Aberporth
West Wales Airport Ltd have securred a contract with MOD to provide facilities for development of the Army's new UAV, the Watchkeeper. I understand that flying will start during the summer.
Extension and widening of the runway is a development that has been planned since West Wales Airport took over the airport about eight years ago. The current developments have been designed to permit future upgrading of the runway to support instrument approach procedures.
While UAV flying is expected to increase, I understand that development plans include manned flights also. With a new runway length above 1200 metres and 30 metre width, use of the airport by most business jets and 40-70 seat turboprop passenger aircraft is a viable proposition.
Longer term development will include relocating the apron and tower to the south side of the runway, for which some preparatory work has been done during the current runway project.
Extension and widening of the runway is a development that has been planned since West Wales Airport took over the airport about eight years ago. The current developments have been designed to permit future upgrading of the runway to support instrument approach procedures.
While UAV flying is expected to increase, I understand that development plans include manned flights also. With a new runway length above 1200 metres and 30 metre width, use of the airport by most business jets and 40-70 seat turboprop passenger aircraft is a viable proposition.
Longer term development will include relocating the apron and tower to the south side of the runway, for which some preparatory work has been done during the current runway project.
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Aberporth worth a visit
Went to Aberporth (aka West Wales) today and it was well worth it.
It has that Oban feel about it: A very warm welcome from John, who drove out to the runway to clear the birds as I approached then offered tea and cake, then showed us around, then provided a map to Aberporth and so on.
Thanks John for a very warm welcome, and a great history lesson on the site and surrounds.
A great coastline to fly up, an excellent lunch in the Ship Inn making a great day.
Yes you do need to phone PPR before departing, but that's all. It is a simple and welcoming place to fly into.
It has that Oban feel about it: A very warm welcome from John, who drove out to the runway to clear the birds as I approached then offered tea and cake, then showed us around, then provided a map to Aberporth and so on.
Thanks John for a very warm welcome, and a great history lesson on the site and surrounds.
A great coastline to fly up, an excellent lunch in the Ship Inn making a great day.
Yes you do need to phone PPR before departing, but that's all. It is a simple and welcoming place to fly into.
Things certainly have moved on at West Wales Aberporth, runway extended and widened and now, as of yesterday (30 June 2016), "West Wales Radar" 126.070 MHZ went operational using radar equipment located on the airport, but service provided for WWA by Newquay ATC. Looks as if they are becoming self sufficient for flying of UAS (used to be called UAV), what next NATS loose the MOD Aberporth Radar contract as nobody wants to use their over priced service when WWA can apparently provide a much cheaper option? Well done WWA, looks as if you've taken on the big boys (apparently who are very upset about it and tried everything to stop West Wales Radar happening) and are winning.
Wasn't Llanbedr meant to become the UK's leading centre for flying UAS? Looks as if that's not now happening, despite a multi thousand pound investment by Welsh Assembly Government, after they'd previously put money into WWA!
Wasn't Llanbedr meant to become the UK's leading centre for flying UAS? Looks as if that's not now happening, despite a multi thousand pound investment by Welsh Assembly Government, after they'd previously put money into WWA!
Its in the West Wales Airport's AD2 entry, effective 21 July, page AD 2-EGFA-5, section 4 c).
I queried the fact that its not included in the ENR 5 section with the Danger Area D202 entry, apparently the normal Danger Area Managers (QinetiQ/NATS?) thought that if it was included it would confuse people!
When has the word "or" confused people? Especially in this case where if "Aberporth Information" (although they call themselves "Aberporth Radar" if you call on 119.650) are not controlling the Danger Area the alternative manager will be specified in the relevant NOTAM.
I also queried the frequency, why an 8.33 kHz channel? To which the reply was along the line of "we've run out of 25 kHz channels, and anyway you'll have to have an 8.33 kHz radio by 1 January 2018". I'd better start saving or hope that Father Christmas is kind to me.
I queried the fact that its not included in the ENR 5 section with the Danger Area D202 entry, apparently the normal Danger Area Managers (QinetiQ/NATS?) thought that if it was included it would confuse people!
When has the word "or" confused people? Especially in this case where if "Aberporth Information" (although they call themselves "Aberporth Radar" if you call on 119.650) are not controlling the Danger Area the alternative manager will be specified in the relevant NOTAM.
I also queried the frequency, why an 8.33 kHz channel? To which the reply was along the line of "we've run out of 25 kHz channels, and anyway you'll have to have an 8.33 kHz radio by 1 January 2018". I'd better start saving or hope that Father Christmas is kind to me.
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OK thanks found it now. But it is very weird. The air traffic services provided by and for the airport remain A/G or AFIS only, on 122.15. West Wales Radar is only listed as a managing authority for D201 - but only one of three such authorities. I suspect West Wales radar is only activated when the D202s - the UAV corridors between Aberporth and Sennybridge - are activated, because Aberporth Information - the NATS controllers located at the Aberporth Range Control building - are the authority for any operations inside D201. And if the D202s are active, chances are you won't get into West Wales Airport anyway because it's full of UAV activities.
NorthSouth
West Wales Radar's primary role is to support unmanned aircraft flying at West Wales. To do this it manages D202 and as necessary others in the D202 complex, it also has the authority to manage D201 for unmanned aircraft flying, subject to MOD Aberporth not requiring to use it (which is quite a frequent occurrence).
West Wales Airport is not "full of UAV activity" and regularly handles manned aircraft flights. I can recommend flying in there, a good bunch of guys running the airport and the AFIS who will bend over backwards to accommodate you. Just ring on the day of intended flight, they'll tell you if unmanned aircraft flying is planned, and if so give you a time which should avoid, or at least minimise any delay. I have never been refused permission to use the aerodrome.
Rule of thumb is that if a UAV is airborne and working either Aberporth or West Wales Radar, an entry into/out of D202 is given if the UAV is above about 3000 FT.
West Wales Radar's primary role is to support unmanned aircraft flying at West Wales. To do this it manages D202 and as necessary others in the D202 complex, it also has the authority to manage D201 for unmanned aircraft flying, subject to MOD Aberporth not requiring to use it (which is quite a frequent occurrence).
West Wales Airport is not "full of UAV activity" and regularly handles manned aircraft flights. I can recommend flying in there, a good bunch of guys running the airport and the AFIS who will bend over backwards to accommodate you. Just ring on the day of intended flight, they'll tell you if unmanned aircraft flying is planned, and if so give you a time which should avoid, or at least minimise any delay. I have never been refused permission to use the aerodrome.
Rule of thumb is that if a UAV is airborne and working either Aberporth or West Wales Radar, an entry into/out of D202 is given if the UAV is above about 3000 FT.
