Reviving my old thread and making a very long post - a double crime - but it seems the appropriate place to highlight that the CAA looks on track to resolve much of the inconsistency surrounding service provision in UK Class E that was the subject of much of the discussion above. The
Class F Replacement consultation response contains the statement that
Assessment of UK regulatory material has highlighted inconsistencies in the manner in which Class E service provision requirements are presented in the UK AIP. These are in the process of being corrected in order to provide the necessary consistency
Allied to the recent CAP774 amendments, I would almost hazard the statement that the CAA is moving in a sensible direction! The long text that follows is from the same link and indicates how the new Class E+TMZ airspace is likely to be handled. To my mind, such airspace would also be quite suitable for replacing MATZs to give a bit more protection to military traffic on IMC departures / recoveries without overly restricting civil aviation - how about it, CAA / MAA ?
The need for Class E+TMZ CONOPS
32. ICAO Annex 11 Chapter 2 states that IFR and VFR flights are permitted in Class E; IFR flights are provided with air traffic control service and are separated from other IFR flights. All flights receive traffic information as far as is practical. In service provision terms, the change from Class F to Class E will guarantee the provision of ‘air traffic control service’ to IFR traffic. With this comes greater clarity on services to IFR traffic, and a greater consistency of service than could be the case in Class G.
33. With regards to service provision to VFR traffic, stakeholders were invited to comment on current UK service provision arrangements within Class E – specifically the merits (or otherwise) of providing Air Traffic Control Service to communicating flights, and whether or not such provision is to be limited to the designated airspace controlling authority. Limited feedback was received, but nevertheless this informed the post-consultation development of the CONOPS.
34. The draft CONOPS can be summarised as follows:
a. Class E airspace is controlled airspace in which IFR and VFR flights are permitted, but only IFR flights are subject to ATC clearance.
b. VFR pilots in Class E airspace must be aware of the Class E airspace VMC and the need for separation based on the ‘see and avoid’ principle.
c. IFR pilots in Class E airspace need to be aware that despite being in receipt of an ATC clearance, they may be required to manoeuvre in order to comply with Rules of the Air Regulations 2007 Rule 8, and shall advise ATC whenever this is necessary.
d. ATCOs need to understand that pilots of IFR flights may need to vary from their clearance in order to comply with Rules of the Air.
e. VFR aircraft within Class E airspace that is also notified as a TMZ shall carry and operate a Mode S SSR transponder.
f. VFR aircraft operating without a functioning Mode S SSR transponder shall obtain approval to enter the airspace from the notified airspace controlling authority. Such aircraft are required to be either in radio contact with the
controlling authority (but would not require a clearance to cross), or to operate in accordance with agreed procedures. Appropriate arrangements for non-radio access by aircraft without an appropriate or functioning transponder may be developed at local level. However, CAA will develop proposed standardised approvals for consideration by airspace controlling authorities. CAA will also develop guidance and RT phraseology for controllers in tactically applying such approvals.
g. All IFR flights shall be subject to an ATC clearance and require continuous twoway communications.
h. VFR flights do not require ATC clearance and, subject to compliance with the notified TMZ requirements, do not require two-way communications.
i. VFR flights not complying with the notified TMZ SSR requirements require approval to enter the airspace.
j. ATS provision in Class E airspace is determined by the flight rules that the aircraft is operating under.
k. An Air Traffic Control Service (Radar Control Service where surveillance is utilised) shall be provided to IFR aircraft.
l. ATC shall separate IFR aircraft from other IFR aircraft.
m. IFR aircraft shall be provided with traffic information, as far as is practical, on VFR aircraft. The controller shall update the traffic information if it continues to constitute a definite hazard, or if requested by the pilot.
n. IFR flights shall be provided with avoiding action when requested by the pilot. If the pilot reports that he has the unknown aircraft in sight further controller action may then be limited to passing traffic information. Provision of collision avoidance advice to IFR flights is considered to be addressed through extant ‘duty of care’
and does not need to be explicitly prescribed with regard to Class E airspace.
o. VFR flights are not separated.
p. VFR flights that request an ATS shall be provided with traffic information as far as practical. This shall be achieved through the provision of a UK Flight Information Service as requested by the pilot, subject to ATS unit capability to provide the requested service.
q. IFR flights transitioning from Class G to Class E airspace and vice-versa will be advised of ATS changes as per normal ATC procedures for entering and leaving controlled airspace.
r. VFR flights in receipt of an ATS and identified using surveillance systems transitioning from Class G to Class E airspace will be advised that they are entering Class E airspace and to maintain VMC.
s. VFR flights in receipt of an ATS and identified using surveillance systems transitioning from Class E to Class G airspace will be advised that they are leaving Class E airspace.
t. VFR Flights that have not been identified using surveillance systems may be instructed to report entering/leaving Class E airspace. Established reporting points and geographical points may also be employed as necessary.
u. IFR and VFR flights transitioning from Class A/C/D airspace into Class E airspace shall be advised by ATC that they are entering Class E airspace.
v. IFR flights transitioning from Class E airspace into Class A/C/D airspace shall be advised of the change in airspace classification.
w. VFR flights in receipt of an ATS in Class E airspace and transitioning into Class C-D airspace must request a clearance, and subject to such a clearance, they will be advised of ATS changes as per current procedures.
x. If a pilot of a VFR aircraft reports that they are unable to maintain VMC and are able to continue flight under IFR, ATC shall provide Radar Control (if in contact with a unit authorised to provide such service) and separate aircraft as soon as practical. Reduced vertical separation may be applied as necessary until standard separation is able to be applied. Essential traffic information shall be provided.
y. ATC units may need to develop proposals for CAA approval to provide SSR only services, as currently provided in Class F airspace, for its direct replacement as Class E.