Lars
 

Hi everyone,
I would be interested to know more about LARS (Lower Airspace Radar Services).

I would imagine that I can find the name of LARS units in the UK-AIP. Am I right? If yes in which part?

I understand that some LARSs have been closed since last years. How many and which LARS units have been closed for the last, say, 5 years?

Many Thanks for the help

Moorsel

UK AIP page ENR 1-6-3-1 available on the UK AIS website www.ais.org.uk

And remember, don't ask them for a Limited Flight Information Service.

Flight Information Service?!?! When did you last provide that then Jerricho?!?!:}

I'm sure the Rugby World Cup scores last year constituted a FIS :(

.The Lars I know is about 2 meters tall and weighs 120kg. Like most other Lars' from Denmark and Norway.

Thanks for the information. I would also be interested to know the most recent LARSs which were closed or discontinued. For instance I know that Luton was closed, but when?


My objective is to understand whether the LARS concept could be exported somewhere else in Europe. However I would need some factual data.

The closure of LARS units is also an important information for me.


Many thanks for your kind answers

Moorsel

Luton withdrew from LARS in 2000, just before ATC there was contracted out to NATS. It doesn't mean Luton and other non-LARS designated units do not provide a radar service outside CAS, many do.

I was on the LARS Panel for about two years representing the Airports Operators Association. PM me if I can help further.

You may find this is not quite as straightforward as it seems.

The UK LARS concept is a peculiarly British phenomenon without any direct parallel elsewhere.

It was actually originated by UK military airfield ATC units in an attempt to provide them with enhanced knowledge of civil traffic in the vicinity of instrument approach and climb-out areas, but has now been adopted by many civil ATC units mainly for similar reasons.

UK interpretation and application of Radar Advisory Service i.e. in Class G (uncontrolled) airspace doesn't accord with the ICAO definition or ICAO's application of an Advisory ATC service, whilst Radar Information Service as provided in the UK doesn't exist overseas or in any ICAO Annex.

To further complicate things, the impending Single European Sky initiative increasingly affects all participating states including the UK, and the provision of and criteria relating to, LARS is not an ATC service that is contained in any of the ESARR core documentation.

Finally, the liability on both the ATC company/unit and controller providing LARS, particularly Radar Advisory makes this service a decidely risky business which most ATC companies/units decline to offer unless there is an overriding operational need or because they've no choice as the airfield in question has no controlled airspace.

In the event of an AIRPROX or incident, it can all very quickly turn to :{

You could always talk to the CAA's Directorate of Airspace Policy who no doubt, could give you the official line. The head man John Arscott is the UK representative on at least one European panel so he'd be well able to advise you.

:hmm:

Not many many countries that do ATC in class G is it? I mean, it's FIS only, even when based on radar.

We hang our hat on the airspace class, not the service. (Thank good)

The controlled airfield without any class E, D, C, B, or A airspace is allso quite special! :O

M609:Oh dear I feel a thread regurgitating...