Airmanship Airspace © Crown copyright No part of this presentation may be reproduced without the permission of the issuing authority. The views expressed in this presentation do not necessarily reflect the views or policy of the MOD. CGS Ground School

Division Of Airspace In the UK, airspace is divided into two categories, controlled airspace and uncontrolled airspace. These two categories are further sub divided into different classes of airspace that are named alphabetically from A – G. This presentation looks at the different types of airspace, the limitations of that airspace, their appearance on a 1:250,000 chart and their appearance in three dimensions. Due to the nature of our task, we will only look at the Visual Flight Rules limitations of airspace.

Controlled Airspace Classes A, C, D and E make up the controlled airspace in the United Kingdom. Class B is not assigned in the UK. Class A is the busiest and is found around the busiest airports such as London Heathrow and Manchester. It is also found linking smaller but busy airports to class C airspace along corridors called airways. Class C is airspace between FL195 and FL660. Flights in class A and C airspace are not permitted in Vikings and Vigilants.

Controlled Airspace Class D airspace is usually established around less busy airports. Aircraft may not enter this airspace until approved by the appropriate Air Traffic Control Unit. Class E airspace is usually established around even less busy airports usually situated in more remote parts of the UK. Visual Flight Rules (VFR) aircraft may enter class E airspace without radio contact with the controlling unit.

Controlled Airspace Within controlled airspace are various Control Zones (CTR), Terminal Control Areas (TMA), Control Areas (CTA) and Airways.

Control Zones (CTR) A control zone is the airspace around certain aerodromes, it is marked on a 1:250,000 chart as a thick dashed blue line. It extends from ground level to a specified altitude or flight level. In this case surface to FL 85 at the Northern end and surface to FL 105 at the Southern end. Its lateral dimension will be at least 5nm either side of the extended centre lines. Radar control is provided to all traffic in a CTR. 5nm

Terminal Control Area (TMA) A terminal control area is the airspace established at the meeting point of airspace and airways in the vicinity of one or more major airfields, it is marked on a 1:250,000 chart as a thick square dotted blue line. On military 1:250,000 charts they are not specifically marked as TMAs. This example shows part of the Eastern boundary of the London TMA (Class A). The vertical extent in this case being 3500ft amsl to FL195.

Control Areas (CTA) A control area is an area of airspace that is usually used to link a number of aerodromes to airways, CTAs are also marked on a 1:250,000 chart as a thick square dotted blue line. It extends vertically from a specified base altitude or flight level to an upper limit which is marked as a flight level. Particularly busy CTAs such as Daventry are Class A, most others are Class D.

Airways An airway is a corridor of Class A airspace linking two navigational aids. The vertical dimension is given from a base flight level to FL195 (where it becomes Class C airspace). The horizontal dimension is usually 10nm wide with the line linking the navigation aids being the centre line. FL195 FL75 10nm

Uncontrolled Airspace Class F airspace is also known as an ADR (Advisory Route). These are commonly used routes (usually between cities with significant amounts of countryside between them) but aren’t busy enough to warrant the establishment of an airway. Class G airspace makes up the remainder of the airspace and is often referred to as the Open FIR. It covers approximately 50% of UK airspace.

Aerodrome Traffic Zone (ATZ) An ATZ is the airspace around certain types of aerodrome. They adopt the class of airspace in which they are located. An aircraft must not enter an ATZ unless the commander has the permission of the ATC unit. If it doesn’t have an ATC unit, the commander must obtain information from the Airfield Information Service (AFIS) or Air/Ground (A/G) radio station to enable safe flight within the ATZ.

ATZ Sizes In this example we can see two different ATZ sizes. The ATZ at Duxford is a standard size because the runway length is less than 1850m. It has a 2nm radius from the mid-point of the longest runway. The ATZ at Cambridge is larger due to the runway being longer than 1850m. It has a radius of 2.5nm from the mid- point of the longest runway. All ATZs extend from 0 – 2000ft above aerodrome level (aal) unless otherwise stated.

A Standard ATZ ft aal 2nm radius from mid- point of longest runway In this example, we can see the ATZ around Syerston.

Military Aerodrome Traffic Zone (MATZ) A MATZ is the airspace around certain types of military aerodrome. When two or more military aerodromes are within 10nm of each other they will have a Combined Military Air Traffic Zone (CMATZ).

A MATZ has a 5nm radius from the mid-point of the longest runway. It extends vertically from surface to 3000ft aal. Some MATZs have stubs that extend a further 5nm from the edge of the MATZ in line with the approach to the main runway, they extend from 1000ft aal to 3000ft aal. 5nm Military Aerodrome Traffic Zone (MATZ)

On military charts the ATZ isn’t shown because military aircraft need permission to enter a MATZ. Civilian aircraft don’t need permission to enter a MATZ but it is strongly recommended. They still need permission to enter the ATZ (which is shown on civilian charts).

Military Air Traffic Zone In this example we can see a military airfield. The ATZ extends from ft aal, radius 2nm. The MATZ extends from ft aal, radius 5nm. And the stub extends a further 5nm to the left between 1000ft and 3000ft aal ft aal ft aal 5nm

Airspace Restrictions and Hazards A number of different restrictions and hazards are marked on the 1:250,000 chart. Some are permanent hazards and some are activated by NOTAM. The following slides are not exhaustive but are designed to give a good idea of the varying types and dimensions of restrictions and hazards.

Gliding site Most glider sites don’t have ATZs. Instead they have a gliding site zone. Permission is not required to enter, however it is strongly recommended. Unless otherwise stated, it is assumed that winch launching can take place up to 2000ft aal.

Freefall parachuting site Similar to glider sites, parachuting sites don’t always have ATZs. Instead they have a freefall parachuting zone. Permission is not required to enter, however it is strongly recommended. The parachuting zone will extend from surface to a Flight Level that will be shown on the chart, in this instance FL150.

High Intensity Radio Transmission Area (HIRTA) A HIRTA is an area within which radio transmissions/emissions are of such high energy that they could damage aircraft systems, in particular GPS equipment. In extreme circumstances they could even be harmful to health. The HIRTA shown is a large BT aerial site near Rugby.

Restricted areas (EG R) These are areas within which the flight of aircraft is restricted. The extent of the restriction can be found by looking up the reference number written on the chart in the UK Military Air Information Publication (AIP) They cover a wide range of areas from nuclear power stations and high security prisons to aerobatic training areas. This example is R313 around RAF Scampton. It is active from , Mon – Fri, surface to 9500ft. Within this period, entry into the restricted area is prohibited.

Danger areas (EG D) These are areas within which activities hazardous to flight are conducted. The extent of the hazard can be found by looking up the reference number written on the chart in the UK Military AIP. They cover a wide range of areas from artillery ranges to military research establishments. They can be crossed by contacting the appropriate Danger Area Crossing Service (DACS). The example shown is the air to surface firing range at Donna Nook. It extends from surface to 20,000ft amsl.

Prohibited areas (EG P) These are areas within which all flight is prohibited. The extent of the prohibited area can be found by looking up the reference number written on the chart in the UK Military AIP. They must be avoided by all aircraft. The example shown is the Harwell laboratory particle accelerator.

Provost Marshals Prohibited areas (PMP) These are areas within which the flight of military aircraft is prohibited by the RAF Provost Marshals. The prohibited area is marked on 1:250,000 charts by a thin red line. They will extend from surface to a height shown on the chart. They cover a wide range of areas from wildlife conservation areas to Royal estates. They are usually activated permanently or seasonally. Details of which can be found in the UK Military AIP. The example shown is the Royal estate at Sandringham.

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