Fly on Track is run on behalf of GASCo and is part of the Airspace & Safety Initiative. It is a gateway to a wealth of information, including a video guide to flying around the London TMA.
I had never heard of Fly On Track before you mentioned it. I did hear of On Track Aviation (which has a similar name) but that is a training organisation. It does look like there is substantial information on there which is good to see!
As I tried to explain, the NATS AIS website must follow the ICAO standard, designed for ease of use by pilots across the world. Check out some others out here.
I do understand that - and was not advocating to "just put it in the AIP", I was suggesting having a new tab on the same website (
NATS | AIS - Home) entitled "Pilot Guides" (or words to that effect) where you could host NATS guides to airspace and UK CAA safety leaflets / guides / airprox issues / other related documents to increase pilot knowledge, updated periodically to ensure publication currency.
As you need to go to that website for airport charts, instrument approach plates, notams etc... All sorts of pilot information prior to flight (unless of course you have Skydemon or other electronic system that fetches them from there); It could be the one stop shop for all your requirements as a pilot.
It is good that you want to understand the airspace you intend to operate in and I am sure you will soon find your way around the various sources of information available. As a last resort, there is always Pprune, but I wouldn't believe all you read there.
I found it particularly important in NZ to be able to know the airspace before flight. Especially in the Auckland area, and the Queenstown area where there are particularly complicated bits of airspace, low VFR transit routes, particular mountain passes to clear with safety altitudes, particular blind frequencies in various zones... Etc... And it did make me think about how much easier it would have been to be able to read these guides prior to embarking on a flight to unknown territory in the UK.
Having learnt to fly at Biggin, and it being under the London TMA did make some aspects of learning to fly more complicated, albeit perhaps I am now more prepared for controlled environments. Had I not done some flying in NZ, I probably would not have been as comfortable in uncontrolled environments as I am now. This did not stop me from exploring uncontrolled environments before then at all but the guides published by the NZ CAA with regards to both controlled and uncontrolled environments for instance, do make you feel more prepared for the various environments. They remind you of the importance of clearly stating your position, rights of way, and particular calls that do help other pilots in the area visualise where you are and what you are doing, which I seldom hear on the radio in the UK. This in my mind would greatly improve safety should all pilots at least be able to access the same information about what is to be expected on route, and what is expected of you as a pilot.
This of course doesn't make it foolproof, but at least would be an easy recommendation to any new and old pilot should they make a mistake or should they have a close call. We all know as pilots that we need to keep learning, or else get out of flying - and for good reason too. Why make it so hard for people to find up to date, accurate information? But more importantly than anything - the SAME information - as instructors teach different methods, teach different requirements etc... If there were to be a single guide, would it not make everyone have the same basic knowledge and hence make us all more safe in the air?