App aims to cut airspace infringements
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App aims to cut airspace infringements
NATS has launched an app to support general aviation pilots in the battle against airspace infringements.
NATS Flight Prepare, available for free on both iPad and iPhone, takes pilots through a range of questions, highlighting the factors that could lead to them straying into controlled airspace. Pilots are then given a score based on their answers and can share the results on social media.
Questions cover a range of topics, from the weather conditions and need to brief passengers, to the importance of contacting the Distress and Diversion in the event of becoming lost.
The app has been developed following research conducted by NATS into the causes of airspace infringements. The results of 400 pilot questionnaires identified human factors, such as workload and fatigue, as major contributors.
With the assistance of industry experts, including GA pilots and instructors, these were then translated into a series of questions and prompts designed to reduce the impact and likelihood of a pilot infringing.
NATS’ Terminal Control Safety Manager Jonathan Smith said: “An infringement occurs every 11 hours in the UK and they’re bad news for everyone involved.
“This app will remind pilots of the simple things that can easily be forgotten before taking to the air, while increasing awareness of their own potential to infringe and the factors to be aware of.”
The NATS Flight Prepare App is the latest in a series of initiatives from the air traffic control company aimed at reducing controlled airspace infringement rates. In January it launched the Infringement Prevention Award to recognise the clubs and schools that are doing fantastic work to reduce the number of infringements by their members.
Download the app from the Apple app store: https://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/nats...4942?ls=1&mt=8
NATS Flight Prepare, available for free on both iPad and iPhone, takes pilots through a range of questions, highlighting the factors that could lead to them straying into controlled airspace. Pilots are then given a score based on their answers and can share the results on social media.
Questions cover a range of topics, from the weather conditions and need to brief passengers, to the importance of contacting the Distress and Diversion in the event of becoming lost.
The app has been developed following research conducted by NATS into the causes of airspace infringements. The results of 400 pilot questionnaires identified human factors, such as workload and fatigue, as major contributors.
With the assistance of industry experts, including GA pilots and instructors, these were then translated into a series of questions and prompts designed to reduce the impact and likelihood of a pilot infringing.
NATS’ Terminal Control Safety Manager Jonathan Smith said: “An infringement occurs every 11 hours in the UK and they’re bad news for everyone involved.
“This app will remind pilots of the simple things that can easily be forgotten before taking to the air, while increasing awareness of their own potential to infringe and the factors to be aware of.”
The NATS Flight Prepare App is the latest in a series of initiatives from the air traffic control company aimed at reducing controlled airspace infringement rates. In January it launched the Infringement Prevention Award to recognise the clubs and schools that are doing fantastic work to reduce the number of infringements by their members.
Download the app from the Apple app store: https://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/nats...4942?ls=1&mt=8
Nice one.
Although, I cannot but help to think that your tinkering round the edges.
If you were truly serious about reducing infringements you would start with a blank piece of paper and re-design the UK air space. Its horrifically complicated and no longer fit for purpose, and that goes for airlines as well as GA.
The current set up is costing time, money, fuel, and lives.
Although, I cannot but help to think that your tinkering round the edges.
If you were truly serious about reducing infringements you would start with a blank piece of paper and re-design the UK air space. Its horrifically complicated and no longer fit for purpose, and that goes for airlines as well as GA.
The current set up is costing time, money, fuel, and lives.
Yes, well said Jonty.
I've got a cheap tablet (via Amazon £52 incl P & P; came from China in less than 7 days)
It says 'Android' when I turn it on.
Haven't got a clue what it means.
What's an iPad?
It says 'Android' when I turn it on.
Haven't got a clue what it means.
What's an iPad?
Last edited by chevvron; 23rd May 2013 at 08:53.
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Sadly NATS cannot unilaterally change airspace overnight. So they thought this may help.
A disaster waiting to happen - vertically and laterally.
Ye, setting up Farnborough has helped. So has AWARE and Skydemon and all your lectures to pilots across the UK. Nonetheless several hundred infringements continues to happen every year
Just look at NY, SOCAL TRACON, and other highly complex areas like FRANKFURT and BRUSSELS and see how and why they never have such problems.
One key reason is because the airspace is actually designed with ALL users in mind and the traffic advisories and clearances are continous and seamless!
Last edited by soaringhigh650; 14th Jun 2013 at 10:03.
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And just to highlight my point. Going through your list of infringement occurences:
This is suspiciously due to ATC co-ordination failure because the aircraft should have been handed off and suitable clearance arranged long before entering someone else's sector!
AVIONS ROBIN DR400/UNKNOWN/Cruise/ORTAC/18-05-2013/201305603
Infringement of the Channel Islands CTR (Class A) by an a/c squawking 1177 at 3000ft.
A/c identified via London Info as a Robin DR400. Standard separation maintained.
The Robin DR400 called 5nm inside the Channel Island Control Zone, was indentified and vectored West to remain clear of Alderney airspace.
Infringement of the Channel Islands CTR (Class A) by an a/c squawking 1177 at 3000ft.
A/c identified via London Info as a Robin DR400. Standard separation maintained.
The Robin DR400 called 5nm inside the Channel Island Control Zone, was indentified and vectored West to remain clear of Alderney airspace.
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Hi, I suspect that this 'App' was created by someone who lives either South or East of Birmingham. These 'Flat Earth' people, whose highest natural terrain is 800ft in High Wycombe, have no idea what is needed to fly in the hilly areas of Wales, Scotland or anywhere north of Manchester.
In our area of GB any plan involving flying along a pencil line on a chart soon fails upon initial contact with the first Cloud/Mountain combination.
The options are several; Try to squeeze between mountain and cloud; Try to climb over the top (and not into airspace.); Or go around, maybe a detour of 10-30 miles. If none of that works then its a 180 and an early tea.
It is a shame that NATS exclude GA from class A airspace, it compromises our safety by reducing our options. Is there any need to have Class A below 8,000ft? Surely it would be better to have it as Class D, and so we would have some form of radar ATS service as well.
In our area of GB any plan involving flying along a pencil line on a chart soon fails upon initial contact with the first Cloud/Mountain combination.
The options are several; Try to squeeze between mountain and cloud; Try to climb over the top (and not into airspace.); Or go around, maybe a detour of 10-30 miles. If none of that works then its a 180 and an early tea.
It is a shame that NATS exclude GA from class A airspace, it compromises our safety by reducing our options. Is there any need to have Class A below 8,000ft? Surely it would be better to have it as Class D, and so we would have some form of radar ATS service as well.
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This is suspiciously due to ATC co-ordination failure because the aircraft should have been handed off and suitable clearance arranged long before entering someone else's sector!
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I can see what the App is trying to do, but I'm not sure it achieves it, or whether what it's trying to do is worthwhile in the first place.
I think it's the kind of thing that people will look at once, and will be a useful exercise maybe for instructors to use on their students, but I'm not sure it'll ever get used by the same person on an ongoing basis.
I think it's the kind of thing that people will look at once, and will be a useful exercise maybe for instructors to use on their students, but I'm not sure it'll ever get used by the same person on an ongoing basis.
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But the aircraft should not have entered CAS without a clearance! I'd either asked for frequency change, or just changed...
It's as if the system is set up to catch you out rather than being an enabler.
Last edited by soaringhigh650; 14th Jun 2013 at 17:27.
