Threat to Panshanger Aerodrome

The Welwyn and Hatfield Borough Council consulted on a Local Plan as they are obliged to do by the new the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) .  This Plan proposes to build 700 houses on Panshanger Aerodrome but gives no consideration at all to the value of the aerodrome and its facilities to the community - something they are obliged to do by the NPPF and their own planning strategy.

 

The consultation closed on 31 January 2013 but once the Council has reviewed and reissued its local plan there will be another round of consultation – stand by for that we - will call you if you are registered for LAA CAN.

After that there will be a review by a planning inspector at which we can give evidence.  If the plan does not comply with the NPPF (see above) it can be set aside.  So we have more opportunities.

 

If you want to reference any of the documents you should be able to do so through the links below although they may stop working at some stage.

 

Planning Threat to Panshanger Airfield - Information can be found here.

Planning Threat to Panshanger Aerodrome – Guidance Material can be found here.

You can read the LAA response sent to Welwyn Hatfield Council here.

 

 

LAA
1st February 2013

Introduction of Radio Mandatory Zones - Consultation

The CAA is consulting on a procedure for introducing radio mandatory zones (RMZ).  Please give us your view on this and we will represent you in the LAA response.  You can post on the LAA forum (preferred method as others can benefit from your views) or email us consultation@laa.uk.com.

 

The consultation document is here. 

 

The deadline is 26 Feb 2013.

 

The CAA has talked to us about this idea already and it is mentioned in the Standard European Rules of the Air that we were involved in.  The concept being that where a regional airport seeks some airspace protection it is a big step to establish Class D airspace but that is presently the only option available; this would enable a less restrictive area to be put in place.  If you read the proposal you will see that you would be required to contact ATC and tell them your intentions but you would not need a clearance and ATC could not give you directions although they might request.  There would be a process for non-radio aircraft but that is not detailed.  Neither is the likely size of an RMZ.

 

This is more likely to be a problem for other air sports, particularly the hang glider and paraglider community.  But it will be a problem for some members and we need to look after their interest.

 

Please let us know what you think.

 

John Brady

LAA Airspace Team
20th November 2012

 

Better access through the Manchester and Liverpool controlled airspace

The LAA Airspace Team is working with the CAA and the ATC managers at Liverpool and Manchester to improve access and safety for aircraft transiting the area north/south under VFR.

 

Presently the low level route offered uncontrolled VFR access but the terrain is increasingly built up and the altitude restriction makes it necessary to fly at low level.

 

It appears that for at least part of the route, it appears that the adjacent controlled airspace is not needed and the route could be widened or parts of the CTR could be returned to Class G.  It might also be useful to publish, on VFR charts, preferred VFR access routes through controlled airspace to encourage pilots to consider to take that option.

 

Please give us your views on this.  You can post on the LAA forum (preferred method as others can benefit from your views) or email us consultation@laa.uk.com.

 

Thanks

 

John Brady
Airspace Team
20th November 2012

 

 

Bristol and Cardiff controlled airspace

The LAA Airspace Team is in  discussion with the ATC managers at Bristol and Cardiff airports to consider if there are any parts of the substantial CTR and CTA that commercial operations does not need and that might be given back to Class G airspace.

 

Recently Bristol consulted on adding a small amount of controlled airspace that was needed for commercial departures on to airway N864 towards BHD because the airspace they had was insufficient.  So it is reasonable now to ask what airspace is no longer needed particularly now that Bristol Filton is closing.

 

Please give us your views on this and particularly tell us if there is a bit of controlled airspace that would be useful to you if it was given back as Class G.

 

You can post on the LAA forum (preferred method as others can benefit from your views) or email us consultation@laa.uk.com.

 

Thanks,

 

John Brady
Airspace Team
20th November 2012