UK-Instrument approach areas

[Lister Noble]

I am a PPL and have a question re ILS areas.
Some airfields have instrument procedures outside CAS.eg Norwich.


These are indicated on the chart by the instrument flight track with inset chevrons.
Some are out of CAS by several miles.
What heights are these and do these "control" area go down to ground level all the way?
If non radio,what is the best procedure around these areas.
Stay well away from the shown track at any height?

Lister:):)

[Dizzee Rascal]

All the instrument approaches start at different levels and there may be more than one instrument approach at each airport but there will only be one set of these 'chevrons'- along the main instrument procedure. For approaches inside CAS these approaches will not be shown on the VFR chart.

The CAA recommends that pilots operating outside CAS and within 10nm of an instrument approach to contact the relevant approach unit, obviously not possible by a non radio aircraft, maybe a good idea to brief yourself of the approaches and holding patterns and perhaps stay well away.

[LXGB]

Dizzee's advice is spot on. If you've got a radio, it's good airmanship to call if you're flying near one of these areas, especially if crossing the actual approach or missed approach areas.
If you don't have a radio, it's best to avoid them, or at least phone the relevant ATC unit before you take off to give them a heads up.

Most procedures (but not all) are based on a 3 degree glidepath. It's not a good idea to try and sneak under or climb over the approach area to avoid talking to ATC. This causes problems as we don't know your intentions and will most likely have to break off traffic on the approach if it looks like you are going to get within 5 miles of it.

LXGB

[Dizzee Rascal]

It's not a good idea to try and sneak under or climb over the approach area to avoid talking to ATC. This causes problems as we don't know your intentions and will most likely have to break off traffic on the approach if it looks like you are going to get within 5 miles of it.

Unless it's at an aerodrome where there is no radar and it's all being done procedurally and in which case no one will know you are there!

[rogervisual]

Dizzie, - "no one will know you are there" used to be the case before TCAS but commercial traffic these days will with TCAS. There are a few old and bold (no make that old and stupid) pilots who have been caught out by it in recent years. ATC operating without radar would also have a good idea of the area you are operating in using VDF, assuming you are talking to them.

[HEATHROW DIRECTOR]

<<Dizzie, - "no one will know you are there" used to be the case before TCAS but commercial traffic these days will with TCAS. >>

TCAS is of no benefit if the guy in the clockwork mouse doesn't have a transponder. It beggars belief that anyone would fly an aeroplane nowadays non-radio but I guess the die-hards are still around..

[Dizzee Rascal]

Dizzie, - "no one will know you are there" used to be the case before TCAS but commercial traffic these days will with TCAS. There are a few old and bold (no make that old and stupid) pilots who have been caught out by it in recent years. ATC operating without radar would also have a good idea of the area you are operating in using VDF, assuming you are talking to them.

This guy is non radio (either not equipped with one or doesn’t want to switch it on) so VDF is a non starter.

Granted, he may have a transponder and even if he does switch it on there may well be non-commercial aircraft without TCAS doing the procedure.

Even if there is radar, depending on the aircraft type and position it might not paint on radar (assuming no transponder).

[rogervisual]

The bottom line hears guys is, DO call the unit the approach lane/area is associated with or if non-radio plan to fly well clear of it, especially if it is a non-radar unit.