Airspace

Question 1

What are the FIR’s and UIR’s and what are their dimensions?

Answer 1

Flight Information Regions

Scottish and London FIR’s, surface to FL245

Upper Information Regions

Scottish and London UIR’s, FL245 to FL660

Question 2

Whom do we separate in Class A airspace and who is allowed in it?

Answer 2

IFR only

All flights separated

Question 3

Whom do we allow in Class C airspace and what are the separations?

Answer 3

IFR and VFR

IFR separated from IFR and VFR

VFR separated from IFR, TI given on other VFR

Question 4

Whom do we allow in Class D airspace and what are the separations?

Answer 4

IFR/SVFR and VFR

IFR separated from IFR, TI on VFR

VFR given TI on IFR and other VFR

SVFR treated as IFR for all intents and purposes

Question 5

Whom do we allow in Class E airspace and what are the separations?

Answer 5

IFR and VFR

IFR separated from other IFR, given TI on participating and non participating VFR traffic

Participating VFR traffic given TI on IFR and other participating and non partcipating VFR flights, BS

Question 6

What is a MATZ?

Answer 6

Military Aerodrome Traffic Zone

Airspace around an ATZ that also has stubs either side to protect arriving/departing a/c.

Military ATZ’s which sit inside the MATZ are active 24hrs

Permission not required to enter an MATZ but is required to enter the ATZ which sits inside

Question 7

What is Shanwick?

Answer 7

The Shanwick Oceanic Control Area and the Shanwick FIR

Controlled from Prestwick Oceanic Area Control Centre (OACC) Responsible for both UK and Ireland (Shannon) Callsign ‘SHANWICK’ vertical division is at FL55

Question 8

What are the NAT?

Answer 8

North Atlantic Tracks

Organised tracks are formulated and published as a Track Structure Message. Daytime structure, 1130-1900 UTC at 030°W published by Shanwick, Nighttime structure, 0100-0800 UTC at 030°W by Gander (Canada). Pilots are encouraged to flight plan on published NAT tracks, when appropriate, although it is not mandatory to do so.

Question 9

What are the ASR’s and how many of them are there in the UK?

Answer 9

Altimeter Setting Regions

20

Units within an ASR must have the Regional Pressure Setting (RPS) available for that ASR

Question 10

Define QFE

Answer 10

Atmospehric pressure at offical aerodrome level. When QFE is set on the subscale of a pressure altimeter, the altimeter will read zero when the a/c is on the ground at the station.

Question 11

Define QNH

Answer 11

Atmospheric pressure at mean sea level. When set on the subscale of a pressure altimeter it will read aerodrome elevation when the aircraft is on the ground at the station.

Question 12

Define QNE

Answer 12

Height indicated on a pressure altimeter when the aircraft is on the ground at an airfield with a setting of 1013.2hPa set on the subscale.

Question 13

Define Height

Answer 13

The vertical distance of a level, point or object considered as a point measured from a specified datum.

Question 14

Define Altitude

Answer 14

The vertical distance of a level, point or object considered as a point measured from mean sea level.

Question 15

Define Elevation

Answer 15

The vertical distance of a point or level, on or affixed to the surface of the earth, measured from mean sea level.

• NOTE - Aerodrome elevation is the elevation of the highest point on the landing area.*
• A separate threshold elevation is published if it is 7ft or more BELOW aerodrome elevation and for precision approach runways.*

Question 16

Define a flight level

Answer 16

A surface of constant atmospheric pressure related to the specified pressure datum of 1013.25hPa and separated from other such surfaces by specific pressure intervals.

Question 17

Define the Transition Altitude

Answer 17

The altitude at or below which the vertical position of an aircraft is controlled by reference to altitudes. The transition altitude is located at a fixed level and published in aeronautical information publications.

In the UK within CAS the TA is normally 5,000ft or 6,000ft

Question 18

Define the Transition level

Answer 18

The lowest Flight Level available for use above the Transition Altitude.

Located at least a nominal 1000 ft above the Transition Altitude to permit the TA and TL to be used concurrently in cruising flight, with vertical separation ensured.

Determined by;

• In CAS, based on the QNH of the major aerodrome
• Outside CAS, based on the QNH of the local aerodrome

Question 19

Define the Transition Layer

Answer 19

The airspace between the transition altitude and the transition level. (from 2017 at least 1000 feet courtesy of SI 2016/01)

Question 20

When is an a/c’s level defined using FL?

Answer 20

When at and above the Transition Level,or when cleared to climb to a level above the TL.

Question 21

When is an a/c’s level defined using Altitude?

Answer 21

When flying at and below the Transition altitude, or cleared to descend to a level below the TA.

Question 22

Define an ATZ and its dimensions

Answer 22

Aerodrome traffic zone An airspace of defined dimensions established around an aerodrome for the protection of aerodrome traffic (that being traffic manoeuvring in the aerodrome or flying in the vicinity). From the surface to 2000ft AAL with a radius of 2nm from the centrepoint of the main runway if that runway is less than 1850m otherwise 2.5nm. Conforms to airspace classification which it sits in.

Question 23

Define a CTR

Answer 23

Control Zone, Controlled airspace which has been further notified as a control zone and which extends from the surface. No standard dimensions.

Question 24

Define CTA

Answer 24

Controlled airspace which has been further notified as a control area and which extends upwards from a notified altitude or flight level.

Question 25

Define an Airway

Answer 25

A control area or portion thereof established in the form of a corridor.

Question 26

Define an ATS route

Answer 26

An ATS route is a designated route for channeling the flow of traffic as necessary for the provision of air traffic services.

Question 27

What is an MATZ and what must a civil a/c do before entering?

Answer 27

Military aerodrome traffic zone, an area established around a military ATZ designed to offer some protection to military traffic entering or leaving the ATZ. A civil aircraft does not need to do anything to enter the MATZ, does need permission to enter the ATZ though.

Question 28

What is a prohibited area?

Answer 28

Airspace of defined dimensions within which the flight of aircraft is prohibited.

Question 29

What is a restricted area?

Answer 29

Airspace of defined dimensions within which the flight of aircraft is restricted in accordance with certain specified conditions.

Question 30

What is a danger area?

Answer 30

Airspace which has been notified as such within which activities dangerous to the flight of aircraft may take place or exist at such times as may be notified.

Question 31

Where would you find extra details on prohibited, danger and restricted areas?

Answer 31

The AIP

Question 32

What is an area of intense aerial activity?

Answer 32

An airspace within which aircraft, singly or in combination with others, regularly participate in unusual manoeuvres.

Question 33

What is a HIRTA?

Answer 33

High intensity Radio transmission area. Airspace of defined dimensions within which there is radio energy of an intensity which may cause interference with, and on rare occasions damage to, communications and navigation equipment.

Question 34

What is a TMZ

Answer 34

A Transponder Mandatory Zone is airspace of defined dimensions wherein the carriage and operation of pressure altitude reporting transponders is necessary.

Question 35

What is an RMZ?

Answer 35

A Radio Mandatory Zone is airspace of defined dimensions wherein the carriage and operation of suitable/appropriate radio equipment is Mandatory.

Question 36

What is a UAA

Answer 36

A Unusual Aerial Activity is any event such as air exercise, display, formation, balloon etc.

Question 37

What is the AIS

Answer 37

The UK aeronautical Information Service is responsible for the collection and dissemination of information/data necessary for the safety, regularity and efficiency of air navigation throughout the entire territory and airspace of the UK and the airspace over the high seas under the jurisdiction of the UK They do not create the material only collate and disseminate