular. Future Airspace Change proposals must take this into account.  

Please take time to consider the concepts presented by the CAA and let me know your views: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Martin Robinson

CEO AOPA UK