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22to355
14th Feb 2020, 22:48
Confusion reigns! Has anyone heard any clarification on what will happen after 25th March 2020 when the UK CAA ORS4 is cancelled and the 'clear of cloud' part is removed? 1000ft from cloud then is VFR? All thoughts very welcome! Cheers all..

ATCO Two
15th Feb 2020, 07:32
See here http://publicapps.caa.co.uk/docs/33/20200214SI%202020-01%20-%20Expiry%20of%20ORS4%201312%20(V1).pdf

Hot and Hi
15th Feb 2020, 07:41
See here http://publicapps.caa.co.uk/docs/33/20200214SI%202020-01%20-%20Expiry%20of%20ORS4%201312%20(V1).pdf
In short ATCO, what does this mean for helicopters in the UK?

MightyGem
15th Feb 2020, 20:53
See Appendix A, Table 2:
Alternatively, at or below 900 m (3 000 ft) amsl.
For aircraft including helicopters, flying at 140 kt IAS or less
Class G airspace (ORS4 no. 1341) Clear of cloud and with the surface in sight. 1500 m

Another 16 references to helicopters in there.

22to355
15th Feb 2020, 22:20
See Appendix A, Table 2:

Another 16 references to helicopters in there.

yes it does but only in Class G does it say Clear of Cloud. So Class D for example 1000ft separation?

MightyGem
16th Feb 2020, 19:35
yes it does but only in Class G does it say Clear of Cloud. So Class D for example 1000ft separation?
Special VFR? Down to 800m and 600ft it would appear in class D

22to355
16th Feb 2020, 20:07
No that’s for Emergency Helicoptets etc.. Still 1000ft clear if cloud. Unless I’m reading it wrong 🙈

OvertHawk
16th Feb 2020, 20:24
No that’s for Emergency Helicoptets etc.. Still 1000ft clear if cloud. Unless I’m reading it wrong 🙈

Think you read it wrong - it's 800m viz / 600 feet cloud-base for helicopters under SVFR in class D and only the emergency operators listed may operate in less than that. At least that's how i read it.

OH

22to355
16th Feb 2020, 20:48
But the 1000ft Separation from cloud seems to still hold? The ‘clear of cloud’ dropped?

NorthSouth
17th Feb 2020, 10:29
Yes they're dropping 'clear of cloud' so if you are 999ft vertically from cloud you have to be on a SVFR clearance. Which of course means ATC has all the hassle of separating you from all IFR traffic - and indeed all other SVFRs.
And they're doing this without any warning, having promised last year to publish the results of the consultation they undertook, and the measures they are taking to respond to points made by consultees.
It will mean lots more transit delays and refusals.
And all so that the UK can say it's now fully aligned with SERA - the month after we have left the EU!

ShyTorque
17th Feb 2020, 13:04
This is going to make getting in and out of London Heliport rather tricky, even in relatively good weather.

SFIM
17th Feb 2020, 15:10
London tours where we deliberately don’t ask for SPVFR to avoid the increased separation criteria are going to become a problem ☹️

22to355
17th Feb 2020, 15:56
2300 for Heathrow then.

HeliAl
18th Feb 2020, 06:30
So what happens to GA airfields within class D
ie. Fairoaks and Denham.

PlasticCabDriver
18th Feb 2020, 07:37
Aberdeen is going to be fun...

NorthSouth
18th Feb 2020, 11:04
So what happens to GA airfields within class D
ie. Fairoaks and Denham.Deemed SVFR in their LFAs anyway so makes no difference unless you're heading into the London CTR proper.

ShyTorque
18th Feb 2020, 14:37
Deemed SVFR in their LFAs anyway so makes no difference unless you're heading into the London CTR proper.

But it will be more interesting leaving Fairoaks after the newly published Farnborough CAS comes into force on 27th of this month.

SASless
18th Feb 2020, 14:43
Don't you just love it when Rule changes simplify things!

How many CAA prosecutions for Rules Violations will come from this you think?

22to355
20th Feb 2020, 13:19
https://www.caa.co.uk/News/Visual-flight-in-Class-D-airspace/

NorthSouth
20th Feb 2020, 16:13
But it will be more interesting leaving Fairoaks after the newly published Farnborough CAS comes into force on 27th of this month.Arguably easier since there will no longer be a need for "not above 1400ft QNH unless co-ordinated with Farnborough".

ShyTorque
20th Feb 2020, 21:27
It’s the timely coordination that could be the issue.