Hawarden
Air Traffic Control looking into creating a Radio Mandatory Zone so
pilots must use a radio in the airspace near airport
Increasing numbers of unknown aircraft flying close to Hawarden Airport have led to the proposal of a new safety measure.
Hawarden
Air Traffic Control has launched a consultation with airspace users
about the possibility of a Radio Mandatory Zone (RMZ).
This would
mean pilots having to make two-way radio communication with the
“Hawarden Radar” before entering the proposed airspace zone – something
that is not currently a requirement.
How much of the airspace the
RMZ will cover has not yet been finalized but it is most likely to be
in operation between 6.30am-9pm weekdays, 8.30am-7pm on Saturdays, and
8.30am-5pm on Sundays and public holidays.
The Hawarden Airport
RMZ Consultation website stated: “The reason we are considering the
establishment of an RMZ is quite simply safety. Hawarden is routinely
used by large and fast aircraft, whilst general aviation traffic has
increased in volume and variety. We have witnessed an increasing number
of unknown aircraft operating, totally legally, in the local area.
“Unfortunately,
controllers aren’t always able to find a safe way to route aircraft
around the unknown traffic, quite simply because we don’t know their
intentions, they can turn, climb or descend at any point and we don’t
know when that will happen.
“Moreover, smaller aircraft such as
home-builds and microlight-sized aircraft do not always generate a good
radar return and sometimes they do not display on radar at all. If we
know your intentions in advance, we will be able to vector traffic to
ensure the safety of all, whilst minimizing the disruption to all
flights.”
The website added: “As with many UK airports, Hawarden Airport is in the process of evolving and developing.
“Beluga
movements will increase as Airbus are increasing production and wing
delivery over the next few years, the next generation Airbus Beluga may
well be based on a larger aircraft, existing airframes in the business
domain are being replaced by larger aircraft, other companies operating
on the airport such as Airbus Helicopters, Marshall Aerospace and
Flintshire Flying School are all looking to maximize flying
opportunities.”
The first RMZ was established as a temporary
measure around Blackpool Airport in 2013. And last month a temporary
zone was also put in place around Southend Airport until a decision is
made regarding their application for controlled airspace.
Hawarden
Air Traffic Control would prefer a RMZ to a controlled airspace as the
latter would be “overkill” and “not warranted for the current level of
operation and safety risk”.
- Source: http://www.dailypost.co.uk
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