Hi,

If you are not already aware, the airspace around Bristol and Cardiff International Airports undergoes major changes on 31st August.

In a nutshell, the Class D airspace surrounding both airports will be expanded to enhance safety and better manage the increasing number of commercial flights.

Map showing the new airspace -

http://www.caa.co.uk/docs/14/PN3306.pdf


Over and above the required promulgation, the CAA and NATS are taking a number of extra steps in order that as many airspace users are aware of the changes prior to them coming in to effect.

The use of PPRuNe is one of those measures and I'd like to thank the Moderators for allowing us, NATS, to use the forum in this manner.

Full details of the change will shortly be available from on the AIS website. You do need to register (it's free). Look under >Publications >UK AIP >AIP Amendments -

http://www.ais.org.uk/aes/login.jsp

Your looking for AIRAC9/2006 Effective 31 August 2006.

There is also a Yellow AIC 96(Y217)/06 on the subject.

The CAA plan to issue a special version of the 1:500k Southern England and Wales (Ed32A) in August. If you plan to use the the 1:250k charts - CAUTION - these will not be updated until the 'next' due date.

CAA News story here -

http://www.caa.co.uk/application.asp...etail&nid=1296


NATS will be making a presentation at the Cardiff Academy of Aviation at Cardiff International Airport on Wednesday 9th August at 1930L to explain the changes and answer any questions.

Similarly, at Bristol International Airport in the Administration Building (old terminal) on Monday August 21st at 1930L.

All are welcome.

Finally, if you have any questions please feel free to post them here. I or other 'Severn Clutch' ATCOs will do their best to answer them.



Steve Hall
NATS Cardiff

a.k.a. EGFFZTZX

Although AIRAC0609 under AIP Amendments shouldnt be available until 03AUG..

BRL,
Can I request you make this a sticky, the changes are vast and affect many, some may also not be aware of the issuing of a new Southern Airspace chart to coincide with the airspace changes

Are these presentations public? Or invite only? Im staff at Bristol but not ATC staff....

It does say all welcome at the bottom of Steves post

Sorry if it doesnt jump out and smack me in the face, I just dont see it! ;-).

Here it is
Similarly, at Bristol International Airport in the Administration Building (old terminal) on Monday August 21st at 1930L.

All are welcome.

so now im going to have to fly further to do flight traning....

This proposal (as it started) and supporting charts has been available for several months. Apart from compliance with Rule 5 over certain Congested Areas, does it really make a lot of difference? We are allowed to talk to Bristol Radar and Class D is not a prohibited area. I can't imagine traffic ever being so intense that penetration won't be allowed in genuine VMC. It is an inconvenience for microlighters, though (assuming they can find a field in that "area" where planning rules dont ban them).

From what Ive heard; microlights only get in the way most of the time.

As for whether it makes difference? Well, yes! Ok it doesn't keep VFR out unlike LTMA for example; BUT it does keep instrument traffic inside controlled airspace which I believe is the main point behind the change. Yes, VFR will probably be allowed to enter CAS in VMC, subject to instrument traffic as always. There are new VRPs coming in for various points of entry, so there will be new places to orbit at .

Remember, this airspace change isn't designed necessarily for the current traffic levels, but its there in preparation to handle the inevitable traffic increase over the next 20 years or so.

Sehr interesting: and from vhere did you hear zis?

G-MZBZ (sunday name)

I agree, I thought it was GA that got in the way ;-)

G-BYFF

Cheers for posting about brief on 21st at Bristol, I can understand why you need airspace, lol, just very close to me! Air trafficker Lye, GA pilot

NM

Excuse the late reply....where did I hear it? From a flying instructor friend of mine .

About time this came about,

WWW

Still lots of Class G for those looking to enjoy a bimble and not talk to ATC, but being Class D it isn't and shouldn't be a barrier for anyone looking to transit at a higher level.

I think this final week will be interesting for those of us trying to dot the Is and cross the Ts though

Well, our two briefings have passed off peacefully, thankfully no blood was spilt.
Monday's, for ppls etc, had a turnout of close on 100 and last night we had 40 or so glidery people from Halesland, Keevil, Nympsfield, Aston Down and The Park. I was a bit worried last night might be tough, and some of them looked a bit disgruntled at the start, but it went well (must have been the vino collapso).
Here's hoping the word spreads and we have very few problems come next month.

I suppose the new half mill map will help, although they did groan at the thought of having to lash out 15 sovs on it. Still, we surprised them.......didn't we just!

You did indeed.

Being psychic, I think I agreed with you at Serial 9.

Pity the CAA aren't dishing out free charts considering the last is only a few months old. Surely these changes have been in the pipline for a long time.
Its about time airspace/frequency changes only occured at a fixed time to coincide with publication of new charts.