IO,
It is not a "European" problem but a UK CAA one. There are GPS approaches at a number of European airports (including Hungary). The CAA are being there normal pathetic, money grabbing selves. See below the Email string I had with a German pal about GPS approaches:
Do the airports concerned (STRAUBING & EGGENFELDEN) have full Air Traffic Control, and are they “licensed”. Can one use the procedure to land at the airports when there is no ATC? I quote the UK CAA proposed approval: “The CAA has approved the use in the UK of RNAV (GNSS) Approach procedures. RNAV (GNSS) 2-Dimensional Non-Precision Approach (NPA) procedures and 3-Dimensional Barometric VNAV (APV Baro VNAV) approach procedures will be authorised only to suitable instrument runways, at appropriately equipped licensed aerodromes with Air Traffic Control (ATC) services.”
Best wishes,
T
"Hi T,
we don't have these term "licensed" for an airfield. For the period of an approach there is an airspace "F" activated, which means traffic advisories for VFR and IFR. The "Tower" has the Information function as for VFR and gives no clearances. The airfield requirements are manned Info Freq and ATIS, besides the approved approach procedure, of course.
best regards
F
So taking the example of Blackbushe.(If it was in Germany). It does not have ATC – it has an Airfield Flight Information Service (AFIS). He is not a controller. He issues advisories – QNH, QFE and traffic info. So reading your email, if Blackbushe was in Germany and the AFIS was working and there was an approved approach procedure one could fly an approved GPS approach?
T
"exactly, Blackbushe is directly comparable to Straubing oder Eggenfelden"
F