Are you flying in Scotland this summer?
Please read this carefully and fully digest it. It has CAA approval, it is working; please use it!
North of 56°N, Scotland is trialing a Low Level Common VHF Frequency in uncontrolled airspace as an Airprox avoidance tool, enabling all pilots of both military and civilian aircraft to blind, self position and intention broadcast on the SafetyCom VHF Frequency 135.475.
The basic rules for use of the frequency are:
* Trial from 01/02/2015 – 01/10/2015
* North of 56°N (Helensburgh to Falkirk)
* Uncontrolled Airspace only
* 2,000’ AGL and below
* Keep transmissions short, simple & effective
* Report as you deem appropriate
* When safe to do so
* Any time it is deemed beneficial to safety
* Reply to other aircraft to avoid conflict
* Not a chat frequency
Good Position and Intention Reports may be every few minutes, upon entering a valley, close to a town, near a recognisable feature, approaching a choke point, crossing a loch, following a main road…
Examples:
"Cessna G-CD, 5 North of Perth, 1,500’, tracking North on the A9 to Inverness"
"Microlight G-EF, 6 South West of Oban, 900', tracking North West to the Isle of Mull for landing Glenforsa"
Notes: Use of this frequency should not take priority over obtaining a Basic Service from Scottish Information or a local ATC or Airport Information facility if available, but may/should be used along-side it if appropriate and the aircraft has 2 x VHF transceivers. If you do not hear any transmissions, you should not assume there’s no aircraft nearby. Use all measures available to avoid a Mid Air Collision, and maintain an effective lookout scan!
Repeat: It has CAA approval, it is working; please use it!
Aviate, Navigate, Communicate. Fly Safe!
There was quite a lot of consultation on this trial before it went live - in Northern Scotland of course as this is where the trial is taking place, and where the highest probability of an Airprox between a low level fast jet and a general aviation aircraft is likely to happen in Scotland.
A separate frequency would be fantastic, however, it was decided that the use of 135.475 would be the quickest route to being able to start using something to be able to blind, self position and report, rather than have nothing.
Remember, although it can be used anywhere within the trial zone, this is primarily for remote areas where one cannot be provided with a Basic Service from Scottish, (though feel free to use it anywhere if you have 2 radios, or want to flip-flop quickly to make a blind position and intention report on 135.475 then change back to Scottish,) and only for use north of 56* N. In that zone, there are very few aerodromes that use 135.475, and below 2,000' AGL the line of sight coverage for a VHF radio is quite limited in the Highlands, so frequency congestion should not be a factor. If it does become a factor, please say so.
It's a trial, please give it a try and report back to:
[email protected]
Thank you.