FIA 2022 - Blackbushe Procedures
The Farnborough International Airshow (FIA) 2022 is next week. With it comes some Temporary Restricted Airspace or RA(T) which has some impact on the way we operate at Blackbushe.
THE AIRSPACE
Farnborough have produced this handy awareness PDF which highlights the airspace that will be in place from 11th-24th July 2022.
This divides it into two sections they have called “Normal RA(T)” and “Display RA(T)”.
NORMAL RA(T)
This takes a similar form to the usual Farnborough CTR and CTAs which are in place all year round. Notable is that the airspace extends further south, and that the base of CTA 7 is lowered to 2,500ft AMSL. All of the Normal areas extend up to 5,500ft AMSL.
The Normal RA(T) will in place at all times when there is not display activity.
During Normal RA(T) times Blackbushe operations will continue as normal. However, note that due to the increased traffic expected within the RA(T), VFR transits may not always be possible, and so pilots are asked to route around the airspace where possible, in order that those VFR aircraft who can’t avoid the airspace are able to access it without delay.
DISPLAY RA(T)
The notable difference here is that the entire of the Blackbushe ATZ and some of the Class G airspace around us now falls within Area 1 of the Display RA(T), which is active SFC-5,500ft AMSL.
DISPLAY RA(T) PROCEDURES
Display RA(T) will be restricted to a couple of hours per day. See the schedule below.
During Display RA(T), the following apply:
Minimum PIC qualification PPL with FRTOL. No student solos during these periods.
Circuit traffic to remain within the LFA and not above 800ft aal.
All aircraft to remain north of the M3 motorway.
Aircraft departing / arriving into Blackbushe VFR may only do so not above 1,500ft amsl through a sector to the North West bounded by the following points:
Star Hill 511904N 0005304W
Bramshill Police College 512135N 0005716W
Wokingham Railway Station 512443N 0005034W
Cricket Hill/A30 Roundabout 511924N 0004931W
DEPARTING AIRCRAFT:
Turn right from Runway 25 as soon as possible, and contact Farnborough Radar as soon as possible after take-off
Turn right from Runway 07, remain within the LFA not above 800ft aal, depart overhead the airfield and do not climb above 800ft aal until outside the LFA. Contact Farnborough Radar as soon as possible.
VFR Transits to the south will be unavailable. Aircraft shall depart to the north in the above sector, and once in contact with Farnborough, request any airspace access they may need.
ARRIVING AIRCRAFT:
Contact Farnborough Radar before entering the Display RA(T) and only switch to Blackbushe once advised.
Remain below 1,500ft amsl within the RA(T), and below 800ft in the Blackbushe circuit.
Follow normal deadside join procedures.
ATS ROUTE NETWORK ARRIVALS / DEPARTURES DURING AIRSHOW PERIODS
During the Airshow period there will be times when the ATS Route Network is not available for arriving aircraft using a Farnborough STAR. These times will be promulgated and it is advised that operators should consider using alternative routings / times to avoid interaction with the airshow RA(T).
It is likely that UKFMP will impose flow regulations on the Farnborough Wessex Group (of which Blackbushe is a part) to ensure a safe delivery of traffic.
ATS Route Network departures will be handled in accordance with current procedures, however, delays are to be expected during Display Periods.
BLACKBUSHE CEASE OPERATIONS
Blackbushe will be instructed to cease operations for a Red Arrows display (notified by NOTAM). Blackbushe may be instructed to cease operations as a result of a request from a display pilot, the Chairman of the Flying Control Committee, or NATS General Manager or for any other operational need.
SCHEDULE FOR DISPLAY RA(T)
PRACTICE WEEK (ALL TIMES UTC)
MONDAY 11 JULY: 1030-1100; 1130-1200; 1400-1615
TUESDAY 12 JULY: 1015-1100; 1315-1430; 1500-1645
WEDNESDAY 13 JULY: 0930-1100; 1215-1300; 1345-1500
THURSDAY 14 JULY: 0930-1100; 1215-1515
FRIDAY 15 JULY: 0915-1000; 1300-1330; 1400-1545; 1615-1715
WEEKEND BACKUPS (WILL ONLY BE USED IF VALIDATION NOT COMPLETED EARLIER IN WEEK):
SATURDAY 16 JULY: 1200-1300; 1430-1530; 1600-1715
SUNDAY 17 JULY: 1015-1100; 1300-1400; 1500-1600
AIRSHOW WEEK
MONDAY 18 JULY: 1230-1515
TUE 19 - THU 21 JULY: 1315-1600
FRIDAY 22 JULY: 1130-1515
Note: We’re aware that some of the times above differ from those published in the AIC. The times we have published above have come from NATS Farnborough and reflect the flying that is planned. We’ve highlighted the difference from the AIC to NATS.