Chapter 5 - Airspace Flashcards
Airspace
How many FIRs does the UK have? What are they?
2
London FIR
Scottish FIR
What is the vertical range of the UK FIRs?
Surface to 19,500 feet
What is the airspace called above the FIRs? How else is this known in the UK?
Upper airspace
Upper Information Regions (UIRs)
What is the vertical extent of the UK UIRs?
19,500 feet to 66,000 feet
What are the two distinct categories of airspace?
Controlled airspace
Uncontrolled airspace
Which airspace categories are assigned to uncontrolled airspace in the UK?
F and G
What are the four broad classes of airspace to be found in the UK?
Control Zones (CTR)
Terminal Control Areas (TCA)
Control Areas (CTA)
Airways
Describe the purpose and limitations of Control Zones (CTRs)
- Airspace around certain aerodromes in which ATC is provided to all flights
- Ground level to a specified altitude/flight level
- Minimum 5 nm either side of the centre of the airport, in the direction of the approach path
Describe the purpose of TCAs
How else can it be abbreviated?
- A Control Area at the confluence of controlled airspace routes in the vicinity of one or more major aerodromes
- TMA (Terminal manoeuvring area)
Describe a Control Area (CTA)
A portion of airspace in which ATC is provided, and which extends upwards from a specified base altitude or flight level to an upper limit expressed as a flight level
Describe an Airway
A Control Area in the form of a corridor, delineated by radio nav aids
Each has a specific ID code
Extends 5nm each side of a straight line joining certain places
All airways are Class…
A
VFR operations in controlled airspace are usually confined to Class…because…
D and E
Class A= IFR only
Class B= Not used in UK
Class C= 19,500 feet upwards
SVFR is an authorisation to fly in…(subject to ATC clearance)
A Control Zone
What are the flight conditions specified for SVFR?
- Clear of cloud
- 1500m (800m for helicopters)
- No more than 140kts IAS
- Day only
- Ground visibility of 1500m+ (800m+ for helicopters)
- Cloud ceiling no less than 600ft
The UK also permits SVFR…
At night
Under what circumstances may a PPL holder cross an Airway?
By flying at right angles to the base of the airway where the base of the airway is described as a Flight Level
The Airway must not be entered
Under what circumstances may one penetrate an Airway in VMC?
- By holding a valid IR
- Filing a flight plan
- Requesting a crossing clearance from at least 10 minutes away
When eligible, which other rules must be adhered to when crossing or entering an Airway?
They must be crossed using the shortest possible route
They must be entered while already at the required flight level
How else may uncontrolled UK airspace be known?
The open FIR/Class G airspace
What kinds of areas are included in the Open FIR?
MATZs
Radar Advisory Service Areas (RASAs)
ATZs
Which Air Traffic Services are available in Open FIR and what are their sub-divisions (if any)?
Flight Information Service (FIS) Radar Services (including Lower Airspace Radar Advisory Service/LARS) - Traffic Service - Deconfliction Service ATZ/MATZ services
Who provides a FIS in the UK?
London Information or Scottish Information
What services are provided by a FIS?
- Information and warnings on meteorological conditions
- Changes of serviceability in navigational and approach aids
- Condition of aerodrome facilities
- Alerting services
- Aircraft proximity warnings
- Other pertinent safety advice
What Airspace classification are ATZs?
This is governed by the class of airspace in which they are located
What are the standard dimensions of an ATZ?
- Ground level to 2,000 feet aal
- 2nm radius from the centre of the longest runway if the runway is 1,850m or less
- 2.5nm radius from the centre of the longest runway if the runway is greater than 1,850m in length