TECHNIQUE
Show stoppers W
It’s not just your day that busting summer airspace can ruin…
ith the flying weather finally in full swing after a poor winter and spring, it’s easy to forget that with the long summer
days there are more potential airspace pitfalls than ever at this time in the sky. Every year pilots infringe Temporary
Restricted Airspace (RATs) set up to protect events such as festivals, shows, races and air displays — sometimes to their great cost. Take the case this March when a pilot admitted flying into the display airspace for last August’s Eastbourne International Air Show: he said he had failed to check the NOTAMS properly and was fined £1,500 plus £500 costs and a victim charge of £150 by Brighton magistrates.
SIMPLE CHECKS While most people who fly regularly have a pretty good idea of the ’usual’ airspace to watch out for on their flights, temporary zones can crop up almost anywhere, sometimes in the least expected places such as the Little Snoring village fête which has managed to wangle a flypast by the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight. So, what can — and should — you do to avoid any surprise infringements? First, checking the NOTAMS on the NATS
website is crucial every time before you set off, even for a short flight over well- trodden (perhaps that should be flown..) ground to check for any new warnings that might have just cropped up. In addition, using a tablet or phone with commercially available apps can make checking, and flying, safe and easy, but ensure you get the current NOTAMS on the day of the flight rather than using a stored previous version. Don’t forget that tablet-based equipment can shut down in the event of an overheat so be aware that you could lose all flight data including the chart at
anytime in a hot cockpit, so have a paper chart readily available. Of course, you can simply use the AIS phone line (0808 535 4802) for last-minute checking; it doesn’t take long and calls are free. If RA(T)s are close to your route mark them on the chart as well as your device and on your log. But just checking the NOTAMS isn’t
necessarily all there is to avoiding an airspace bust this summer. There are other underlying causes to be aware of: • Inadequate preflight planning • Lack of airspace knowledge • Lack of navigational competence • Incorrect or inappropriate altimeter setting • Lack of R/T proficiency or understanding
Running through all these causes and driving them are the human factors of Complacency, Distraction, Task saturation, Loss of situational awareness. The depth of preflight planning for each flight will vary depending on how familiar you are with the route, but some things must be done every time. So, draw the route on a chart (paper or electronic) and note where any airspace threats are, both laterally and vertically, and when you will arrive at those points. Note the radio frequencies of the airspace concerned and any frequency monitoring codes you might need (listening squawk codes). Pick clearly identifiable features en
route to check your progress, and if you’re using a hand-held device think carefully about the map scale you are using; if it’s too detailed you could arrive at notified airspace with too little warning. Also decide how you will make sure you
are using the same QNH as the controlled airspace you wish to under fly or transit. Inadvertent use of The Regional Pressure Setting (RPS) will result in you flying higher than if you are using the QNH in use by
the ATC unit controlling the Class D CTA you want to under fly possibly resulting in a vertical infringement. Do be certain that your transponder is displaying your altitude/level particularly if you are not communicating with the ATC unit. Check your transponder is accurate, and squawking the correct code, and if you are using an FMC, ensure that the correct channel has been selected on the VHF radio.
STRATEGIES THAT WORK Human factors can be more difficult to manage. Complacency is best overcome by self-discipline, using a checklist that works for you and following it. Saying things out loud can also be a surprisingly effective barrier to complacency… “airspace, Class D 4 miles to the west base 1500 on QNH 1020.”
It brings the specific details to the
front of your mind more effectively than just thinking ‘airspace over there’. Distraction and task saturation can be managed in a similar way, by talking out loud to rationalise what the situation is and to keep you concentrating on the important stuff. A good log with a sequence of what will happen and when is very effective. Most of the strategies to avoid
infringements can be prepared on the ground, keeping task saturation and distraction at bay and it’s a good way to maintain situational awareness. If you do find you’re not sure of where
you are then avoid making a bad situation worse and contact Distress & Diversion on 121.5 and they’ll sort you out. Remember, it’s not only the potential
cost to you of an infringement — GA also gets a bad name among the public if a summer air display or show (particularly the Red Arrows) is cancelled because someone has blindly wandered into their temporarily restricted airspace.
Summer 2018 CLUED UP 29
WORDS MICHAEL BENSON, REGIONAL SAFETY OFFICER WEST, GASCO; PHOTOGRAPH: CROWN COPYRIGHT
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