Chapter 2 - Divisions of Airspace

Question 1

How is airspace around the world divided up?

Answer 1

Into FIRs - Each FIR is managed by a controlling authority responsible for providing ATS to aircraft flying within it.

Question 2

Who is the controlling authority in the UK and who provides Air Traffic Services?

Answer 2

Controlling authority = CAA

Air Traffic Services provided by NATS

Question 3

What are UK FIRs divided into?

Answer 3

Lower Airspace - Referred to as FIR

Upper Airspace - Referred to as UIR

Question 4

What are the limits of Lower Airspace (FIR)?

Answer 4

Surface to FL245

Question 5

What are the limits of Upper Airspace (UIR)?

Answer 5

FL245 to FL660

Question 6

What classes of airspace are found in the UK?

Answer 6

Class A, C, D, E, G

Question 7

What Class of airspace are most airways below FL195?

Answer 7

Class A

Question 8

What Class are the airways and airspace between FL195 and FL245?

Answer 8

Class C

Question 9

What Class are the airways and airspace found in the UIR, FL245 to FL660?

Answer 9

Class C

Question 10

What is a CTR/CTZ and what class is the airspace?

Answer 10

CTR = Control Tower Region
CTZ = Control Tower Zone

Surface to defined upper level around an aerodrome.
Class D

Question 11

What is a CTA/TMA/TCA and what class is the airspace?

Answer 11

CTA = Control Area
TMA = Terminal Manoeuvring Area
TCA = Terminal Control Area

Above an aerodrome and the CTR/CTZ between determined FL limits.
Class D

Question 12

When is a TMA or TCA established?

Answer 12

To control traffic in the vicinity of one or more major airfields (busy airspace above the area).

Question 13

What are the dimensions of an ATZ?

Answer 13

2nm radius (or 2.5nm if the runway length > 1850m)
Surface to 2000ft AAL (ABOVE AERODROME LEVEL)

Note - Therefore have to add on aerodrome elevation to your altitude if aiming to overfly whilst QNH/RPS is set

Question 14

What are the dimensions of a MATZ?

Answer 14

5nm radius
Surface to 3000ft AAL

Stubs = 5nm long, 4nm wide (2nm either side of centreline)
1000ft to 3000ft AAL (1000ft gap underneath allows the stubs to be flown under)

Question 15

What is a CMATZ?

Answer 15

Combined Military Aerodrome Traffic Zone - formed from adjacent MATZs.

Question 16

What are the three designations of Airspace Reservation?

Answer 16

Prohibited
Danger
Restricted

Question 17

What are the three statuses afforded to Airspace Reservations?

Answer 17

Permanent
Scheduled
Notified (NOTAMs)

Question 18

Where can details on airspace reservation be found?

Answer 18

UK AIP and UK LFHB
Where restrictions are only applicable to military users (e.g. Provost Marshal’s Areas), details are published in the UK MilAIP.

Question 19

What are the rules regarding prohibited areas?

Answer 19

No aircraft are permitted inside prohibited areas; only those specifically permitted to enter for operational reasons are exempt.

Question 20

What are the rules regarding restricted areas?

Answer 20

Flights are subject to restrictions; where aircraft need to enter to perform authorised duty it must do so in compliance with ATC procedures.

Question 21

What are Provost Marshal’s Areas?

Answer 21

Areas of prohibited (PMP Areas) or restricted (PMR) airspace defined by the RAF Provost Marshal.

Only applicable to military aircraft.

Details in UK MilAIP.

Question 22

What do all aircraft need to fly in a Danger Area (DA)?

Answer 22

Authorisation

Question 23

What is DACS?

Answer 23

Danger Area Crossing Service - A nominated ATC can give clearance to cross but will not provide separation from other traffic

Question 24

What is DAAIS?

Answer 24

Danger Area Activity Information Service.

Provides info on the activity going on in the DA but it’s the pilots choice whether to enter/cross.

Question 25

What are HIRTAs, how are they marked on charts and where can further details be found?

Answer 25

High Intensity Radio Transmission Areas Marked on a map as a purple looking star surrounded by a purple circle. Comms, weapons, navigation systems, etc may be affected in these areas. Details in UK AIP and UK LFHB (Low Flying Handbook).

Question 26

How are Areas to Avoid marked on charts?

Answer 26

Red diamond surrounded by a red circle.

Question 27

What are MTAs?

Answer 27

Military Training Areas

Question 28

What are AAIAs, ATAs and AARAs? Where can details be found?

Answer 28

Areas of Intense Aerial Activity Aerial Tactics Areas Air-to-Air Refuelling Areas Details found in the UK Civ AIP. Best to avoid, but if you are unable to do so it is advisable to make use of an ATC radar service.

Question 29

What are TRAs?

Answer 29

Temporary Reserved Areas Airspace that is normally under the authority of one aviation authority (i.e. CAA) and by agreement is temporarily reserved for use by another aviation authority (i.e. MAA). Established between FL195 and FL245 in the UK.