Originally Posted by
POBJOY
The 'dwindling' numbers of PPL'rs will no doubt be aware that MATZ are not 'controlled airspace' although it is usual practice to contact them.
However there is a difference between legal requirement and courtesy to make contact and inform them of your intentions.
The ATZ is theirs but the MATZ bit is advisory for Civil traffic. In practice a well run unit will always wish to speed things along, however lazy ones attempt to send traffic 'around the house's' and this is not GOOD AIR TRAFFIC.After all we have far less military aircraft in the system now so why the pressure.
True a MATZ is uncontrolled class G airspace however, if the CAA approve an increase in the size of the Brize Zone, it will be class D controlled airspace.
More likely would be a Danger Area as presently exists at Weston-on-the-Green which I presume the Abingdon DZ will replace; this could be activated by NOTAM thus leaving the airspace class G when not in use for paras.
Hm Weston already has a gliding club; it would be an excellent place for a Viking VGS if the paras move out.