Tailored news, notifications & alertsfrom the CAA

The CAA has updated its Safety Policy and Legislation tracker to include its Opinions to the Department for Transport on two further packages of changes to Aviation safety law. The Department for Transport has accepted these Opinions and is taking the steps necessary to implement changes to the relevant regulations via an upcoming Statutory Instrument. […]

The CAA has published a revised package of acceptable means of compliance (AMC) and guidance material (GM) to UK Reg (EU) No 923/2012 the Standardised European Rules of the Air (SERA). The AMC and GM package can be found on the UK Regulations website and incorporates the recent amendment to the AMC and GM to […]

The CAA has published a comment on EASA Notice of Proposed Amendment NPA 2021-08, ‘Enhanced mobility options and streamlined qualifications for air traffic controllers’.   Read our response to the NPA 2021-08: CAA comments on NPA 2021-08. Read NPA 2021-08 on the EASA website SW2021/275

The UK Airprox Board’s new annual report offers an historic overview of cases followed by a detailed breakdown of Airprox by sector, risk, altitude and airspace. Understanding Airprox and the factors behind them is a key step towards mitigating against mid-air collision and UKAB’s sole purpose is to share its work far and wide to […]

London Luton Airport have produced a VFR Operating Pack which is now available on the Airspace & Safety Initiative website. This comprehensive guide includes pre-flight checklist, frequency reference cards, visual reference point details, arrival procedures and information on radio transmissions. “Great presentation, very informative with loads of reminders, and gotchas to look out for and […]

The purpose of this Supplementary Instruction (SI) is to update extant text concerning GPWS and to change reference from GPWS to TAWS.  To review this SI click here.

Regulation UK (EU) 2017/373 ATS.OR.305 details the responsibilities of ATC service providers on the problematic use of psychoactive substances by air traffic controllers. UK guidance material on this subject is provided within Official Record Series 9 (ORS9) Decision 7. ATC ANSPs are to review their compliance with Regulation UK (EU) 2017/373 ATS.OR.305 using the GM […]

Infringement narrative: RAF Syerston ATZ This Airspace and Safety Initiative latest update is the 30th in a series of narratives focusing on identified infringement ‘hot-spots’ in the UK. It has been written by the Aerodrome Controlling Authority at RAF Syerston and members of the CAA’s Airspace Infringement Team. Read Preventing infringements of the RAF Syerston […]

The CAA has published information on the requirements and use of units of measurement in civil aviation air and ground operations in the UK. CAP 2264 complements and gives additional guidance to that contained in the UK Units of Measurement Regulation (1986) as amended. Please see CAP 2264 – Units of measurement in civil aviation […]

Today the CAA has published a Decision amending the Acceptable Means of Compliance and Guidance Material to the Standardised European Rules of the Air on flight in excess of the airspace speed limit. We have also published a minor revision to CAP632: Operation of Permit-to-Fly Ex-Military aircraft on the UK register to reflect this, summarising […]

The SRG 1430 form and its attach guidance notes are amended to: Reference UK regulations. Allow Interoperability documents related to a notified change to be provided post notification when any impact is determined. Allow more flexibility on the development of cyber risk assessments at the time of change notification and provide e mail address for […]

After considering feedback, from today (20 September) any SkyWise alerts for temporary restricted airspace will only be sent to the category ‘Airspace alerts’. Any restrictions including the use of drones will also be sent to the category ‘drones’. To continue receiving these alerts, please ensure that you are subscribed to the ‘Airspace Alerts’ and/or ‘Drones’ […]

GAsCo Regional Safety Officers provide information on how to avoid having an airspace infringement on Monday 20 September at 19:00. An hour and a half of information, tips, suggestions and quizzes. A perfect refresher to prepare for when COVID-19 restrictions can be lifted. Register now for free: Airspace Infringement Avoidance Webinar Join Matt Lane, recent […]

A Pilots guide to the Manchester Low Level Route (LLR) has been published on the Airspace & Safety Initiative website. Read Pilots Guide to the Manchester Low Level Route (LLR) SW2021/248

GA FEEDBACK 89 includes a number of topics that will have relevance to the GA community as we return to flying over the summer period.  Having suffered from an extended period of not flying due to COVID-19 restrictions, the key messages are to take care to follow procedures and check lists properly, beware task-fixation and […]

Drone/UAS FEEDBACK – Edition 2. As many of you will know, CHIRP is developing a confidential reporting programme for Human Factors “HF” and Just Culture occurrences arising from the operation of Drones, UAS or Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS). The aim is for what are, in some cases, relatively new members to the world of […]

The Manchester Low-level Route (LLR) procedures in the UK AIP at EGCC AD 2.22.7 are being revised effective with AIRAC 9/2021 on 9 September 2021 so the Northwest LAIT has updated narrative number 2 to help pilots understand the changes and requirements of the LLR use. SW2021/235

The CAA has published ORS9 CAA Decisions to promulgate new and revised AMC and GM to Annex Annex I ‘Definitions’ and Annex IV ‘Part-ATS’ to the (UK) ATM/ANS IR. The new AMC and GM relate to ATS.OR.305 ‘Responsibilities of air traffic control service providers with regard to the problematic use of psychoactive substances by air […]

Version 4.0 of the policy for the approval of remote air traffic services expands on previous policy to include the evolution of the concept into Multiple mode of operation and provision of remote aerodrome ATS from multiple aerodromes both sequentially and simultaneously.  It also includes technical updates in Appendix B and ATC training requirements in […]

The Airspace & Safety Initiative’s latest hot-spot narrative looks at preventing airspace infringements in the vicinity of Edinburgh Airport. It includes details on how using the Frequency Monitoring Code can be of great benefit to pilots and controllers as well as other tips to avoid infringements. Read more airspacesafety.com/hot-spot-narratives/ SW2021/219

The CAA has published the process that will be used in developing aviation policy and legislation in the UK. The process involves coordinated activity between the CAA and the DfT and will be used in the development of aviation legislation, certification specifications and other detailed specifications, acceptable means of compliance and guidance material. Information about […]

Pre-flight planning guidance Pre-flight planning in a low-stress environment helps produce a safe strategy for the flight and reduces workload once airborne. Collaborative decision-making with ATC, weather services, and other pilots also helps size things up. The Airspace Infringement Working Group’s guidance, covering key aspects of successful pre-flight preparation and planning, is available on the […]

As part of the Airspace Classification Review procedure, the UK Civil Aviation Authority has published a report that provides a factual overview of the intelligence we have gathered to date on the Cotswold Region and are now inviting those stakeholders familiar with this region to provide feedback on our initial findings through an online survey […]

NATS will replace the AIS IBS with a new system on Thursday, 12th August 2021. The new system provides an improved user interface and enhanced functionality – Full details of changes are available via the NATS news item at www.nats.aero/ais including a new User Manual. Note: Users with existing Pre-flight Information Bulletin (PIB) accounts will […]

The Airspace & Safety Initiative‘s latest occurrence narrative looks at an infringement of Stansted Control Area 2 with a comprehensive pilot report, causal factors and analysis. Read Infringement of the Class D Stansted Control Area 2 (CTA-2)

Airspace Infringements: review and actions (CAP1404) has been amended to highlight the CAA’s audit and safety assurance functions of the Infringement Co-ordination Group (ICG), and introduces the option for those provisionally suspended by the CAP1404 process to request a review of that decision. These changes take effect from publication of this amendment to CAP1404 on […]

CAP 1430 – UK Air Traffic Management Vocabulary Edition 3 is now available at www.caa.co.uk/cap1430 The effective date is 28 September 2021.

This SkyWise is to advise that The Air Navigation (Amendment) Order 2021 (SI 2021 No. 879) will come into force on 19 August 2021, except for the en-route obstacles provisions which will enter into force on 6 September 2021. For full details see The Air Navigation (Amendment) Order 2021 (SI 2021 No. 879) which identifies […]

Restriction of Flying Regulations for Duxford Summer Airshow at Duxford Aerodrome, Cambridgeshire on 23,24 and 25 July 2021. Details by NOTAM and in AIC M052/2021 at www.nats.aero/ais. Restrictions also apply to the operation of all drones. SW2021/172

The Airspace & Safety Initiative has updated the Farnborough hot-spot narrative: Read: Preventing airspace infringements in the vicinity of Farnborough Controlled Airspace Infringement avoidance Monday 19 July (1900 – 2030 hours) Places available for GASCo’s July webinar on how to avoid an airspace infringement. Register online: Airspace Infringement Avoidance Webinars (gasco.org.uk)

The Air Traffic Services (ATS) licensing application forms have been updated with a host of improvements and to provide greater guidance for applicants. Following a four-week transition period, the latest versions must be used from 09 August 2021; older forms submitted after this date will be rejected. The following forms have been amended and published […]

The CAA has published CAP 1781 and CAP 1781b as guidance in support of how airports might mitigate the effect of the removal of conventional navigation aids from December 2022. From this date, NATS plan to commence decommissioning of DVOR, DME and NDB sites. The two CAPs offer the use of RNAV Substitution as one […]

The latest infringement occurrence narrative from the Airspace & Safety Initiative looks at an infringement of the Newcastle Control Area (CTA). It includes air traffic control and pilot perspectives, causal and human factors and threat and error management analysis – as well as links to pre-flight planning resources. Read Infringement of the Class D Newcastle […]

The Radio Operators Certificate of Competence (ROCC) certificate has been updated to include the Wireless Telegraphy Act 2006 and Ofcom requirements. Previously issued ROCC certificates will remain valid and holders do not require re-issue of this certificate unless it has been lost, (for which a fee will be incurred). There will be new procedures coming […]

Restriction of Flying Regulations for Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championships daily from 26 June to 13 July 2021. Details by NOTAM and in AIC M036/2021 at www.nats-uk.ead-it.com. Restrictions also apply to the operation of all drones SW2021/140

We have published a new edition of CAP 1721 Alternative Means of Compliance.  The Revision history highlights the changes.

Added guidance from the Airspace Infringement Working Group covers more aspects of successful pre-flight preparation and planning: Contingency planning, UK FIS and incorporating Frequency Monitoring Codes. Read Pre-flight planning – Airspace Safety

The Luton Local Airspace Infringement Team and RAF Halton and have written a new hot-spot narrative to help prevent infringements of the RAF Halton ATZ. Read more: airspacesafety.com/hot-spot-narratives/ The Flight Hub Join Rachael Caston (head of the Airprox board) and GA pilots Matt Lane and Ellie Carter for an online panel discussion on Wednesday 16 […]

The latest infringement occurrence narrative from the Airspace and Safety Initiative covers an infringement of the London City Control Area (CTA) with air traffic control and pilot perspectives, findings and casual factor analysis. Read Infringement of the Class D London City Control Area (CTA) The next GASCo Airspace Infringement Avoidance webinar will be on Monday […]

Today, 1 June 2021 marks the launch of a 1-year trial of ‘VHF LL Common’ an information service on the VHF Frequency 130.490. The aim is to reduce the risk of Mid-Air Collision between aircraft operating at or below 2000’ Above Ground Level. It is available for use by all aircrew, military and civilian, operating […]

An update to CAP670 COM02.19 is introduced to draw a distinction between a delayed renewal of a Wireless Telegraphy Act radio licence and a formal revocation of the licence by Ofcom. SW 2021/115

On 18 February 2021, the CAA issued Supplementary Instructions (SIs) to the MATS Part 1 (CAP 493), the FISO Manual (CAP 797) and the Radiotelephony Manual (CAP 413) relating to the implementation of ICAO’s Global Reporting Format methodology for assessing and reporting surface conditions on the aerodrome movement area. Industry feedback on these SIs has […]

There will be a GASCo Airspace Infringement Avoidance Webinar on Monday 24th May 2021 at 19:00. Register for this free 90 minute webinar online: Webinar Registration The Airspace & Safety Initiative’s latest hot-spot narrative looks at preventing airspace infringements in the vicinity of the Channel Islands Control Zone – includes VRP details, standard routes and […]

The VMC visibility and distance from cloud minima in class D airspace change today (20 May 2021). Further detail is contained in AIP ENR 1.2 and ENR 1.4 (published in AIRAC 05/2021) and, for ATS providers, within Supplementary Instructions to the MATS Part 1 (CAP 493) and the FISO Manual (CAP 797). The change to […]

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/

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.