Ben Armine Rocket Range
 

From the NOTAMS, this week, from 1 to 5 May 2012, a 200 square NM circle, 8NM radius, to 80,000 ft is allocated for rocket firing. I can find no reference to this range on the IAIP map.The area is west of Helmsdale, on the NW of the Moray Firth.

I think its none military and its rocket enthusists who build there own and who are actually pretty good at what they do.

If you google top gear rocket launch you can see what they do.

Rocketry In Scotland

I've not been involved in amateur rocketry for some years (to be frank, I couldn't get a ride in one, so decided that I preferred aeroplanes), but still have a lot of friends who are. They've been enthusing about this event for months.

As Jock says, these are serious players building some seriously big rockets. What he didn't say is that the nature of the vehicles is that they go up very quickly, then spend quite a long time coming down under various parachute systems. So the real risk to a light aircraft there is not so much being shot down, as being landed upon.

G

There is no range or Danger area there, just a Notam with regard the planned operation. From what I understand it is boys playing with their toys, they build these things in their garden sheds then are allowed to fire them off....Crazy if you ask me. It happens quite often on Fairlie Moor close to Largs.

There are procedures in force with Scottish ATC to protect any commercial aircraft flying within the designated area's though but what happens if your tootling around VFR in class G airspace and stumble upon the site as they are about to fire!!!

Given the amount of time and money we all spend boring holes in the skies (and occasionally building stuff in our garden sheds) for the pure pleasure of it, I really don't think that we have the right to criticise people who just have a different way of doing the same.


They're called NOTAMs. We are all supposed to check them before every flight, whether we're flying a single seat microlight or a B767. I'm not aware of any distinction between classes of traffic - we're all required to check them.

It's nice and helpful of ATC to inform traffic - of any description - of a safety critical issue that affect them. But the NOTAM, and the Captain's duties, have primacy.

G

For a very small percentage of pilots, there's the flaw. They are being expected to be professional and to carry out their responsibilities. :E

The NOTAM says that activity will be subject to clearance from Prestwick, so if there's traffic in the area, e.g. the Schneck-Kirkwall-Sumburgh Loganair passing overhead, PC will be unlikely to approve until it is OK to do so. If you find yourself near the area when there happens to be launches then I'm sure Scottish will warn you :)

Scottish are only giving 'clearance' in respect of airspace above FL195, which is Class C and requires a clearance. Below that, we can't legally tell people to steer clear, nor stop any launch activity.

However, duty of care means we do tell pilots about the activity and our instructions state we should not let aircraft under our control enter the area. Unless in receipt of a Control Service, i.e. within Controlled Airspace, or receiving a service on the published Advisory Route (where pilots are expected to comply with instructions) that's something we can't legally enforce if the pilot decides he wants to do otherwise.

Applying Airmanship should allow the pilot to calculate the risks and make an appropriate decision as to avoidance (or not).

Cheers 10W. Personally common sense would dictate to go round the area and leave the rocketeers to their fun :ok:

The more interesting case might be military low flyers. The Ben Armine range is located in LFA14(T), where they fly at 100ft, and the Highlands Restricted Area, where they fly low level in IMC. LFA14(T)'s active every day this week. Quite a chunk out of their normal area if they've banned all ops in there while there may be rockets about.
NS