Circuit Basher
It's good to see someone recognising that despite the fact that blame can be ascribed fairly and squarely to the offender there are nonetheless still things that can be done by others to reduce the likelyhood of infringements.
For those who are having problems with the AIS site here are a number of pointers.
Guidance on which type of briefing to use can be found
here. You will also find details on alternative methods of getting briefs. Not having Internet access is no excuse for not briefing. You can get them by fax or telephone.
For those who hanker after a geographic sort it is still available, look at the VFR FIR briefs.
Background reading
here
Print the FAQ's and PIB Help off the website. These documents are very useful and once you have gone through them you will be able to use the site to its full potential. By default the site will give you everything (the safest option). Understanding and using the tools available enables you to filter the data down to exclude irrelevant info. If having used the tools you still getting irrelevant info contact AIS. They are very good at responding. Remember, they don't write the NOTAM, every man and his dog can do that so errors do creep in. AIS do offer advice to promulgators but some just won't be told and have enough clout to override them.
The requirement to register allows NATS to monitor usage and the requirements of different types of user. Registration is free and only takes a few moments. It's no different to the Met Office site but no-one seems to gripe about registering for that. It also allows briefs to be traced. A pilot recently complained that the TRA for the Bournemouth Airshow was not included in his brief. Knowing his username and password AIS were able to trace his brief and find out what went wrong. (He had entered the date incorrectly).
The format and syntax of the information required (including the date) is exactly the same as that for an ICAO Flight Plan. 030826 may not match the normal date format (26/08/03) in the UK but aviation is an international business and we should conform to the internationally agreed format.
AIC's are distributed to aircraft owners. They are not generally regarded as required reading before flight. Among other things AIC's are used when complex or graphical information needs to be disseminated where the NOTAM format is unsuitable. In these cases a NOTAM will be issued referring to the AIC and the AIC should then be consulted for details. A prime example of this is the AIC for the PFA Rally. You will not find an AIC being issued on its own for a TRA. There will always be a NOTAM referring you to the AIC.
I hope this helps clear up some of the confusion
Mike