Transitting an ATZ?

[TotalBeginner]

Quick question:

What are the legal implications of transitting an ATZ outside of the AFIS or A/G "hours of watch"?

I'm aware that an AFISO or A/G operator can't actually refuse entry into an ATZ, but you are required to "obtain sufficient information from the AFIS or A/G unit to enable flight within the zone to be made safely".

Does this requirement only apply during hours of watch? Does the ATZ become "inactive" outside the hours of watch? Or, is it simply not possible to legally transit an ATZ outside of the hours of watch?

Thanks in advance!

[llanfairpg]

Flights within aerodrome traffic zones
45.—(1) Paragraphs (2) and (3) shall apply only in relation to those aerodromes described in
Column 1 of Table 3 as are notified for the purposes of this rule and at such times as are specified
in Column 2 of the Table.
Table 3
Column 1 Column 2
(a) A Government aerodrome At such times as are notified
(b) An aerodrome having an air traffic control
unit or flight information service unit
During the notified hours of watch of the air
traffic control unit or the flight information
service unit
(c) A licensed aerodrome having a means of
two-way radio communication with aircraft
During the notified hours of watch of the
air/ground station
(2) An aircraft shall not fly, take off or land within the aerodrome traffic zone of an aerodrome
unless the commander of the aircraft has complied with paragraphs (3), (4) or (5), as appropriate.
(3) If the aerodrome has an air traffic control unit the commander shall obtain the permission of
the air traffic control unit to enable the flight to be conducted safely within the zone.
(4) If the aerodrome has a flight information service unit the commander shall obtain
information from the flight information service unit to enable the flight to be conducted safely
within the zone.
(5) If there is no flight information service unit at the aerodrome the commander shall obtain
information from the air/ground communication service to enable the flight to be conducted safely
within the zone.
(6) The commander of an aircraft flying within the aerodrome traffic zone of an aerodrome
shall—
(a) cause a continuous watch to be maintained on the appropriate radio frequency notified for
communications at the aerodrome; or
(b) if this is not possible, cause a watch to be kept for such instructions as may be issued by
visual means; and
(c) if the aircraft is fitted with means of communication by radio with the ground,
communicate his position and height to the air traffic control unit, the flight information
service unit or the air/ground communication service at the aerodrome (as the case may
be) on entering the zone and immediately prior to leaving it.

[llanfairpg]

Please dont think I wrote that post , it's out of the ANO!

The other post is about the wisdom of flying OVER an atz.

[TotalBeginner]

Question answered!

Many thanks gentlemen!

[tmmorris]

NB that military airfield ATZs are H24 even if the ATSU is closed. So the only thing you can do out of hours is avoid the ATZ.

Tim

[Another_CFI]

Even with civil airfields all is not totally clear cut as shown by the following extracts from the UK-AIP.

Fairoaks - ATZ hours coincident with AFIS or A/G hours.

Chichester - ATZ hours co-incident with AFIS hours but not by arrangement.

Both airfields have published normal opening hours, but with a longer period avialable "by arrangement". At Fairoaks the ATZ exists during the "by arrangemant" hours if AFIS or A/G is available, however this is not the case at Chichester (Goodwood).

Farnborough - ATZ is hereby notified as being active H24 for the purposes of Rule 39 [note - Rule 45 in the current ANO] of the Rules of the Air Regulations 1996.

Pilots wishing permission to transit the Farnborough ATZ should in the first instance attempt to obtain that permission from Farnborough ATC on 125.250 MHz during the notified operating hours of that frequency. Outside these hours, contact Farnborough ATC by telephone prior to take-off.

Warning - Pilots must not enter the Farnborough ATZ during notified hours without prior permission.