The February edition of the CAA’s Olympic Newsletter outlines many of the procedures that pilots will need to adopt if they wish to operate into or out of the Olympic Restricted Airspace R112, which operates in the SE of England from July 14 till August 15.

On first inspection it appears that just two frequencies will be operating for pilots to make initial contact with ‘Atlas Control’ - North 132.800 and South 123.225. These frequencies are those that are usually used in the same area for Farnborough LARS North and East. This does raise some concern as to whether, at peak periods such as weekends, there will be delays in accepting flight-plans due to insufficient ATC availability. One can only hope that initial contact calls will be very brief and pilots will be quickly handed off to an en route controller.    

Despite the many reservations pilots, particularly in the SE, have had over the restricted area, the CAA and NATS have clearly put in a great deal of effort to make the system as user friendly as possible, and continue to expend a great deal of effort in publicising how pilots will still be able to operate throughout the Olympic period. As part of the information exercise, Light Aviation magazine will be publishing Flight Planning and operational details as the Games period approaches, and will include an updated version of the London 2012 Restricted Airspace leaflet with the May or June issue, depending on when it becomes available.

If you operate in or near the SE of England, please ensure you are up to speed on operational procedures during the Games period, and be a good neighbour and help other pilots on your strip or airfield self-brief if they are unclear of the Olympic Restrictions.