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Electronic Conspicuity
This project aims to assist pilots mitigate against the risk of mid-air collision and avoid infringing controlled airspace by improving the electronic conspicuity of VFR aircraft.
Airspace4All will continue the work undertaken as FASVIG to contribute to the development of Electronic Conspicuity in the UK, including participation in the CAA’s Electronic Conspicuity Working Group.
One specific element of this project is an ADS-B trial to demonstrate the possibilities for small GA-oriented airfields to improve situational awareness for ATS staff and pilots. This trial may incorporate or collaborate with elements of other planned or concurrent trials elsewhere in the UK to help design the blueprint for wider UK adoption.
Flexible Use of (Lower) Airspace Policy
In coordination with other stakeholders to develop a Flexible Use of Airspace (FUA) policy for lower airspace to improve VFR efficiency, reduce airspace infringements and make all sectors of aviation more sustainable.
Future ATM Concepts and Airspace Design
To collaborate on future ATM concepts and airspace design to enable VFR efficiency and exploit developments in the wider ATM environment to offer much improved and efficient operations for all airspace users. UK airspace design, largely unchanged for over 40 years, hinders these objectives. Air traffic integration, rather than segregation, is just one example of the possibilities within reach of Airspace Modernisation stakeholders. The introduction of Part ATS presents an opportunity to improve the efficiency of the UK FIR.
Integrating All Air Traffic Types Within Regulated Airspace, Safely and Predictably
In concert with NATS and the CAA, Airspace4All Ltd will research, gather data and recommend key changes that will modernise the UK airspace construct and enable integration of VFR flights into the ATM environment. The use of VFR flight plans and data sharing between ATSUs would reduce controller time and effort, provide clearer predictability of VFR traffic demand, improve network capability and reduce pilot workload.
Regularising Access to Controlled and Regulated Airspace
Along with the CAA and NATS, Airspace4All Ltd will identify best practices used in other states to regulate access to CAS and Regulated Airspace and make recommendations as to how selected best practice could improve future VFR access. Many other states structure and manage their airspace in different ways to the UK but most achieve balanced integration for all aviation sectors. Whilst some practices may not be relevant to the UK there is much to be learnt; but there is a culture within UK aviation and regulation that its airspace is superior, that more airspace regulation is better and there is strong corporate resistance to such change. This workstream addresses these issues and paves the way for change.
Communications & Engagement
Airspace4All will remain engaged with stakeholder groups across both the GA and commercial aviation sectors throughout the programme of work. This will enable the development of a connected community in order to ensure that everyone has an opportunity for their views to be heard.