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Guidance for temporary and trial airspace change proposals |
Following the publication of the revised CAP 1616 airspace change process, the UK Civil Aviation Authority has today published the revised requirements and guidance for temporary and trial airspace change proposals, CAP 1616g.
The requirements and guidance for temporary and trial airspace change proposals have not materially changed but are now all contained within one document with minimal reference required to other CAP 1616 documents. This has made the information more user-friendly, with improved access, clarity, and ability to navigate. As a result, it will now be simpler for change sponsors and stakeholders to better understand what they need to do in the process.
CAP 1616g can be found on the UK Civil Aviation Authority website and will come into force on 18 March 2024. All revised CAP 1616 documents and a statement on transition arrangements can be found on our website.
Any temporary or trial airspace change proposals commenced on or after that date will be assessed against the requirements of the process described in CAP 1616g. All temporary or trial airspace change proposals where an assessment meeting has taken place, and a timeline has been agreed with the CAA, before 18 March 2024 will be assessed against the requirements of the process as described in CAP 1616 version 4.
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NATS OpenAir: Consultation |
NATS have published a consultation for their proposal to establish, operate and charge for a new service they are calling NATS Openair. The consultation closes on 28 March 2024.
It is their proposed solution to establishing a co-operative airspace environment allowing the integration of al airspaces users, current and new. In particular the integration of unmanned aerial systems operating beyond visual line of sight.
In their words:
"NATS OpenAir is our proposed new airspace management service to enable safe and seamless airspace integration in a changing aviation landscape.
Our proposals for NATS OpenAir have been shaped by working with industry and other stakeholders to deliver flight trials and create new concepts of operation. Building on our work so far, we now need to hear from you to ensure we fully understand your requirements and what you might need from an integrated airspace traffic management system of the future.
To that end we are seeking your feedback on the proposed new NATS OpenAir service offering and associated charging structure as outlined in the consultation document."
The consultation details and proposal can be found here.
AOPA Comment:
There are a number of innovative solutions being proposed or even competing to be the answer for managing traffic in the lower airspace and clearly NATS as an ANSP has its own agenda. Any future airspace has to provide GA with greater access and improved safety but the answers are not straight forward and often complex.
Please let Martin Robinson know if you have any views on the NATS proposal by 21 March 2024:
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The General Aviation (Flight Information, Persons on Board and Civil Penalties) Regulations 2024 (‘the 2024 regulations’) |
It is anticipated that on Saturday 6th April 2024, the 2024 regulations will enter into force. A draft version of the regulations is available online: The General Aviation (Persons on Board, Flight Information and Civil Penalties) Regulations 2024.The General Aviation (Persons on Board, Flight Information and Civil Penalties) Regulations 2024.
Which flights do the 2024 regulations apply to?
The 2024 regulations apply to all General Aviation aircraft making international flights who are expecting to arrive in and depart from the UK (including within the Common Travel Area).
What do the regulations mean for pilots, owners and operators?
International GA flights that are arriving in or departing from the UK will be required to be submit information online about the flight and persons on board (both passengers and crew), no earlier than 48 hours and no later than 2 hours prior to the expected time of departure.
General Aviation Reports emailed directly to Border Force will not be compliant and will not be accepted.
What are the acceptable online submission methods?
The information is to be provided online using one of the following methods:
1. The Government’s free-to-use submit a GAR ‘sGAR’ webservice;
2. *Via an approved existing third-party application; or
3. If you are a business operator, established direct connections to Home Office systems can also be used.
Civil Penalties
Border Force will be operating a civil penalty regime that will underpin the 2024 regulations. Failing to comply with the 2024 regulations may result in a civil penalty of up to £10,000 per breach. Complete guidance on the civil penalty regime will be available on gov.uk in due course.
* Typically, these are private member subscriptions to applications such as Airbox, Cloud Aviation, Online GAR, Sky Demon and Rocket Route. However, a full published list of acceptable third-party applications will be published on gov.uk.
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Publication of CAA Policy for the Establishment and Operation of Special Use Airspace |
The CAA has published a Policy for the Establishment and Operation of Special Use Airspace. Special Use Airspace includes Prohibited Areas, Restricted Areas, Danger Areas, Temporary Segregated Areas, Temporary Reserved Areas and Cross Border Areas.
The policy provides the requirements for the design, approval, notification, activation, management and operation of these airspace structures.
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CAA launches AI survey |
The aviation industry continues to embrace the transformative power of Artificial Intelligence (AI). It already enhances safety and efficiency through predictive maintenance, aiding air traffic management, and refining pilot training with advanced insights and simulations. Understanding what AI will mean for the CAA and how it will affect the way we work and how we regulate is a crucial part of this strategy work.
The CAA have created a survey that focuses on how we regulate AI and would be grateful for your support in helping us to create a strategy for the safe and secure use of AI in aviation.
The survey will close Friday 29 March 2024. More information is available in CAP 2966: Speaking a Common Language: A terminology framework for AI and on the CAA website.
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Consultation: Notice of proposals to make the Wireless Telegraphy (Licence Charges) (Amendment) Regulations 2024 |
OfCom are proposing to make new regulations (Proposed Regulations) that would amend the existing 2020 Regulations in relation to the introduction of three new licence products and their associated fees. We are also removing one class of licence that is now licence exempt.
The full details can be found here: https://www.ofcom.org.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0037/277588/consultation-notice-proposals-wta-fees-amendment.pdf
The response form can be found here: https://www.ofcom.org.uk/__data/assets/file/0035/277586/consultation-response-form.odt
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Application Form Submission Service update |
Following the launch of the CAA online Application Form Submission Service (AFSS) on the CAA Customer Portal, the second (and final) wave of forms will be added to the service between Tuesday 6 and Tuesday 13 February.
To ensure you’re using the most up to date and correct form for your application please ensure you get the latest version of the form you require from the Publication Library. Forms that are to be submitted through AFSS will have guidance on how to do this at the bottom of the form.
As a reminder you can read more about AFSS on the AFSS blog.
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Call for Volunteers: Electronic Conspicuity User Study |
The UK Civil Aviation Authority, in partnership with Baringa and QinetiQ, is hosting virtual workshops in February to discuss Electronic Conspicuity (EC) device use. The sessions will look at how EC is used to detect airborne threats and how decisions are made to avoid airborne collisions.
We are looking for volunteers who are operationally qualified users from the following categories:
- Specific and Certified Category RPAS Operators
- Air Traffic Service Controllers
- Commercial fixed and rotary wing flight crews
- GA fixed and rotary wing flight crews
- GA crews not routinely in receipt of air traffic services during flight, e.g., gliding, paragliding, hang gliding, ballooning
Participants cannot not have any connection to an EC manufacturer.
If you are interested in attending a workshop please email your name, contact details and which of the categories you fall under to:
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Airspace Infringement Avoidance: Monday 29 January 19:00 Hrs |
GASCO’s first airspace infringement avoidance webinar of 2024 will be held on Monday 29 January at 7pm.
With visiting speakers from East Midlands Airport, the Lincolnshire TATCC, Buckminster Gliding Club at Saltby and Skydive Langar it will cover the airspace between Turweston and Gamston, looking at how to apply Threat and Error Management techniques as part of your pre-flight planning.
Register online for a free hour and a half of information, tips, suggestions and discussion.
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Flying Abroad - Designated Airports |
In our January Enewsletter we included this item:
"From 1 January 2024 unless an airport is listed in Annex E as a Designated airport or has a Certificate of Agreement it cannot be used for foreign flights to/from the UK. The current list can be found here."
An observant member has pointed out that elsewhere in the Border Force guidance it says:
"Not all CoA aerodromes are listed within Annex E, therefore operators and pilots must contact the relevant aerodrome to ensure it is authorised to receive or operate a flight from outside the United Kingdom."
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Submit a General Aviation Report (GAR) - Passenger Response Messages to sGAR from January 2024 |
The Home Office are introducing Response Messages to sGAR from January 2024, these messages will confirm whether an individual has a valid permission to travel or if you need to conduct a manual check for a visa.
You are invited to register for one of our engagement events for pilots, operators and agents who send passenger information to the Home Office through the sGAR web service.
The events are intended to provide further support and clarity regarding the introduction of response messages, as well as an opportunity to ask any questions you may have.
The next event will be held on 16 January 2024. More information here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/home-office-fbis-general-aviation-engagement-event-sgar-tickets-773617128657
For full details of the changes to GAR and future events see: https://www.submit-general-aviation-report.service.gov.uk/welcome/index
The following slides were used at a recent meeting hosted by the Home Office Border Force: