Manchester control zone consultation

Nigel Hitchman · Post by **Nigel Hitchman** » Tue Dec 16, 2008 6:34 pm

This one is good news for once!

http://www.nats.co.uk/text/249/manchest ... e_acp.html

The only changes are the low level corridor changes from Class D airspace to Class G airspace (I have to admit I always thought it was class G!!) a fillet of airspace between the Low level corridor and barton is changed from D to G and a couple of other reductions in the Manchester class D control zone.

NO Increases in Controlled airspace at all!!!

The consultation even says that the old airspace was designed for aircraft whos performance needed larger airspace, but this is not the case any more, so the airspace can be reduced and they say they are making other airspace changes to make the airspace simpler and easier to use for the pilots in class G, thus this should result in less infringements and also less need for R/T clearances for crossing, now that some airspace is class G.

It seems that NATS have been listening to what we have been saying on other consultations at last. Or is it just the people in Manchester are more enlightened and less greedy for airspace!

Yes of course it could be even better, with even more class G and smaller control zones, but it seems that with the constraints ATC have to work with this is as good as we can get.

I first saw this on the Vintage Piper email list, where it was posted by a vintage Piper pilot who is also a Manchester controller. He urged as many people as possible to respond with "No objection to the Proposal" or support for the proposal. Then NATS/Manchester ATC know that this is important to us. Not responding makes them think we arent really bothered and of course there is the other possibility that although this proposal doesnt change anything for commercial air traffic or noise preferential routes, there could be some Nimbys objecting because they think they might get more noise (I dont know how, but they always seem to be able to make up something!)