airfieldmanual:6._local_airspace_for_glider_pilots
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| airfieldmanual:6._local_airspace_for_glider_pilots [2025/02/21 09:09] – created - external edit 127.0.0.1 | airfieldmanual:6._local_airspace_for_glider_pilots [2026/03/10 16:08] (current) – [1. Summary] kateb | ||
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| - | ====== | + | ====== 6. Local Airspace for Glider Pilots ====== |
| We are, by the standards of many UK clubs, blessed with relatively unrestrictive airspace at Portmoak. However it is also complex in that different limits apply at different times and in different circumstances. What’s written here is an attempt to describe it from a glider pilot’s perspective – it is not the law and may not be definitive – the UK IAIP on the [[http:// | We are, by the standards of many UK clubs, blessed with relatively unrestrictive airspace at Portmoak. However it is also complex in that different limits apply at different times and in different circumstances. What’s written here is an attempt to describe it from a glider pilot’s perspective – it is not the law and may not be definitive – the UK IAIP on the [[http:// | ||
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| As a starter, all pilots intending to undertake cross-country flights or height gain badges should; | As a starter, all pilots intending to undertake cross-country flights or height gain badges should; | ||
| - | * Familiarise themselves with current maps and if flying beyond 10km/5nm of the airfield, carry a current aeronautical chart for the intended route. | + | * Familiarise themselves with current maps and if flying beyond 10km/5nm of the airfield, carry a current aeronautical chart for the intended route. |
| - | * Carry and use a moving map loaded with the latest airspace particularly if wave flying. The latest airspace files can be accessed via the [[https:// | + | * Carry and use a moving map loaded with the latest airspace particularly if wave flying. The latest airspace files can be accessed via the [[https:// |
| - | * Check the NOTAMs for any temporary airspace changes | + | * Check the NOTAMs for any temporary airspace changes |
| * Understand the specific airspace crossing procedures with or without transponders | * Understand the specific airspace crossing procedures with or without transponders | ||
| - | ===== - Overview ===== | + | |
| + | ===== 6.1 Overview ===== | ||
| The airways depicted are now all part of **TAY CTA** and individual segments are identified by the letter shown, e.g. our site is partially under '**TAY CTA X**'. | The airways depicted are now all part of **TAY CTA** and individual segments are identified by the letter shown, e.g. our site is partially under '**TAY CTA X**'. | ||
| - | {{ : | + | {{ : |
| - | {{ : | + | {{ : |
| - | Text in <color red> | + | Text in <color red> |
| - | | + | - <color red> |
| - Immediately to the East of the airfield is the **Fife (Glenrothes) airfield and parachute drop zone**. | - Immediately to the East of the airfield is the **Fife (Glenrothes) airfield and parachute drop zone**. | ||
| - Immediately to the West of the airfield is the **Balado microlight and TMG site**. | - Immediately to the West of the airfield is the **Balado microlight and TMG site**. | ||
| - | - Approximately 4 nm South of the airfield lies the **Scottish TMA and the Edinburgh CTR**. | + | - Approximately 4 nm South of the airfield lies the **Scottish TMA and the Edinburgh CTR**. |
| - | - Approximately 6 nm West of the airfield lies the Northern section of the **Scottish TMA**. | + | - Approximately 6 nm West of the airfield lies the Northern section of the **Scottish TMA**. |
| - | - Approximately 7 nm Northwest of the airfield lies airway **TAY CTA A & B**. | + | - Approximately 7 nm Northwest of the airfield lies airway **TAY CTA A & B**. |
| - | - There are **parachute drop zones** at Fife (Glenrothes) (a mere 4 nm E), Strathallan (c. 16 nm NW) and Errol (14 nm NNE). | + | - There are **parachute drop zones** |
| - | - There are **active airfields** at Fife (Glenrothes), | + | - There are **active airfields** |
| - | - Airway **MORAY CTA** running North – South from the Scottish TMA towards Inverness. | + | - Airway **MORAY CTA** running North – South from the Scottish TMA towards Inverness. |
| - | - All VFR traffic (which includes gliders) **above FL100** is required to be transponder equipped and to use the transponder in mode C or S (altitude reporting) unless granted an exemption (for example by NOTAM). | + | - All VFR traffic (which includes gliders) **above FL100** |
| - | - All airspace **above FL195** is class C and gliders are excluded unless operating under the conditions of a special agreement or with a specific ATC clearance. | + | - All airspace **above FL195** |
| - **Special Agreements**. There are four key arrangements which permit us to enter specific areas of controlled airspace by using specific procedures. | - **Special Agreements**. There are four key arrangements which permit us to enter specific areas of controlled airspace by using specific procedures. | ||
| - | ===== - Detail ===== | ||
| - | Here we look at more detail on the airspace factors shown above. <color # | + | ===== 6.2 Detail ===== |
| - | ==== - Airway TAY CTA X & Y ==== | + | Here we look at more detail on the airspace factors shown above. <color # |
| + | |||
| + | |||
| + | ==== 6.2.1 Airway TAY CTA X & Y ==== | ||
| <color red>This exists every Saturday and Sunday regardless of anything else. The airway is directly overhead our airfield and Bishop Hill. Over the airfield it starts at FL65. If you are overhead or W of St Serf’s Island in Loch Leven you are clear to the West of the airway. If you fly N along Bishop the base rises from FL65 to FL85 as you reach the bowl above Kinnesswood village.</ | <color red>This exists every Saturday and Sunday regardless of anything else. The airway is directly overhead our airfield and Bishop Hill. Over the airfield it starts at FL65. If you are overhead or W of St Serf’s Island in Loch Leven you are clear to the West of the airway. If you fly N along Bishop the base rises from FL65 to FL85 as you reach the bowl above Kinnesswood village.</ | ||
| Line 49: | Line 51: | ||
| <color red>This is an area where good wave often gets really going – usually in combination with strong head winds (low ground speeds) – so pilots need to be on their toes to avoid being carried upwards or backwards into the airway. Unless you have read and activated the airway crossing procedure **stay clear of this airspace under all circumstances at weekends**.</ | <color red>This is an area where good wave often gets really going – usually in combination with strong head winds (low ground speeds) – so pilots need to be on their toes to avoid being carried upwards or backwards into the airway. Unless you have read and activated the airway crossing procedure **stay clear of this airspace under all circumstances at weekends**.</ | ||
| - | ==== - Fife (Glenrothes) Parachute Drop Zone and Flying Club ==== | + | |
| + | |||
| + | ==== 6.2.2 Fife (Glenrothes) Parachute Drop Zone and Flying Club ==== | ||
| The parachute drop zone is active primarily at the weekend but **occasionally on ad-hoc weekdays**. At present this drop zone can be notified up to FL120 with the agreement of Scottish Control. The launch point caravan white board should indicate if the Fife Drop Zone is active, but remain clear unless certain it is inactive. Fife airfield also operates a busy commercial training operation/ | The parachute drop zone is active primarily at the weekend but **occasionally on ad-hoc weekdays**. At present this drop zone can be notified up to FL120 with the agreement of Scottish Control. The launch point caravan white board should indicate if the Fife Drop Zone is active, but remain clear unless certain it is inactive. Fife airfield also operates a busy commercial training operation/ | ||
| - | ==== - Balado Microlight and Motorgliding Site ==== | + | |
| + | ==== 6.2.3 Balado Microlight and Motorgliding Site ==== | ||
| This site is on the other side of Loch Leven from the SGC and two miles West of Kinross – the large white “golf ball” radome is an unmissable landmark. This site has become busier over the last few years and pilots operating close to the site should exercise good airmanship and remain well clear of their circuit. A call on their channel 118.605 to let them know you are nearby is appreciated. | This site is on the other side of Loch Leven from the SGC and two miles West of Kinross – the large white “golf ball” radome is an unmissable landmark. This site has become busier over the last few years and pilots operating close to the site should exercise good airmanship and remain well clear of their circuit. A call on their channel 118.605 to let them know you are nearby is appreciated. | ||
| - | ==== - Scottish TMA and the Edinburgh CTR ==== | + | |
| + | ==== 6.2.4 Scottish TMA and the Edinburgh CTR ==== | ||
| At lower levels the Edinburgh CTR consists of a 20 nm diameter circle centred on Edinburgh airport, class D from surface to 6000 ft, surrounded by an angular box of the Scottish TMA which is a mixture of class D and class E airspace below 6000 ft. Above 6000 ft the entire area is class D. | At lower levels the Edinburgh CTR consists of a 20 nm diameter circle centred on Edinburgh airport, class D from surface to 6000 ft, surrounded by an angular box of the Scottish TMA which is a mixture of class D and class E airspace below 6000 ft. Above 6000 ft the entire area is class D. | ||
| Line 69: | Line 75: | ||
| Finally, if your glider/ | Finally, if your glider/ | ||
| - | ==== - Northern Section of Scottish TMA ==== | ||
| - | This airspace, due West of Portmoak, is class E from 4000 ft up to 6000 ft and class D above 6000 ft. | + | ==== 6.2.5 Northern Section of Scottish TMA ==== |
| + | This airspace, due West of Portmoak, is class E from 4000 ft up to 6000 ft and class D above 6000 ft. | ||
| - | <color red>// | + | <color red>// |
| - | ==== - Airway TAY CTA sections A-D==== | + | |
| + | ==== 6.2.6 Airway TAY CTA sections A-D ==== | ||
| This airway runs SW – NE across an area well used for wave cross-country flights. The base is at various levels starting at FL55 in the SW rising to FL105 in the middle before dropping back to FL55 at the NE end. Avoiding the various airway blocks while exploiting wave lift (or avoiding sink!) requires careful route selection. | This airway runs SW – NE across an area well used for wave cross-country flights. The base is at various levels starting at FL55 in the SW rising to FL105 in the middle before dropping back to FL55 at the NE end. Avoiding the various airway blocks while exploiting wave lift (or avoiding sink!) requires careful route selection. | ||
| Line 82: | Line 89: | ||
| From Portmoak a good visual reference for the SE edge of **TAY CTA X** is a line joining the southern end of Glenfarg Reservoir with the point at which the Earn flows into the Tay. The area of **TAY CTA A** covering the E end of the Ochils, Gleneagles and Strathallan has a base at FL55. If you proceed on a NW course then a crossing N and E of Dunning has a base of FL85. Further N and E still, a crossing N and E of Scone airfield (not Perth itself – that’s still FL85) has a base at FL105. Further N the bases step down again as the airway joins the Aberdeen CTA. | From Portmoak a good visual reference for the SE edge of **TAY CTA X** is a line joining the southern end of Glenfarg Reservoir with the point at which the Earn flows into the Tay. The area of **TAY CTA A** covering the E end of the Ochils, Gleneagles and Strathallan has a base at FL55. If you proceed on a NW course then a crossing N and E of Dunning has a base of FL85. Further N and E still, a crossing N and E of Scone airfield (not Perth itself – that’s still FL85) has a base at FL105. Further N the bases step down again as the airway joins the Aberdeen CTA. | ||
| - | <color red>The southernmost sections of **TAY CTA A & B** //may// be opened to gliders at weekends – refer [[E. Letters of Agreement]]. The diagram below shows the effect of the activation of the **TAY CTA/TMA** area. It also shows the Portmoak Wave Box (Portmoak TRA(G)) which is activated separately from the **TAY CTA/TMA** area. Please check the status of both areas before taking off.</ | + | <color red>The southernmost sections of **TAY CTA A & B** //may// be opened to gliders at weekends – refer [[: |
| - | + | ||
| - | {{ : | + | |
| + | {{ : | ||
| If you are flying during weekdays then unless you have read, signed and activated the airway crossing procedure //stay clear of this airspace under all circumstances.// | If you are flying during weekdays then unless you have read, signed and activated the airway crossing procedure //stay clear of this airspace under all circumstances.// | ||
| - | ==== - Parachute drop zones ==== | + | ==== 6.2.7 Parachute drop zones ==== |
| Unless you have positive information that any drop zone is inactive you must remain outside a circle of 1.5 nm radius up to FL150 (FL120 for Fife (Glenrothes)) centred on each of the notified parachute sites. If you are within 3 nm of either Strathallan or Errol drop zones, they would appreciate a call on 129.905. You do //not// need an FRTOL to call on 129.905. If they do not reply, this does //not// mean that the zone is inactive. Glenrothes (“Fife Radio”) channel is 130.455. They will be expecting gliding activity up to the edge of their drop zone however a call on the radio is appreciated by them if you are close. | Unless you have positive information that any drop zone is inactive you must remain outside a circle of 1.5 nm radius up to FL150 (FL120 for Fife (Glenrothes)) centred on each of the notified parachute sites. If you are within 3 nm of either Strathallan or Errol drop zones, they would appreciate a call on 129.905. You do //not// need an FRTOL to call on 129.905. If they do not reply, this does //not// mean that the zone is inactive. Glenrothes (“Fife Radio”) channel is 130.455. They will be expecting gliding activity up to the edge of their drop zone however a call on the radio is appreciated by them if you are close. | ||
| - | ==== - Active Airfields ==== | + | |
| + | ==== 6.2.8 Active Airfields ==== | ||
| The ATZs at the local airfields are active to 2000ft above each airfield. The zone at Leuchars is 2.5 nm radius, while Perth and Dundee are only 2 nm. Leuchars also has a MATZ. | The ATZs at the local airfields are active to 2000ft above each airfield. The zone at Leuchars is 2.5 nm radius, while Perth and Dundee are only 2 nm. Leuchars also has a MATZ. | ||
| Line 106: | Line 113: | ||
| For these and indeed any other airfields you are flying close to, a simple call on the radio to let them know who and where you are and what you plan on doing goes down well. Plain English will suffice if you do not have a FRTOL. If you need to land at an airfield (with Perth being a popular spot) please call them. Arriving unannounced at an airfield is not only very poor airmanship but if that airfield has an ATZ, it contravenes air law. | For these and indeed any other airfields you are flying close to, a simple call on the radio to let them know who and where you are and what you plan on doing goes down well. Plain English will suffice if you do not have a FRTOL. If you need to land at an airfield (with Perth being a popular spot) please call them. Arriving unannounced at an airfield is not only very poor airmanship but if that airfield has an ATZ, it contravenes air law. | ||
| - | ==== - Airway MORAY CTA ==== | + | |
| + | ==== 6.2.9 Airway MORAY CTA ==== | ||
| Airway MORAY CTA which runs N from the Scottish TMA is Class E+ (TMZ) airspace (note: TMZ means Transponder Mandatory Zone). The requirements for operating in this airspace are as follows: | Airway MORAY CTA which runs N from the Scottish TMA is Class E+ (TMZ) airspace (note: TMZ means Transponder Mandatory Zone). The requirements for operating in this airspace are as follows: | ||
| - | === - Non-Transponder Equipped Gliders === | + | === 6.2.9.1 |
| VFR flights not complying with the notified SSR carriage and operation requirements require approval to enter Class E+ TMZ airspace. Such aircraft are required to be either in radio contact with the controlling authority or to operate in accordance with agreed procedures. | VFR flights not complying with the notified SSR carriage and operation requirements require approval to enter Class E+ TMZ airspace. Such aircraft are required to be either in radio contact with the controlling authority or to operate in accordance with agreed procedures. | ||
| Line 116: | Line 124: | ||
| VFR flights operating without a functioning Mode S SSR transponder and in radio contact with the appropriate controlling authority may exceptionally, | VFR flights operating without a functioning Mode S SSR transponder and in radio contact with the appropriate controlling authority may exceptionally, | ||
| - | === - Transponder Equipped Gliders === | + | === 6.2.9.2 |
| VFR aircraft within Class E+TMZ airways shall carry and operate a Mode S Secondary Surveillance Radar (SSR) transponder. VFR flights do not require ATC clearance and, subject to complying with the notified TMZ requirements, | VFR aircraft within Class E+TMZ airways shall carry and operate a Mode S Secondary Surveillance Radar (SSR) transponder. VFR flights do not require ATC clearance and, subject to complying with the notified TMZ requirements, | ||
| - | === - Summary === | + | === 6.2.9.3 |
| To summarise, as long as there are no exceptional circumstances ATC will not deny us access to fly within Class E+ TMZ airspace even if we do not have a working transponder in the glider. | To summarise, as long as there are no exceptional circumstances ATC will not deny us access to fly within Class E+ TMZ airspace even if we do not have a working transponder in the glider. | ||
| - | Refer [[f._moray_cta_radio_procedures]] on how to make the appropriate radio calls to access MORAY CTA when not transponder equipped. | + | Refer [[: |
| Furthermore, | Furthermore, | ||
| - | ==== - VFR flight above FL100 ==== | + | |
| + | ==== 6.2.10 | ||
| GA aircraft and gliders operating VFR above FL100 are required to have and operate a transponder (Mode C or S). In Scotland the SGA has negotiated an exemption from this requirement for gliders only to enable wave flying above FL100 in Class G airspace, ref. [[https:// | GA aircraft and gliders operating VFR above FL100 are required to have and operate a transponder (Mode C or S). In Scotland the SGA has negotiated an exemption from this requirement for gliders only to enable wave flying above FL100 in Class G airspace, ref. [[https:// | ||
| - | ==== - Airway P18 ==== | + | |
| + | ==== 6.2.11 | ||
| At the far eastern end of Strathmore, airway P18 makes landfall between Stonehaven and Montrose just prior to joining the Aberdeen CTA. Pilots using the Fordoun turnpoint, typically during NW wave flights, should take care due to its proximity to P18 and the CTA. | At the far eastern end of Strathmore, airway P18 makes landfall between Stonehaven and Montrose just prior to joining the Aberdeen CTA. Pilots using the Fordoun turnpoint, typically during NW wave flights, should take care due to its proximity to P18 and the CTA. | ||
| - | ==== - Special Agreements (LoAs) ==== | + | |
| + | ==== 6.2.12 | ||
| The four key Letters of Agreement (LoAs) for Portmoak are: | The four key Letters of Agreement (LoAs) for Portmoak are: | ||
| - | - TAY CTA Gliding Area (the area in the Scottish TMA and TAY CTA airway) | + | - TAY CTA Gliding Area (the area in the Scottish TMA and TAY CTA airway) |
| - | - LoA TRA(G) including the Portmoak Area (the wave box on top of the TAY CTA Gliding Area) and the Scottish wave boxes | + | - LoA TRA(G) including the Portmoak Area (the wave box on top of the TAY CTA Gliding Area) and the Scottish wave boxes |
| - | - TAY CTA Airway Crossing procedures | + | - TAY CTA Airway Crossing procedures |
| - Crossing Edinburgh Class D airspace | - Crossing Edinburgh Class D airspace | ||
| - | The various [[https:// | + | The various [[https:// |
| - | ===== - Summary ===== | + | ===== 6.3 Summary ===== |
| Our airspace is relatively unrestricted, | Our airspace is relatively unrestricted, | ||
| - | //**SANT CERVANTES & JOHN WILLIAMS 2022**// | + | //**SANT CERVANTES & JOHN WILLIAMS 2022** // |
| - | [[5. Airfield Operations]] | [[airfieldmanual: | + | [[: |
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