CAA SkyWise of Aerodrome Safety
Notification of Jamming Trial RAF Spadeadam, 15 – 19 and 22 – 26 April 2024
Activity impacting GNSS and licence exempt frequencies will take place between the times and dates specified in Enduring Look Series Briefing Sheet. Please refer to the Briefing Sheet for initial information.
During the trials impacted systems utilising GNSS and licence exempt frequencies used for RPAS control and some electronic situational awareness devices may suffer intermittent or total failure. An associated NOTAM has been raised.
For further information or feedback contact [email protected]
Emergency cease jamming contact:
Range Management Officer via Spadeadam Range Controller – 016977 47321 Ext 6386, 6375 or 6388
Guard Frequency – 121.500MHz, to be monitored by Spadeadam Ops throughout jamming trials
Posted: April 2024
Standards for Helicopter Landing Areas at Hospitals
A new edition of CAP1264 ‘Standards for Helicopter Landing Areas at Hospitals’ has been published.
As well as setting out detailed design requirements for hospital heliports, it also provides guidance on their operation and management, covering approach and departure paths, obstacle clearance, lighting, signage, and communication protocols.
Dated: March 2024
Update to Safety Notice 2015/007
SN 2015/007 – Use of Government/Military Aerodromes by Civil Aircraft Operators.
This SN has been reissued to provide operators and pilots utilising Government or Military Aerodromes with updated guidance regarding the additional factors that may need to be considered when contemplating such operations.
Dated: March 2024
Amendment to UK Regulation (EU) 139/2014
Revision of the rule related to the operation of higher code letter aircraft and the establishment of criteria for pavement overload operations.
The purpose of the consultation is to gain feedback from industry and the wider public on the proposed amendments to the Aerodromes Regulations to reflect the CAA’s previous work with ICAO.
We invite stakeholder to give us their views, responses are requested by 31 March 2024.
Dated: February 2024
Publication of CAP 700 Edition 3
The CAA has published CAP700 Edition 3.
The guidance contained the CAP is suitable for use by both certificated and licensed aerodromes
Dated: February 2024
Vertiport Design Proposal for Existing Aerodromes
The CAA are consulting on aerodrome design where vertiports or areas for VTOL aircraft operations differ from that of traditional aerodromes. Comments from this consultation will inform our final design proposals that will form the requirements to supplement:
UK Reg (EU) No 139/2014 for certified aerodromes
CAP 168: Licensing of Aerodromes for licensed aerodromes
best practises for vertiport implementation at unlicensed aerodromes
The CAA defines a vertiport as a type of aerodrome or operating site that is used or intended to be used for the arrival, departure, and surface movement of VTOL aircraft.
We invite stakeholders to give us your views, responses are requested by 15 March 2024.
Dated: January 2024
Aerodromes and Air Traffic Services – Winter Operations
As planning for winter operations is well underway across the UK, Aerodromes and Air Traffic service providers (ATSP) are reminded that, in addition to Aerodrome Certification and licencing requirements within UK (EU) 139/2014 and CAP168, ICAO Doc. 4444 (procedures for Air Navigation Services) contains the requirements for the control of aerodrome traffic in conditions of low visibility.
These requirements are not included in CAP493 or UK (EU) 2017/373 and ATSP are therefore requested, in conjunction with the Aerodrome Operator, to review existing procedures against the requirements in ICAO doc.4444 paragraph 7.12 and where amendments are deemed necessary submit those changes for approval, to the CAA in accordance with UK (EU) 139/2014 ADR.OPS. B.045 and UK (EU) 2017/373 ATM/ANS.OR.A.045
Further guidance is offered in ICAO Doc. 9426 (Air Traffic Services Planning Manual) and ICAO Doc. 9365 (All-Weather Operations Manual).
Dated: November 2023
Pavement bearing strength Aircraft Classification Rating (ACR) / Pavement Classification Rating (PCR)
Guidance for the Aircraft Classification Rating and Pavement Classification Rating (ACR/PCR) which replaces the Aircraft Classification Number and the Pavement Classification Number (ACN /PCN) as of 28th November 2024 can be located in CAP168, Chapter 3, Movement area bearing strength. The guidance is suitable for licensed and certificated aerodromes. The reason for the early notification is to enable aerodromes to prepare and to participate in essential training to support the change.
Further guidance is provided in the ICAO Aerodrome Design Manual (Doc 9157), Part 3
ICAO pavement bearing strength training can be accessed by the following link.
Dated: October 2023
July UKAB INSIGHT newsletter
The July edition of INSIGHT looks at an Airprox involving two GA aircraft whose pilots were both arriving at the same airfield from different directions.
The article discusses considerations for planning an arrival at an airfield and provides some things to think about during the planning stages and also in-flight.
The newsletter is available from the UK Airprox Board website
Dated: September 2023
New edition of CAP 746
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:
Minor editorial amendments
Regulatory reference updates as a result of UK withdrawal from the EU.
Removal of the requirement to provide runway state details in METARs as a result of the implementation of the Global Reporting Format. The terms “backup” and “contingency” are used within various CAPs and generally have the same meaning. In CAP746 the term “backup” has been replaced by the term “contingency” for consistency.
Dated: August 2023
Notification of Jamming Trial
RAF Spadeadam, 1 – 4 August 2023.
Activity impacting GNSS and licence exempt frequencies will take place around RAF Spadeadam impacting RPAS and electronic situational awareness devices.
Jammers located within 5NM of 550306N 0023318W. Activity 0900-1800UTC daily, as notified by NOTAM on the NATS AIS website.
Impacted frequencies and further information can be found detailed in the Enduring Look Series Briefing sheet. Please read the briefing sheet.
During the trials impacted systems utilising GNSS and licence exempt frequencies used for RPAS control and some electronic situational awareness devices may suffer intermittent or total failure.
For further information or feedback contact [email protected]
Emergency cease jamming contact:
Range Management Officer via Spadeadam Range Controller – 016977 47321 Ext 6386, 6375 or 6388
Guard Frequency – 121.500MHz, to be monitored by Spadeadam Ops throughout jamming trials
Dated: July 2023
Notification of Jamming Trial
RAF Spadeadam, 24-26 July & 31 July – 4 August 2023
Activity impacting licence exempt frequencies will take place around RAF Spadeadam impacting RPAS and electronic situational awareness devices.
Jammers located within 5NM of 550300N 0023500W. Activity 0800-1600UTC daily, as notified by NOTAM.
Impacted frequencies in 433MHz, 915MHz, 2.4GHz and 5.8GHz bands. Impact up to 27NM at an altitude of 400ft AGL.
During the trials impacted systems utilising licence exempt frequencies used for RPAS control and some electronic situational awareness devices may suffer intermittent or total failure.
For further information or feedback contact [email protected]
Emergency cease jamming contact: Electronic Warfare Threat Director (Civil): 016977 49487 / 49486 / 49488.
Dated: July 2023
SNOWTAM AFTN Address Change
From 5 October 2023 the UK NOTAM Office (NOF) will take on the role of processing SNOWTAM proposals.
From this date SNOWTAM messages will need to be submitted using a strict format for automatic processing via AFTN using the new address: EUECYIYP.
This change of address may need software to be changed so work may need to be scheduled so the new address is in place for 5 October 2023.
Questions regarding this change can be directed to [email protected]
More details are available in AIC Y066/23
Dated: July 2023
Removal of email submissions for NOTAM proposals
Please be advised, with effect from 10 Aug 23, NOTAM Proposals via email will no longer be accepted by the UK NOF.
In support of this, NATS will make available its AFTN NOTAM functionality for free, for all users. This facility will be available via AFPEX June 15th:
www.myafpex.co.uk
Apply for an AFPEX account here:
https://ts1.flightplanningonline.co.uk/applyingForAnAccount.html
AFPEX Help/Guides are available here:
www.myafpex.co.uk/guides/notam.php
Further details are available in AIC Y039/23.
Dated: May 2023
CAA launch webpages for Aerodrome Safeguarding
Information is now available on the CAA website from CAST (the Combined Aerodrome Safeguarding Team) for UK aerodromes involved with CAP 738 Aerodrome Safeguarding.
Dedicated webpages are now available which provide guidance, learning, best practice information and articles on current ‘hot topics’. The aim of the new webpages is to ensure aerodromes are creating a robust safeguarding process in conjunction with their local planning authority. For more information on safeguarding please contact: [email protected]
Dated: December 2022
Notification of Jamming Trial MOD West Freugh, 7 November – 2 December 2022
Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) and licence exempt frequency jamming, impacting Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) and electronic situational awareness devices, will affect areas around Western Scotland, Northern Ireland and Isle of Man.
Jammers located within 3 miles of 545021N 0045549W. Activity expected 0830-1600 daily, as notified by NOTAM.
GNSS (L1 & L2):
5000ft AMSL and below – Up to 7NM expected, 27NM possible but unlikely
10000-40000ft AMSL and below – Up to 7NM expected, 49NM possible but unlikely.
Licence exempt frequencies (includes 433, 868, 915, 2400 and 5800MHz):
Up to 38NM at an altitude of 400ft AGL.
For further information/feedback contact [email protected]
Emergency cease jamming: 01776 888932 / 930.
Dated: October 2022
Notification of Jamming Trial – RAF Spadeadam, 11 – 12 July
Jamming activity impacting licence exempt bands will take place between the 11th – 12th July 2022. Jammers located within 3km of 550307N 0023320W.
Activity will take place between 0800-1800 UTC on each day. Activity will affect UAS control and situational awareness devices within a radius of 15NM. Frequencies are 432-446MHz, 863-870MHz, 900-928MHz, 2300-2800MHz and 5725-5875MHz.
RPAS control and some electronic situational awareness devices may suffer intermittent or total failure. An associated NOTAM has been raised.
For further information or feedback contact [email protected]
Emergency cease jamming contact:
Trials Management Officer via Spadeadam Range Controller: 01697 747321 Ext 6386, 6375 or 6388.
Dated: July 2022
Notification of Jamming Trial – MOD West Freugh, 11 – 29 July
GNSS and licence exempt frequency jamming, impacting RPAS and electronic situational awareness devices, will affect areas around Western Scotland, Northern Ireland and Isle of Man.
Jammers located within 3 miles of 545021N 0045549W. Activity expected 0830-1600 daily, as notified by NOTAM.
GNSS (L1 & L2):
5000ft AMSL and below – Up to 7NM expected, 22NM possible but unlikely
10000-40000ft AMSL and below – Up to 7NM expected, 49NM possible but unlikely
Licence exempt frequencies (includes 433, 868, 915, 2400 and 5800MHz):
Up to 90NM at an altitude of 400ft AGL.
For further information/feedback contact [email protected]
Emergency cease jamming: 01776 888932 / 930
Dated: July 2022
Notification of Jamming Trial – Sennybridge, 23 – 27 May and 30 May – 3 June 2022
Activity impacting GNSS and licence exempt frequencies will take place between the times and dates specified in AIC P024/2022. Please refer to AIC for more information.
During the trials impacted systems utilising GNSS and licence exempt frequencies used for RPAS control and some electronic situational awareness devices may suffer intermittent or total failure.
An associated NOTAM has been raised.
For further information or feedback contact [email protected]
Emergency cease jamming contact:
Sennybridge Operations – 01874 635599
Trial Manager – 01980 951151
Dated: May 2022
Notification of Jamming Trial – RAF Spadeadam, 23 – 27 May, 13 – 17 June, 13 – 22 July, 14 – 23 September, 19 – 28 October, 16 – 25 November 2022
Activity impacting GNSS and licence exempt frequencies will take place between the times and dates specified in AIC P034/2022. Please refer to AIC for more information.
During the trials impacted systems utilising GNSS and licence exempt frequencies used for RPAS control and some electronic situational awareness devices may suffer intermittent or total failure.
An associated NOTAM has been raised.
For further information or feedback contact [email protected]
Emergency cease jamming contact:
Range Management Officer via Spadeadam Range Controller – 016977 47321 Ext 6386, 6375 or 6388
VHF Guard Frequency – 121.500MHz, to be monitored throughout jamming trials
Dated: May 2022
CAP1649 Air Traffic Safety Electronics Personnel Competence & Training – Second Issue
Following publication of amendments to Regulation EU 2017/373 Annex XIII AMC & GM, prior to the United Kingdom’s withdrawal from the European Union, CAP1649 has been re-issued to reflect these changes. No changes have been made to any Regulatory Requirements. This re-issue also provides an opportunity to update and expand on CAA guidance & recommendations following feedback from ANSPs as well as update the full document to remove references to EASA and the European Union.
CAP1649 can be downloaded from the CAA website: www.caa.co.uk/CAP1649
Dated: May 2022
Publication of UK Regulations
We have published a new set of pages on our website that contain up to date versions of UK law (Regulations and Rules) that have been retained and/or amended since the UK left the EU (and EASA).
More regulations are now included, and they are easier to search for and open. Where applicable AMC/GM/CS continues to be published alongside the Regulation to which it relates. Our Guide to CAA Publication of various pieces of UK Aviation Law explains how these pages are organised.
These new pages replace the temporary microsite which will be taken down on 29 April 2022. We will continue working to improve the way we present Regulations and Rules in the future.
Dated: May 2022
Edition 3 of CAP 738 Aerodrome Safeguarding
A new edition of CAP 738 has been published and includes information on Heliport safeguarding; information on safeguarding IFPs; the latest planning procedures and the new crane notification areas.
Dated: October 2020
Updated guidance for crane users (CAP 1096)
Update to CAP 1096 – new applicability date.
Revised CAP 1096 provides guidance to crane users on the new crane notification process and lighting and marking requirements applicable to cranes. The guidance should be considered relevant to users of all cranes exceeding a height of 10 m above ground level (AGL) or that of the surrounding structures or trees (if higher) and is being introduced in two phases:
between 1 October 2020 to 31 May 2021 applicable to parties who volunteer to take part in the formalised trial;
from 31 May 2021 applicable to all parties in the scope.
Parties interested in taking part in the trial should contact [email protected]
New guidance can be found on the CAA website.
Dated: September 2020
Guidance to crane users (CAP 1096) updated
A new edition of CAP 1096 has been published. Guidance to crane users on the crane notification process and obstacle lighting and marking (CAP 1096) provides guidance to crane users on the new crane notification process and lighting and marking requirements applicable to cranes.
The guidance is relevant to users of all cranes exceeding a height of 10 m above ground level (AGL) or that of the surrounding structures or trees (if higher).
This revised edition of CAP 1096 (August 2020) is applicable from 1 October 2020.
Dated: August 2020
New contaminated runway reporting system
On 5th November 2020 a new system of reporting runway contamination comes into force. Called the ICAO Global Reporting Format (GRF), the ICAO Aerodrome SARPs are in Annex 14, with additional guidance in the PANS Aerodromes Doc 9981 and Circular 355.
The GRF allows cross functional (Aerodromes, ATM and Flight operations) harmonisation and standardized reporting. November 2020 may seem a long way off, however aerodrome operators may wish to run parallel trials this coming winter, please let your aerodrome inspector know so that any lessons learned can be exchanged.
Dated: January 2020