shamrock7seal
The reason for the orbit is a lack of controlled airspace for the Solent CTA. IFR arrivals from the north have to stay above FL65 until about 12 miles from touchdown, far above the normal 3 degree glidepath for a 20 arrival. The result is a 360 degree turn to allow sufficient time for the aircraft to lose the excess height. What we used to call a "Winchester 2 arrival" - 'cos you got to see Winchester twice on the way in!
The nett result is extra fuel burn and yet more Co2 into the atmosphere and cost to the airlines.
Thought that environmental protection was/is part of the past & present airport operator's operating ethos?
So why cannot sufficient controlled airspace be provided for the Solent CTA? The original excuse was that there was a considerable amount of test flying at Dunsfold and Farnborough that required to have unimpeded transit to/from the west for air tests. How long ago did BAe move out of Dunsfold and MOD/ETPS move out of Farnborough?
During the Olympics temporary controlled airspace was provided to avoid having to fly the orbits, why not now as a permanent measure? Time for the airport operator (with NATS help) to kick off an Airspace Change Proposal to get the airspace needed? I would suggest that extension of the Solent CTA has more credibility than the recent outrageous airspace change proposals for Farnborough to provide controlled airspace to protect the multi millionaires who chose to use it for their private jets rather than take a schedule flight.