Licences at risk


PILOTS WHO INFRINGE AIRSPACE could now have their licences provisionally suspended while the incident is investigated. The move comes because the number


of infringements is still high despite the best efforts of GA bodies. In 2015 there were more than 1,000 incidents and, while the CAA has always acknowledged that the majority are unintentional, some have a significant impact on operations inside controlled airspace. Going forward, a pilot identified as


having infringed controlled airspace, a Danger Area or Restricted Area, could have their licence or licences provisionally suspended, while the details of the incident are investigated and follow-up action is considered. “The number of infringement incidents in the UK has not seen any serious decline in recent years, despite the strenuous efforts of the CAA, GA representatives and many others,” said Rob Gratton, the CAA’s Chairman of the joint Airspace Infringement Working Group. “Therefore, we really do feel that this


measure has become necessary. We hope this decision will bring home to those who do infringe the gravity of


the situation. Any infringement has the potential to be a very serious safety incident. We need to see the numbers decline urgently.” Infringement reports received by


the CAA are assessed weekly by a team of experts made up of in-house pilots, investigators and air traffic controllers. If an incident is deemed to reach a


certain level of seriousness the pilot’s licence will be provisionally suspended (the criteria used to determine the level of seriousness of a particular infringement has been published at caa.co.uk/cap1404). Depending on the outcome of the


follow-up action, a decision will be made about lifting the provisional suspension.


Cash help for 8.33 kHz radios


CONCERNED ABOUT THE COST of an 8.33 kHz radio? Help is at hand. EU funds are on the way to help GA pilots and private aircraft owners buy the new radios which have to be fitted to all aircraft registered in the EU by December 2017. The CAA applied to the EU for a €4.3m


grant, the maximum permitted amount, which equates to 20 percent of the estimated total cost of 8.33 kHz equipage. As the contract has now been signed it will be


working closely with GA associations and representatives to distribute the money. More details on how that will work will be released soon, but it is expected to be retrospective to February 2016 for those who have already fitted new equipment.


Engineering careers made easier


A NEW COURSE HAS been launched for both school-leavers and mature students who want to become aircraft engineers. It will be managed by the City & Guilds


and count towards the theoretical training elements leading to a full ‘Category A’ maintenance engineering licence that allows holders to carry out scheduled line maintenance and simple defect


rectification on aircraft. Previously, theoretical training had to be carried out with one of 12 approved specialist schools. The new course, which will have CAA


accreditation, a will allow school-leavers to study at a local further education college. Mature students will also be able to study part-time or through an evening course.


NEWS IN BRIEF


NO MORE NUCLEAR Here’s a bit of good news: the prohibited and restricted areas around the following five nuclear sites have been withdrawn: P047 Winfrith (504052.00N 0021535.00W) P106 Harwell (513430.00N 0011905.00W) R156 Bradwell (514432.00N 0005352.00E) R218 Trawsfynydd (525529.00N 0035655.00W) R501 Chapelcross (550059.00N 0031334.00W)


NEW HALF-MIL CHARTS IN MARCH 2017 Half mil charts for Southern England & Wales and Northern England & Northern Island will be released on 2 March and 30 March, 2017 respectively. It will be Edition 43 for the Southern chart and Edition 40 for the Northern chart.


HAWARDEN SEEKS LISTENING SQUAWK AND RMZ Hawarden Airport has applied for a Radio Mandatory Zone and a Listening Squawk. Airport staff say the surrounding Controlled Airspace, terrain and gliding sites create a ‘funnel effect’ where aircraft are forced to fly across Hawarden’s approach and climb-out directions which conflict with arriving and departing aircraft. Hawarden ATC wants pilots to use a squawk 4607 showing they are listening out on Hawarden Radar on 123.350Mhz.


122.275 MHZ CHANGE A trial of 135.475 MHz for military and civilian pilots to use while flying in airspace north of 56°N has been so successful that a trial south of 56°N using 122.275 MHz has been suggested. If successful the whole country could use 122.275 Mhz going forward.


VORS UPDATED NATS is close to completing its VOR replacement work. So far the Otringham (OTR), Berry Head (BHD), Lands End (LND), Talla (TLA), Seaford (SFD) and Compton (CPT), Strumble (STU) and St Abbs (SAB) VORs have been replaced. Work started on Aberdeen (ADN) in August 2016.


Autumn/Winter 2016 CLUED UP 7


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