The PTA procedures are something you must take into account - just hassle factor really, no costs: see
http://www.ulsterflyingclub.plus.com/fly.htm
Guidelines for flights to and from Newtownards from outside Northern Ireland
Legal Position
The 'Prevention of Terrorism Act' requires that all flights to & from Northern Ireland, The Isle of Mann and the Channel Islands shall take place between 'Designated Airports' unless permission has been obtained in advance from the Chief Constable of the Police Force responsible for the airport.
The normal minimum period of advance notice required is 12 hours however some constabularies (including Northern Ireland) require 24 hours notice or even more at weekends. Some RAF airfields require 7 days notice!
Newtownards Airport is NOT a designated airport and therefore advance permission must be obtained.
Additional constraints apply to helicopter flights in and out of Northern Ireland.
Remember that you must obtain permission for both ends of your flight from the relevant local Police. (In other words obtaining departure approval from Prestwick does NOT secure landing approval at Newtownards even though you told Scottish Special Branch your destination.)
Departure from Newtownards to a destination outside Northern Ireland
Contact Police Authority - Force control (028) 90650222 and request advance permission for the flight. They will require (at least) 24hrs notice
• Date and time (local) and points of proposed departure and arrival. • Aircraft type and registration
• Name, address, date of birth for Pilot and all passengers • Contact phone number
Once permission has been obtained, complete departure cards for all passengers and crew and deposit in the UFC general Office before departure. Write the aircraft registration on the back of the Pilot in Command's card.
Fill in the 'Record of Flights In and Out of NI' sheet in the lobby, indicate the number of passengers carried in the Remarks column. (e.g. +2)
Arrival at Newtownards from a destination outside Northern Ireland
Contact Police Authority - Force control (028) 90650222 and request advance permission for the flight. They will require (at least) 24hrs notice
• Date and time (local) and points of proposed departure and arrival. • Aircraft type and registration
• Name, address, date of birth for Pilot and all passengers • Contact phone number
Upon arrival at Newtownards complete arrival cards for all passengers and crew and deposit in the UFC general office. Write the aircraft registration on the back of the Pilot in Command's card.
Fill in the 'Record of Flights In and Out of NI' sheet in the lobby, indicate the number of passengers carried in the Remarks column. (e.g. +2)
Flight between a non-designated Airfield in the UK & Northern Ireland
Contact the UK airfield in advance and cheek what local procedure they have in force for obtaining permission. Some have a standard pro-forma that can he returned by FAX. Give as much notice as possible and have available the information on Pilot and Passengers as detailed above. Remember that that some airfields also require prior permission for all visiting aircraft.