Against this background the CAA is now consulting on another phase of Mode S but before we get into the proposals, here are some headline statements from the CAA:
- This does not propose that all aircraft should carry Mode S in all airspace.
- The proposals are not designed to facilitate an increase in commercial air traffic or UAVs in class G airspace
- Aircraft that cannot equip will not be grounded
And from the LAA:
- Mode S should only be mandated where it can be shown to be necessary.
- Not all aircraft will be able to carry and operate Mode S.
- They should not be unduly restricted as a result.
Fist it will be helpful to look at the consultation as a whole.
Government guidelines require the CAA to be clear about what it is consulting on and to consider alternative options including a do nothing option. In this document the CAA sets out what it calls 4 options but they are really 4 separate policies with each needing its own alternative options and a do nothing option. In the document we find no alternative options and a do nothing option that covers all 4 policies. Because of this the document does not consider if there is another way of achieving each policy and we are not told the consequences of not doing, say, Option 4. As a result we must try to construct the alternatives ourselves and we will do this in the paragraphs that follow.
On then to the 4 proposals each covered in the sections that follow. In looking at these we must bear in mind some statements extracted here from various parts of the document:
The CAA says it does not want to mandate Mode S for all aircraft in all airspace but that in addition to these proposals they:
- 1) have an aspiration to widen the circumstances where aircraft have to carry and operate transponders and:
- 2) their overall aspiration is to maximise the carriage of Mode S in UK airspace as well as:
- 3) this is part of a phased introduction of proposals.
This can only mean that the CAA intends mandating mode S in all class G airspace later on as in reality that is all the airspace that will be left. In writing your responses please remember that this is just part of the plan.
Use these links to examine each "Option"
Option 1 - Option 2 - Option 3 - Option 4
Links:
What the LAA Thinks of the Consultation
Why Mode S Transponders and Not A or A/C
The Consultation
Transition and Exemption Arrangements
Deadline 31st May 2008
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