Time for an update…
You may recall that last August, ACOG announced an overhaul of UK airspace as systems had been in place since the 1950s. So, now let’s take a look at how the work is progressing and what we can expect from this exercise.
NATS handles 2.5 million flights per year. This includes domestic, short and long-haul for UK airlines. There’s also the need to process flights that are in UK airspace en route to their destination. Some controllers could be directing up to 10 flights an hour and overseeing up to 50 in the same period.
On 29 January, ACOG opened their first consultation, the Scotland Public Engagement Programme. In developing the masterplan, they must engage with stakeholders to communicate its approach to coordinating the airspace change proposals (ACPs) which are needed to deliver airspace modernisation. The masterplan for the proposed changes in the Scottish Terminal Control Area (ScTMA), includes ACPs sponsored by NATS En route Limited (NERL), Glasgow Airport and Edinburgh Airport. The public engagement process does not include any detailed information for new airspace structures or new route designs. Formal consultations will be conducted later in the process to deliver results of both positive and negative rigorous appraisals. Public consultation closes on 19 March, details of how to submit comments are contained in the ACOG webpage for Airspace Change Masterplan (Iteration 3) Scotland: Public Engagement Exercise.
It's worth noting that the public consultation will be online only, with no local presentations for interested parties. There’s a newsletter available by e-mail which will provide progress reports.
Staying with a political theme this week. Airliner World has recently engaged the services of Jonathan Hinkles, CEO of Loganair. Each month, he highlights areas of the UK aviation industry that he considers is in need of re-evaluation. Of course, top of the list is pilot shortages due to either retirements, advantageous career opportunities or just the cost implications of pilot training. The UK adds a “luxury tax” of 20% VAT to all pilot training. In the few European countries who do the same, pilots are able to claim this additional cost back on completion of training. If you want to be a doctor or lawyer, then you can apply for a student loan before embarking on your further education. He even suggests applying for an obscure degree course, to obtain a student loan, which can then be repaid. The Secretary of State for Transport admitted that the Treasury would like this plan, as there was more chance of a pilot paying back their student loan! More lobbying at last year’s Autumn Statement failed to bring any change so the fight goes on. Regardless of their own personal financial standing, pilot training should be open to everyone…
Live ATC - why when we have scanners in this country, is it illegal to listen to transmissions on the internet? Apparently, the only good reason the UK Government can give is national security. So, if that were true, why does USA not have any problem with these broadcasts. Another topic for lobbying.....
Finally…
China Eastern – must be the worst kept secret ever. From 28 June, 3xweekly PVG-MAN, 777W.
Information courtesy of ACOG, Airliner World, SPD Travels
Images courtesy of ACOG, Press and Journal
©TPSC and Poshgirl