170 likes | 301 Views
Bristol airspace changes. and how they affect us…. Background. Air traffic in and out of Bristol and Cardiff is growing Bristol and Cardiff airspaces are merging and expanding. How does this affect us?. The “Bath Gap” Ubley. The Bath Gap - now. The Bath Gap – effective 31st August 2006.
E N D
Bristol airspace changes and how they affect us…
Background • Air traffic in and out of Bristol and Cardiff is growing • Bristol and Cardiff airspaces are merging and expanding
How does this affect us? • The “Bath Gap” • Ubley
The Bath Gap – effective 31st August 2006 Bath Gap 3500’-4500’
This definition shall be used by glider pilots navigating without the benefit of an electronic moving map Bath Gap 3500’-4500’ The foot of the Cotswold Escarpment northwards to Dyrham Park The clearly defined minor road from Bath Racecourse running north to the village of Wick at the foot of the Cotswold escarpment The western edge of the built up area of Bath to Bath Racecourse The A367 main road from Radstock to the southwestern edge of Bath
Airspace over Bath – Gap Closed Gap Closed FROCESTER: 4000 4500 3500 WESTBURY MERE:
Airspace over Bath – Gap Open Gap Open FROCESTER: 4000 4500 4500 WESTBURY MERE:
Representation of CTAs to East of Bristol CTR Gap Closed Ceiling at FL105 Bristol CTR CTA 1 CTA 3 CTA 6 CTA 8 4500 – FL105 *1 - Crossing Colerne Colerne ATZ 2000ft AGL Spot Height 719 3500ft 2000ft Spot Height 679 1500ft 620ft Bristol CTR Surface to FL105 Bath Keynsham Bath Racecourse Edge of Bath *1 - Crossing Colerne only has a GAP of less than 2000ft. (Top of Colerne ATZ approx 2620ft amsl)
Representation of CTAs to East of Bristol CTR Gap Open Ceiling at FL105 Bristol CTR CTA 1 CTA 3 CTA 6 CTA 8 4500 – FL105 “The Gap” *1 - Crossing Colerne Colerne ATZ 2000ft AGL 4500ft Spot Height 719 2000ft Spot Height 679 1500ft 620ft Bristol CTR Surface to FL105 Bath Keynsham Bath Racecourse Edge of Bath
Activation • Can only be activated between 1000 local and 1900 local or official night (whichever is earlier) • Can be activated by the local gliding clubs and by five nominated members of the Avon HG & PG Club • Can only phone Bristol ATC no earlier than 2 hours prior to the ETA of the first glider at the boundary of the Bath Gap
In practice Having arrived at Leckhampton (or Mere) • Phone Bristol ATIS (01275 473666) to check whether the Bath Gap has been activated • If yes (and this will most often be the case), no further action needed • If no, contact one of the five nominees (Tim Pentreath, Ken Wilkinson, Stafford Evans, Nev Almond & Richard Hellen) who will phone up and activate the Bath Gap • Wait a few minutes and then confirm by going back to step 1
Glider Flight Rules • Gliders operating within the Bath Gap are to operate in accordance with VFR at all times (ie. 500’ below cloud!) • NB. IFR traffic (ie. airliners) will remain at least 500ft above the glider block (ie. 5000’)
Ubley – after 31st August 2006 • The Ubley Glider Block is a chunk of airspace from 1500’ to 2500’ that can be activated to fly in • If flying xc you will also want to activate the Halesland Glider Block which is south of the UGB • This raises the base in this part of the CTA from 3000’ to 4000’ • Activation will work in the same way as at present - ie. calling Bristol ATC on 01275 473714/15, not one of the five Bath Gap nominees
Ubley and Halesland FROCESTER: 4000 4500 3500 UBLEY BlOCK: SFC to 2500 when activated HALESLAND BLOCKS WESTBURY MERE: