Update to 8th, 9th and 10th editions
Altitude and airspace
There was some sloppy wording especially in the use of the words height and altitude.
1 Not all “other airspace” is defined using altitude. Some areas and zones are defined using Flight Levels, such as D129, Weston-on-the-Green.
2 The para on transition altitudes should read” Above this altitude”…. not height
3 Using R/T terminology, if Air Traffic Control asks “what is your level?” the response could be a height (if on QFE), an altitude (if on QNH), or Flight Level if on the standard pressure setting.
4 VMC minima are altitudes - it was not specified in editions before 11
5 Control zones and control areas are also specified by altitude not by height
6 When referring to ATZs and MATZs, it should be with reference to above airfield level rather than ground level. (This is a technical thing. In reality it is much the same thing)
7 Calling up a controller to get Class D clearance. The heading should be specified not the bearing
8 Low danger areas such as rifle ranges and military flying areas are defined with reference to ground level
9 In the code of practice near airspace, the word "height" appears twice.
Additional chapter
The EASA syllabus requires pilots to know about the airworthiness of their aircraft and this requires an overview of the materials used and the structures employed when building a glider. Other related topics have been brought in from other chapters.
Compass errors
Another small point.In the Northern hemisphere, when heading East or West, if you accelerate the compass swings north and if decelerate the compass swings south. (There are no acceleration or deceleration errors on North/South. The compass card merely dips.)
Royal flights
The latest CAA missive has changed the classification for temporary controlled airspace for Royal flights, from A to D. However, the bad news is that gliders, AND ONLY GLIDERS, are excluded from it. Therefore a transit clearance cannot be requested, which is unlike all other Class D airspace.
Changes to charts
A list of amendments relating to current UK charts such as the half million map previously hosted on the CAA website has ben transferred to the NATS/AIS website.
There was some sloppy wording especially in the use of the words height and altitude.
1 Not all “other airspace” is defined using altitude. Some areas and zones are defined using Flight Levels, such as D129, Weston-on-the-Green.
2 The para on transition altitudes should read” Above this altitude”…. not height
3 Using R/T terminology, if Air Traffic Control asks “what is your level?” the response could be a height (if on QFE), an altitude (if on QNH), or Flight Level if on the standard pressure setting.
4 VMC minima are altitudes - it was not specified in editions before 11
5 Control zones and control areas are also specified by altitude not by height
6 When referring to ATZs and MATZs, it should be with reference to above airfield level rather than ground level. (This is a technical thing. In reality it is much the same thing)
7 Calling up a controller to get Class D clearance. The heading should be specified not the bearing
8 Low danger areas such as rifle ranges and military flying areas are defined with reference to ground level
9 In the code of practice near airspace, the word "height" appears twice.
Additional chapter
The EASA syllabus requires pilots to know about the airworthiness of their aircraft and this requires an overview of the materials used and the structures employed when building a glider. Other related topics have been brought in from other chapters.
Compass errors
Another small point.In the Northern hemisphere, when heading East or West, if you accelerate the compass swings north and if decelerate the compass swings south. (There are no acceleration or deceleration errors on North/South. The compass card merely dips.)
Royal flights
The latest CAA missive has changed the classification for temporary controlled airspace for Royal flights, from A to D. However, the bad news is that gliders, AND ONLY GLIDERS, are excluded from it. Therefore a transit clearance cannot be requested, which is unlike all other Class D airspace.
Changes to charts
A list of amendments relating to current UK charts such as the half million map previously hosted on the CAA website has ben transferred to the NATS/AIS website.
