Tailored news, notifications & alertsfrom the CAA

The second set of guidance from the Airspace Infringement Working Group is now available on the Airspace & Safety Initiative website. This new content covers route planning and preparation with two views of threat and error management in action – looking at planning not to infringe and weather. Read more https://airspacesafety.com/pre-flight-planning/

Restriction of Flying Regulations for flying display at Beccles Aerodrome on 22nd and 23rd May 2021. Details by NOTAM and in AIC M019/2021 at http://www.nats-uk.ead-it.com Restrictions also apply to the operation of all drones. SW 2021/100  

The Airspace & Safety Initiative‘s latest infringement occurrence narrative looks at an infringement of the Class A London Terminal Control Area with air traffic control and pilot perspectives, causal factors and analysis. Read Infringement of the Class A London Terminal Control Area

New guidance from the Airspace Infringement Working Group (AIWG) includes a refresher on the importance of planning, a reminder to check your own fitness to fly, and a detailed piece on how to plan your weather briefing. Read Pre-flight planning – Airspace Safety More aspects of successful pre-flight prep and planning will be covered over […]

Some of you may have had trouble with the link we sent out to our most recent GA update which looked at the risks of mid-air collisions. www.caa.co.uk/CAP2150 will take you to this Clued Up special. Follow this link for the full list of Clued Ups. We have just published an updated version of Airspace […]

The Manual of Air Traffic Services (MATS) Part 1 (CAP 493) edition 9 corrigendum is now available at www.caa.co.uk/CAP493 The effective date is 20 May 2021.

The CAA has published an amended version of its Wake Turbulence Categorisation Database.  The database should be used by ATC service providers in conjunction with the wake turbulence categories in Appendix B to the MATS Part 1 (CAP 493) to determine the required wake turbulence separation. Version 3 of the database is effective on publication. […]

The Manual of Air Traffic Services (MATS) Part 1 (CAP 493) edition 9 has been withdrawn while errors are corrected. A SkyWise alert will be sent out as soon as a revised version of this future edition has been re-issued.

On behalf of the Department for Transport (DfT), the CAA has identified and evaluated the impacts of the revised VMC minima on the safe and efficient operation of UK class D airspace.  Our analysis is recorded in CAP 2093 CAA Impact Analysis – Changes to VMC Minima in UK Class D Airspace. It represents a […]

We have published today under CAA UK Official Record Series 5 our revised 13 Schemes of Charges that will be legally implemented with effect from 1 April 2021. The current 13 Schemes of Charges will be effective to and including 31 March 2021. Following the waiving of the proposed charge increase in 2020/21, the CAA […]

The latest Airspace Safety Initiative occurrence narrative looks at an Infringement of Class D – Manchester Control Area. The fifth in the series includes perspectives from the Manchester radar controller, the Barton FISO and the pilot. While we understand that many pilots are currently unable to fly due to COVID-19 restrictions we aim to continue […]

On 18 Jan 2021 the CAA published CAP 413 SI 2021/01 to the Radiotelephony Manual (CAP 413).  This Sl details changes being made to CAP 413 relating to the introduction of phraseology for Air/Ground Communications Service (AGCS) radio station operators and Aerodrome Flight Information Service Officers (AFISO) who operate at aerodromes with required navigation performance […]

Edition 4 of the Flight Information Service Officer (FISO) Manual (CAP 797) was published on 26 February 2021, effective 26 March 2021. Published for use by FISOs it contains procedures, instructions and information pertaining to both aerodrome and area operations. It may also be of general interest to others associated with civil aviation. In addition […]

Supplementary Instructions published today implement changes to Movement Area Surface Condition Reporting: Radiotelephony Manual (CAP 413) SI 2021/02 MATS Pt 1 (CAP 493) SI 2021/02 FISO Manual (CAP 797) SI 2021/02

Supplementary Instructions published today introduce a change to flight priorities involving Search and Rescue (SAR) aircraft: Radiotelephony Manual (CAP 413) SI 2021/03 MATS Pt 1 (CAP 493) SI 2021/01 FISO Manual (CAP 797) SI 2021/01

The CAA has published an amended version of its Wake Turbulence Categorisation Database.  The database should be used by ATC service providers in conjunction with the wake turbulence categories in Appendix B to the MATS Part 1 (CAP 493) to determine the required wake turbulence separation. Version 2 of the database includes a new tab […]

From 20 May 2021, the UK will revert to the rules on flight visibility and distance from cloud in class D airspace that existed up to 26 March 2020.  The changes to the visual meteorological conditions (VMC) minima will apply to aircraft flying within the UK in class D airspace provided that they are flying […]

While we understand that many pilots are currently unable to fly due to COVID-19 restrictions we aim to continue to release safety education and awareness material to support the future return to flying and continue to help promote longer-term safety awareness. To meet that aim we are taking the opportunity to share the latest safety […]

The aviation reporting portal relaunched for the UK on 5 January 2021. At this time UK reporters do not need to register for an account to submit MOR reports to the UK CAA and those wishing to use this portal should do so by selecting the ‘report an occurrence without registration’ option. The UK working […]

In line with the recent government announcement of a National lockdown, along with the restrictions in Scotland, the UK CAA senior management team have concluded that all scheduled commercial examinations to be sat will be cancelled from next week until the end of February 2021. Commercial pilot (aeroplane and helicopter) examinations Aircraft Maintenance Engineers examinations […]

Following the UK exit from the European Union, the European Geostationary Navigation Overlay Service (EGNOS) will continue to be available for LPV operations, post 01 January 2021 and until further notice. This affects the use of Satellite Based Augmentation Systems (SBAS) at aerodromes with LPV lines of aerodrome operating minima displayed on their RNP Approach […]

EU Exit: the UK and EU have reached agreement over future trading relationships, including those involving aviation. We are studying the detail of the agreements relating to air transport and aviation safety and will update relevant pages of the UK-EU transition microsite as information becomes clearer about how the new arrangements will work in practice. […]

The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) and Department for Transport (DfT) has asked us to make sure the aviation industry is aware of the recent SolarWinds Orion network cyber security breach. The NCSC has published information and guidance on their website. The NCSC advises that even if an organisation does not use this system that […]

This document covers the unmanned aircraft related articles within the Air Navigation Order that will remain relevant after the 31 December 2020 amendment.   It provides an outline of the revised regulations as they now appear in law and supplements the information provided in CAP 722 regarding the new UAS regulation package that becomes applicable […]

The purpose of these Supplementary Instructions is to implement changes to VMC minima within UK airspace. MATS Pt 1 (CAP 493) SI 2020/07 FISO Manual (CAP 797) SI 2020/08 SW2020/280

Due to the festive period, any paperwork relating to a licence or medical transfer, including the transfer request from the EU NAA, must be received by the CAA no later than 24 December in order to meet the transfer submission deadline. Please note that the recommended submission date for transfers as published by the CAA […]

The UK Civil Aviation Authority has today launched its new procedure to review the classification of airspace. This procedure will take effect from 1 December 2020.

Radiotelephony Manual (CAP 413) Edition 23 Amendment 1 was published today (26 November 2020) as a future edition, effective 21 January 2021. This is a routine periodic update which includes changes relating to: ICAO PANS ATM Amendment 8 –  partial changes from the use of the term ‘radar’ to ‘ATS Surveillance Systems’ Editorial amendments to circuit procedures […]

Two Supplementary Instructions (SIs) to the Manual of Air Traffic Service (MATS) Part 1 (CAP 493) have been published: Supplementary Instruction 2020/05 is to permit (subject to local safety assessment) flexibility around the use of the IDENT feature with conspicuityand special purpose SSR codes. Supplementary Instruction 2020/06 is to insert a flexibility provision into the […]

The CAA has issued a significant number of exemptions to help aviation cope with the impact of the Government’s COVID-19 restrictions. Currently, we don’t plan to issue any wide-ranging exemptions for the current lockdown when the current set end on 22 November. Under the current lockdown restrictions the Department for Transport has confirmed that engine […]

CAP1428 has been revised to include details relating to ICAO Space Weather Advisories and Met Office Space Weather Products and Services. The updates also provide guidance on Safety Risk Assessments for industry when considering the threat of a severe space weather event.

Over the last twelve months Local Airspace Infringement Teams and Air Navigation Service Providers (ANSP) have produced 25 narratives to help pilots avoid infringing airspace at known hot-spots around the UK. This final update sets out a simple ‘index’ of the narratives and a summary of the key points that may help pilots avoid infringing […]

We will shortly be withdrawing the CAP 624 series of documents. The elements covering ratings (ADV, ADI, APP, APS, ACS) will be reviewed with the aim to republish at a later date. In the meantime Air Navigation Service Providers and ATC training organisations are advised to retain those references in their training documentation and, if […]

Air Transport FEEDBACK 136 was produced during the COVID-19 summer period, which saw a reduction in reporting to CHIRP as a result of decreased flying rates.  Operating under stress because of redundancy fears was one of the frequently reported issues, and this is mentioned in two of the articles, one about flying and one about […]

The twenty-fifth in the Airspace & Safety Initiative’s hot-spot narrative series has been written by the team at Farnborough Air Traffic Service Unit and members of the Wessex Local Airspace Infringement Team.   It focusses on the Farnborough Controlled Airspace (CAS) structure to help pilots learn directly from factors identified in the 7 months since […]

The CAA recognises the enormous impact that the COVID-19 pandemic is having on the aviation and aerospace industries. For this reason, we delayed the increase to our scheme of charges for an initial period of three months to 30 June 2020 and a further 3 months to 30 Sep 2020. Having reviewed this decision in […]

The CAA recognises the significant and sudden impact that Covid-19 has had on the UK General Aviation (GA) sector during 2020.  To support the sector through this most challenging period, the CAA has provided a suite of temporary alleviation exemptions to provide maximum flexibility, whilst maintaining safety assurance to support organisations, operators, pilots and students. […]

We have been working closely with the industry during the initial phase of COVID-19 to help aviation’s continuing operations and recovery. The initial set of COVID licence exemptions, that included extending licence validity dates, expire on 22 November 2020. Industry and licence holders are asked to make sure they will then comply with the standard […]

The purpose of this Supplementary Instruction is to detail changes made to the Manual of Air Traffic Services (MATS) Part 1 (CAP 493) to implement the wake turbulence related aspects of Amendment 9 to ICAO Doc 4444 PANS-ATM, and to amend aspects of existing MATS Part 1 wake turbulence content following a review by the […]

The twenty third hot-spot narrative from the Airspace & Safety Initiative features the service that London and Scottish Information provide service and assistance available to help avoid infringements.

Following consultation with the Birmingham Local Airspace Infringement Team, the CAA, and a review of infringement data, Birmingham Airport have taken the decision to remove Warwick VRP (M40 Junction 15) as a notified Visual Reference Point. The change is effective from 10 September 2020, and will be reflected in the UK AIP and airspace charts.

Version 2 of CAP493 SI2020-03 has now been published. The purpose of this Supplementary Instruction (SI) is to detail changes made to the Manual of Air Traffic Services (MATS) Part 1 (CAP 493) introduced by ICAO Doc 4444 PANS-ATM Amendment 8, and to introduce amendments to vectoring to final practices.  Version 2 corrects a typographical […]

Air Traffic Control licence holders should be aware that the medical element has been updated in licensing exemptions that relate to validity. The remaining content of the licensing exemptions has not changed but the reference numbers have been updated: EASA medical is now: ORS4 No. 1408Licensing is now: ORS4 No. 1410 For more information refer […]

Supplementary Instruction (SI) 2020/07 to CAP 797 Flight Information Service Officer (FISO) Manual Edition 3 was published on 4 August 2020, effective 3 December 2020. This SI details changes made to the FISO Manual (CAP 797), relating to amendment 8 to ICAO Doc 4444 PANS-ATM and to reflect changes made to the UK’s SSR Code […]

CAP493 SI2020-03 has now been published. This Supplementary Instruction details changes made to the Manual of Air Traffic Services (MATS) Part 1 (CAP 493) introduced by ICAO Doc 4444 PANS-ATM Amendment 8, and introduces amendments to vectoring to final practices.

The latest infringement update covers Prohibited and Restricted Airspace. The twentieth in the Airspace & Safety Initiative series of narratives focusing on identified infringement hot-spots has been written by the airspace sponsors involved in the establishment of permanent and temporary prohibited and restricted airspace.

Supplementary Instruction (SI) 2020/06 to CAP 797 was published on 28 July 2020, effective 3 December 2020. A review of wake turbulence arrangements at AFIS aerodromes identified opportunities to reduce complexity and improve the quality of the guidance. This SI details changes made to the CAP 797 relating to warnings of wake turbulence provided by […]

Policy for Permanently Established Danger Areas and Temporary Danger Areas was published on 21 July 2020 and replaces ‘DAP Policy: SARG Danger Areas’. This updated policy includes requirements for the establishment, notification and activation of permanent danger areas (DA) and temporary danger areas (TDA). 

A new edition of CAP 746, which contains the requirements for meteorological observations at aerodromes, has been published. The main changes to its content are: > Changes resulting from the introduction of Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2017/373> Additional information concerning AUTO METAR> Addition of guidance on achieving Basic Meteorological Observing competency.

The latest infringement update is focused on preventing infringements of Farnborough Controlled Airspace in the vicinity of Blackbushe Airport. It has been written by the team at Blackbushe Airport, Farnborough Air Traffic Service Unit and members of the Wessex Local Airspace Infringement Team.

Supplementary Instruction (SI) 2020/05 to CAP 797 Flight Information Service Officer (FISO) Manual Edition 3 was published on 16 July 2020, effective 14 September 2020. This SI details changes made to the FISO Manual (CAP 797), relating to a FISOs authority to permit the movement of aircrafton the manoeuvring area of an uncontrolled aerodrome.

Supplementary Instruction (SI) 02/2020 to CAP 413 Radiotelephony Manual ED 23 (Corr) was published on 14 July 2020, effective 10 September 2020. The advent of performance-based navigation (PBN) is having a major impact on all aspects of the aviation industry, with PBN routes and procedures being introduced more widely. As part of a continuing effort to […]

Supplementary Instruction (SI) 2020/04 to CAP 797 Flight Information Service Officer (FISO) Manual Edition 3 was published on 14 July 2020, effective 10 September 2020. ICAO has introduced measures to align the performance-based navigation (PBN) procedure approach chart identification with the designation of the navigation specification, transitioning from the RNAV(GNSS) Runway XX naming convention, to […]

CAP 779 Regulation of aeronautical information services has been revised to reflect current regulatory references and to highlight the requirement for Management Systems, Change Management Procedures and Formal Arrangements.

The CAA publishes airspace policy statements on a variety of topics; one of these details requirements and provides guidance regarding the approval of air traffic services (ATS) units (ATSUs) seeking to provide ATS within controlled airspace (CAS), where such units are not notified as the controlling authority for such airspace. The CAA’s triennial review of […]

The latest infringement update has been written by the team at Southend Airport Air Traffic Control and sets out tips for avoiding Controlled Airspace infringements at Southend,

The Manual of Air Traffic Services (MATS) Part 1 (CAP 493) has been published as Edition 8, which will become effective on 31 July 2020.  The MATS Pt 1 is available from www.caa.co.uk/cap493 SW2020/137

On 1 December 2020 the CAA will introduce a new procedure to review and, where appropriate, amend the classification of airspace. The classification determines the flight rules that apply in that airspace and the procedures that must be followed. Give us your views on a draft of this new procedure by visiting our consultation website […]

The CAA recognises the enormous impact that the COVID-19 pandemic is having on the aviation and aerospace industries. For this reason, we delayed the increase to our scheme of charges for an initial period of three months, to 30 June 2020. Having reviewed this decision in light of the ongoing challenges faced by the sector, […]

This infringement update is the seventeenth in a series of narratives focusing on helping pilots avoid airspace infringements in the UK. It has been written by a number of industry partners to help pilots understand NOTAM relating to the deactivation of controlled airspace.

Supplementary Instruction (SI) 2020/03 to CAP 797 was published on 9 June 2020 and will become effective on 8 July 2020. This SI details changes made to the Flight Information Service Officer Manual (CAP 797) Edition 3, to update Chapter 21 Aeronautical Information Service and Appendix D Directory.

A new edition of CAP413 has been published today (8 June 2020) with an effective date of 17 August 2020. Edition 23 Corr (dated 8 June 2020), replaces Edition 23 (published 9 April 2020) in its entirety. www.caa.co.uk/CAP413

While we understand that many pilots are currently unable to fly due to COVID-19 restrictions we aim to continue to release safety education and awareness material to support the GA community with the future return to flying and continue to help promote longer-term safety awareness. To meet that aim we are continuing to publish information […]

The contact telephone number for Airspace Regulation Operations (AR Ops) and Airspace Regulation (Utilisation) (AR(U)) has changed to 01293 983 880. AR Ops and AR(U) can be contacted for the purposes of, but not limited to, notification and coordination of Unusual Aerial Activity and promulgation of NOTAMs. See UK AIP ENR 1 for references to […]

We are constantly looking at ways to support the aviation sector in these unprecedented times. Our funding principles are underpinned by statute and legal obligation so we have not been able to waive any charges and are still required to issue invoices. But we are now able offer a payment plan to cover 2020/2021 annual […]