Airspace Change Proposal
Moderators: John Dean, Moderator
Airspace Change Proposal
I see QinetiQ have an ACP in the pipe line for danger areas EGD 120 and EGD 122
Colin Rule
031831
031831
Re: Airspace Change Proposal
I attended an ACP meeting at Boscombe Down on 28/04/15
The meeting was to informally consult on proposed changes to Danger Areas EGD120/122/127/128
Danger areas EGD120 and 122 are currently used by The Watchkeeper ISTARS UAV for crew and tactical training purposes.
The Sponsors identified a problem with the current airspace used by the Watchkeeper System.
CAA regulation requires the UAV to at all times fly within segregated airspace. This includes the designated failure modes of power plant and data link. Under the present airspace configuration at certain stages and positions of flight the engine failure case requires the UAV to impact within the Salisbury Plain danger area complex.
The changes suggested in this ACP will permit the UAV to return to Boscombe Down Airfield for a controlled power off landing at what ever stage and position of flight the engine failure occurs.
The Proposal
Danger Area EGD 120 to be extended vertically by NOTAM to FL80 to meet EGD 122.
Danger Area EGD 127 to be designated for UAVs
Danger Area EGD 128 to be designated for UAVs and upper limit raised by NOTAM to FL45.
New Danger Area (EGD 120B) , west of EGD 120, base 2000ft amsl upper limit FL80 to be created and designated for UAVs.
Other information
Currently the UAV cannot fly when in icing conditions or in upper winds of greater that 45kts ,therefore most of the flying will tend to be in the summer months.
There is expected to be a deployment to Upavon at times to train for unpaved surface operations.
Winter deployment to Cyprus is expected in the future.
Boscombe Down ATC "agreed" to facilitate GA/Glider Transit through enhanced EGD 120 when NOTAMd Active but not actually in use subject to work load.
Time Scale
Formal Consultation July to October 2015
Submission to CAA November 2015
CAA Determination End January 2016
Implementation March- April 2016.
The meeting was to informally consult on proposed changes to Danger Areas EGD120/122/127/128
Danger areas EGD120 and 122 are currently used by The Watchkeeper ISTARS UAV for crew and tactical training purposes.
The Sponsors identified a problem with the current airspace used by the Watchkeeper System.
CAA regulation requires the UAV to at all times fly within segregated airspace. This includes the designated failure modes of power plant and data link. Under the present airspace configuration at certain stages and positions of flight the engine failure case requires the UAV to impact within the Salisbury Plain danger area complex.
The changes suggested in this ACP will permit the UAV to return to Boscombe Down Airfield for a controlled power off landing at what ever stage and position of flight the engine failure occurs.
The Proposal
Danger Area EGD 120 to be extended vertically by NOTAM to FL80 to meet EGD 122.
Danger Area EGD 127 to be designated for UAVs
Danger Area EGD 128 to be designated for UAVs and upper limit raised by NOTAM to FL45.
New Danger Area (EGD 120B) , west of EGD 120, base 2000ft amsl upper limit FL80 to be created and designated for UAVs.
Other information
Currently the UAV cannot fly when in icing conditions or in upper winds of greater that 45kts ,therefore most of the flying will tend to be in the summer months.
There is expected to be a deployment to Upavon at times to train for unpaved surface operations.
Winter deployment to Cyprus is expected in the future.
Boscombe Down ATC "agreed" to facilitate GA/Glider Transit through enhanced EGD 120 when NOTAMd Active but not actually in use subject to work load.
Time Scale
Formal Consultation July to October 2015
Submission to CAA November 2015
CAA Determination End January 2016
Implementation March- April 2016.
Colin Rule
031831
031831
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John Brady
- Posts: 284
- Joined: Tue Jan 08, 2008 8:39 pm
Re: Boscombe Down Airspace Change Proposal
Colin,
does it appear to you that the proposal is reasonable and can you see any areas where the change would be an issue for somebody? EGD 120B to the west looks like it might be.
I note that transits would be approved "subject to work load" but that is a standard cop out phrase that means nothing. But it seems to me that this airspace is getting so complicated with so many variable areas that a transit service should be provided as a matter of course and resources should be provided to service it. I think the CAA would support such a position. Do you think that would be a reasonable position to take as a quid pro quo for supporting the change?
John
does it appear to you that the proposal is reasonable and can you see any areas where the change would be an issue for somebody? EGD 120B to the west looks like it might be.
I note that transits would be approved "subject to work load" but that is a standard cop out phrase that means nothing. But it seems to me that this airspace is getting so complicated with so many variable areas that a transit service should be provided as a matter of course and resources should be provided to service it. I think the CAA would support such a position. Do you think that would be a reasonable position to take as a quid pro quo for supporting the change?
John
031926
Re: Airspace Change Proposal
John
The Watchkeeper UAV is capable of 12 to 14 hour operational missions but it is expected that training sorties will be of 5 to 6 hour duration. During launch and recovery the intention is for DA 120 to be sterile to ensure the segregation of manned and UAV traffic. The DA 120 a b will be NOTAMd active for at least the whole period from prior to launch to after recovery. If a commitment from BD ATC to permit DA transit outside of the launch and recovery ops could be achieved it would mitigate the impact of the increase in size of EGD120 and the establishment of EGD120B but not for non radio a/c.
The consequence of not achieving this is to increase the funnelling of N/S tracks to the east of Middle Wallop with the potential of that gap being narrowed with the new Farnborough airspace. It will also mean that the only realistic NE/SW transit is trapped between Solent Class D and EGD127 which may well get MLA status.
Cheers
Colin
The Watchkeeper UAV is capable of 12 to 14 hour operational missions but it is expected that training sorties will be of 5 to 6 hour duration. During launch and recovery the intention is for DA 120 to be sterile to ensure the segregation of manned and UAV traffic. The DA 120 a b will be NOTAMd active for at least the whole period from prior to launch to after recovery. If a commitment from BD ATC to permit DA transit outside of the launch and recovery ops could be achieved it would mitigate the impact of the increase in size of EGD120 and the establishment of EGD120B but not for non radio a/c.
The consequence of not achieving this is to increase the funnelling of N/S tracks to the east of Middle Wallop with the potential of that gap being narrowed with the new Farnborough airspace. It will also mean that the only realistic NE/SW transit is trapped between Solent Class D and EGD127 which may well get MLA status.
Cheers
Colin
Colin Rule
031831
031831