Class D airspace

[dentman]

Anyone out there who belongs to a model club that flys within' class D 'airspace ? Our local airport is soon to extend its controlled ( class D ) airspace by some considerable distance , not a problem normally but unfortunately for us it captures 3 rc model clubs within its new boundary .

[Disc]

Do you have planning permission ?

if yes it may help you out....


Class D Airspace
Class D airspace, also known as Delta airspace, is the airspace from the surface up to 2,500 feet above the airport. Class D airspace surrounds an airport that has a control tower that is not Class B or C. These airports are usually for general aviation aircraft. To fly into the Class D airspace, you must establish two-way communications with the control tower. A transponder is not required.


Maybe the Clubs should get together all 3 and try to arrange to meet the Airports ATC and explain where you are detailed on a map
and the exact type of flying you do, so if its a heli club fine a heli doesn't generally fly at 400ft

But a Glider club they really need to know because you'll reach 400ft and pass it in no time and that might not be what they want to hear!!

So maybe best to get the 3 clubs together and work as a team try talking to the Airport 1st maybe...

Or have you approached the BMFA ??

[Zeeflyboy]

If your models are sub 7Kg I don't believe it should actually really affect you...

[dentman]

Yes they have planning permission, two of the clubs are talking to SATCO and the bmfa, I was hoping someone out there flys at at club whos flying site falls within class D airspace and I could get him/ her to talk with one of my chairmen to help them work out a solution to this potential problem. They ( my clubs) believe any model over 7kg needs permission to fly from 'the tower' before take off , that clearly isn't practical on a daily basis. We have some large scale helis which won't break the 400ft ceiling but also some turbine aircraft that very quickly will, and lots of old boys who tend to fly up there with the clouds!!

[unwind-protect]

They ( my clubs) believe any model over 7kg needs permission to fly from 'the tower' before take off , that clearly isn't practical on a daily basis.

I'm pretty sure "they" are right. On the plus side, with ATC approval you can exceed that 400ft limit!

This isn't Norwich by any chance, is it?

[bikerflier]

We fly in B'Ham airport airspace. They know we are there and we are on their 6 monthly training update to their controllers.
Only on that because we had the air traffic police come around and close us down one Sunday because a pilot reported a Hercules flying below him. 4 engined 12 foot wingspan job , but how the hell the pilot saw it heaven knows, bloody good eyesight.
They hadn't kept their records and training up to date so traffic control had forgotten we were there.

Each individual member who wants to fly anything over 7Kg has to write to controller for permission to fly, always been granted so far.
Don't see you should have a problem but get BMFA involved for advice.

[dentman]

I'm just a member whos keen to abide by the rules/ law , I believe my clubs have now arranged a meeting with ATC ( yes Norwich ) in early January to resolve this issue. Thank you Stuart for your pm, I will pass on the supplied details.

[moyesboy]

That Norwich airspace is a trevesty. Its miles bigger than they need for their registered air movements.

Soon I think they will realise that having too much airspace is more trouble for them than its worth as they end up with 100s of letters of agreement to work with becuase of the unecessary area they included (such as yours).

I believe Robin Hood (Doncaster) has several hundred letters of agreement to keep up to date, one of which is a complex one with Derbyshire Soaring Club (my hang gliding club).

Because these small airports have grabbed loads of airspace for little reason, they are happy to have loads of letters of agreement. But their ambitions to become more busy could mean they are not renewed in the future.

It is illegal to operate a model over 7kg above 400ft UNLESS you have in the controlled airspace AND you have a letter of agreement with the airport. So in terms of your +7kg models flying legally, the controlled airspace is a good thing (if you do get the letter of agrement). The reason for this is that in theory all the aircraft flying in the CatD should be aware that you may be operating models over 7kg at your location. Outside the CatD area there is no way to inform passing aircraft that you are there - they don't have to carry radios and can go wherever they like.

The 7kg limit is a bit naff, becuase there is no restriction on a 6kg model that flies at 250mph, but a 7kg model at 25mph is illegal. There should be a mass x speed momentum calc as that is what the risk is related to.

A long time ago a friend of mine on a hang glider was killed in a collision with an R/C model glider at Devils Dyke, the model weighed less than 7kg.

[dentman]

All clubs which fall within the new controlled AirSpace around Norwich airport now are in possession of a documentation from SATCO granting them permission to continue flying .