A/G to FIS

[Squawk 2650]

Hi there,

Just wondering what would justify an Air Ground airfield to upgrade to FIS??

From what I understand the two are very similar apart from control on the ground and maybe the airfields fire equipment?? (and obviously the person in the towers qualifications) Does it have anything to do with number of movements per year??

Any info would be great.

Cheers,
L.

[niknak]

Not 100% sure, but i am pretty sure that if the airfield wants to be licensed by the CAA, as opposed to little or no regulation, they also have to provide a minimum service to a/c during the period of time the licence is operational.
For example, the owner my want flying training or flying for hire and reward to take place at certain times, and this would be when a FISO or better service, and minimum fire sevice cover would be required.
I don't think that there is a minimum number of movements, it's just those that may be operated for hire and reward that count.

[Spitoon]

It's generally up to the airport operator to decide what level of service they want to provide. Although the CAA does have the power to tell an airport to provide a particular level of service I don't think it does it very often.

It's less to do with what goes on at the airport - except that to accept commercial operations an airport will have to have ATC or FIS - and in most cases comes down to the workload and safety. There is no magical figure, it will depend a lot on the layout of the airport, e.g. lots of runway crossings would be a good reason to have FIS.

[Chilli Monster]

For example, the owner my want flying training or flying for hire and reward to take place at certain times, and this would be when a FISO or better service, and minimum fire sevice cover would be required.

Flying training can be conducted at A/G airfields quite happily - it just requires the aerodrome to be licensed.

[Talkdownman]

Squawk 2650,

The only REQUIREMENT for aerodrome FIS is laid down in 'SECTION 3 THE AIR NAVIGATION (GENERAL) REGULATIONS 1993 Rule 15 - Aeroplanes flying for the purpose of public transport of passengers – aerodrome facilities for approach to landing and landing'

.........wot says.......

Paragraph 1:
'This regulation shall apply to
every aeroplane registered in the United Kingdom
engaged on a flight for the purpose of public transport of passengers
on a scheduled journey

and to

every aeroplane so registered whose maximum total weight authorised exceeds 5,700 kg engaged on such a flight otherwise than on a scheduled
journey.'

Paragraph 2:
'For the purposes of article 28(1)(c), the following manning and equipment are prescribed in relation to aerodromes intended to be used for landing or as an alternate aerodrome by aircraft to which this regulation applies –

(a) air traffic control service or aerodrome flight information service , including
the reporting to aircraft of the current meteorological conditions at the aerodrome; (b) very high frequency radiotelephony;

......et cetera

It also goes on to say:

'An aircraft to which this regulation applies shall not land or make an approach to landing at any aerodrome unless services and equipment according with paragraph (2) are provided and are in operation at that aerodrome, and can be made use of by that aircraft,' etc etc



So...... if I was a GA aerodrome operator I wouldn't waste my money on FIS. AGCS would be adequate unless the operator is faced with providing facilities for G- reg scheduled public transport or G-reg unscheduled public transport above 5.7 tonnes.

Which probably ain't very often in most cases of small aerodromes.

Cheers

TDM

[WHBM]

I can't think of any scheduled services in the UK which use FIS airfields rather than ATC. Are there any ?

I have often wondered, for example, why say Rochester is FIS while Stapleford is A/G for the same style of operation.

[RPMcMurphy]

Tingwall up here in Shetland is served by a Loganair Islander and only has A/G..... maybe changing soon I believe.

[Talkdownman]

Probably at 'Highlands and Islands aerodromes' in Scotland. I'm out of touch with north of the border where, after ATC was withdrawn, the firemen doubled up as FISOs and the aircraft, like Islanders and Twotters, were under 5.7 tonnes. Perhaps 10W will put down his malt and update us. Last time I did air traffic up there they woz 2 BEA Herons, G-ANXA and 'B........

TDM

[Red Four]

WHBM

I think Lydd still has passenger Le Touquet services with Trislander.

[parkfell]

Scottish Airfields

A number of Highland and Islands Airports operate an aerodrome FIS, and Loganair Otter and Saab use these airfields. Only the Otter operates onto the beach at Barra.

All flown as non precision approaches, with Islay as a "CAA approved operators" only procedure.