Airspace app wins NATS approval

[NATS Infringements]

UK air traffic control company, NATS, has given its seal of approval to a new app designed to help pilots avoid infringing into controlled airspace.

The UK AirspaceAVOID app from PocketFMS has been awarded the NATS Airspace Awareness Compliance Mark. The mark means that the app meets NATS’ criteria for airspace awareness and infringement prevention.

PocketFMS has developed UK AirspaceAVOID for iOS and Android devices specifically to help pilots flying in the UK to avoid an infringement. Pilots using the app can see their position relative to the airspace around them and get a warning as they approach controlled airspace.

UK AirspaceAVOID also automatically provides the appropriate call sign and frequency to contact the nearest air traffic control service.

The app is free to download and use via AirspaceAVOID - Can you afford to fly without? (http://www.PocketFMS.com/UKAA) and the airspace data is updated every 28 days. The latest NOTAMs are also provided by a live link to EuroControl to ensure that pilots always have the latest information available.

Bob Ivison of PocketFMS said: “We are delighted that UK AirspaceAVOID is the first totally free in-flight moving map system to attain the NATS compliance mark. We believe this will go a long way to helping to reduce the number of airspace infringements and helping to keep the sky safer for all.”

In order for a product to receive NATS’ Airspace Awareness Compliance Mark it has to meet certain criteria:

Be low cost (less than £200)
Include a suitable VFR database
Show 3D airspace warnings
Be portable
Provide free updates of airspace in accordance with AIRAC updates

Jonathan Smith, NATS General Aviation Lead, said: “We know from our infringements prevention work that GPS moving map functionality such as UK AirspaceAVOID really helps support the safe and successful execution of VFR flights. We’re delighted to award the team at PocketFMS the NATS Compliance Mark”

The UK AirspaceAVOID app follows the Airbox AWARE iPad and iPhone app as a recipient of the Compliance Mark.

[soaringhigh650]

NATS, I'm getting tired.

All of your postings in private flying forums go on and on about infringements.

Yet almost all your airspace you manage strictly prohibits VFR flight.

Will you actually wake up one day and make some effort to integrate all the air traffic, or will you just keep waving the "keep out" card all over again?

:=

[Dave Gittins]

Just downloaded it to my iPod to see what it does and after an initial screen with a Union Jack and the App title, it just crashes back to the iPod home screen.

[wb9999]

soaringhigh650, NATS also manage a large number of Class D CTRs, where VFR traffic is permitted with a clearance. I generally find their ATCOs helpful for transits.

[m.Berger]

Crashes a Galaxy Ace. Needs to work to be worth a compliance certification NATS.

[magpienja]

No joy on my ace either...saying memory prob...but I have lots of memory left.

[Gonzo]

Soaringhigh,

Take a look at OP's user name. You wonder why it posts information about infringements. :ugh:

[soaringhigh650]

Gonzo,

You wonder why it posts information about infringements.

That's exactly my whole point! There's not much else coming from NATS other than infringements. :ugh:

So... is it really true that pilots are trained that badly on this side of the Atlantic or does your airspace need some real looking at?

"Remain outside controlled airspace. Remain outside controlled airspace. No instrument rating? Remain outside controlled airspace!!" :}

[Gonzo]

I assume you must be nearly finished drawing up your ACP, when are you submitting it to DAP?

Please do let me have a read of it.:ok:

[paulthornton]

This works OK for me on iOS - no crashes or problems. It looks like a useful application - anything that helps situational awareness is a good thing.

As an aside, and I have no affiliation whatsoever with NATS, I think it is unfair to broadly tar their units with the "remain outside controlled airspace" brush. I have always had very good success in getting (S)VFR transits through major airport zones and cannot fault what is essentially an excellent free service that GA enjoys.

I have had only one occasion in the past few months where I was asked to leave controlled airspace mid-transit, and that was to give way to the air ambulance. I have no problem whatsoever doing that, anywhere in the sky.

Paul.

[ShyTorque]

Yet almost all your airspace you manage strictly prohibits VFR flight.

Only Class A airspace prohibits VFR and it's very often possible to gain a SVFR clearance, if requiring a crossing of a CTR.

[soaringhigh650]

I assume you must be nearly finished drawing up your ACP, when are you submitting it to DAP?

No UK pilot I know recalls ever seeing any proposal from NATS/CAA when all this Class A was being drawn up.

Do you have a copy of it? I would enjoy reading it too. :ok:

[Gonzo]

No, you misunderstand me Soaringhigh,

All of your postings in private flying forums go on and on about infringements.

You have very strong views on the amount of Class A, and how wrong it is. In fact, one might almost say that 'all of your postings in private flying forums go on and on about Class A airspace and how there's too much of it and how wrong it all is'.

I had naively assumed that you had tried to do something about it by writing an ACP to propose to change it.

Why not try it?:ok:

[dublinpilot]

Guys,

I think that you are all missing the point here.

A new GPS airspace awareness tool has been developed by PocketFMS (to standards developed by NATS) and has been awarded certification by NATS.

It runs on Apple and Android phones and tablets.

It has been made available to pilots in the UK for free. Using it will help cut down on infringements.

That has to be a good thing for all involved, irrespective of airspace design.

dp

[Maoraigh1]

Looked for it on Google store today. Found it easily. Downloaded it to my cheap Chinese Android with ICS.(No brand name on it) No problem. Ran it. No problem Did the tutorials. Tried it on the ground. No problem -it came up with my local map.
I'll try it in the air next flight.

[dublinpilot]

Just to let you know that the new Blackpool RMZ, which is active from 27 August to 23 September, the Central Area plus the Eastern & Western stubs have been added to the UK AirspaceAVOID Aerodata cycles for this AIP period.

This will ensure that all users get the appropriate airspace alerts as they approach these areas.