Edinburgh |
The Edinburgh Control Zone and Control Area are both Class D airspace. The
rules for VFR flights within this airspace are:
- Remain at least 1500 metres horizontally and 1000ft vertically away from cloud
and in a flight visibility of at least 5km
- Fixed wing aircraft at speeds of 140kts or less are to remain clear of cloud,
in sight of the surface and in a flight visibility of 5km
- Helicopters are to remain clear of cloud and in sight of the surface
SSR Code allocation
Edinburgh SSR code allocation is 0430 - 0443.
Visual Circuit
Circuits should be flown to the North field (right hand from runway 24, left hand from runway 06). Circuit height is 1000ft.
Only 1 SVFR aircraft is permitted in the circuit at a time. When an SVFR aircraft is in the circuit, RAD must give a 20nm range check on the next IFR inbound. The SVFR aircraft will then be told to land or vacate the zone to ensure standard separation between the SVFR and IFR inbounds is achieved.
VFR Fixed Wing inbound/outbound
VFR Fixed wing inbounds and outbounds where possible, should enter/exit the zone via one of the 2 entry/exit lanes; Polmont and Kelty. Aircraft operating along these routes must remain clear of cloud and in sight of the surface with a flight visibility of at least 3km. They should keep the centreline of the lane on their left, unless otherwise instructed by ATC and will be instructed to operate not above 2000ft QNH.
Aircraft operating along the Kelty lane should be given a clearance limit of the Forth Road Bridge and be told to report the field in sight. Aircraft operating along the Polmont lane should be given a clearance limit of Philpstoun and be told to report the field in sight. Once the field is in sight, they should be transferred to AIR in order to be integrated into the circuit.
Aircraft inbound to the zone from positions away from the lanes should do so on a direct track to either Kirknewton, Hillend Ski or Arthurs Seat where they will hold before being integrated into the circuit.
Outbound aircraft should use the entry/exit lanes or other VRP's just as inbound traffic.
VFR Fixed Wing transit
VFR Fixed wing transits must not penetrate the ATZ without approval from AIR. They should transit via the overhead. Whilst within the ATZ, the aircraft must be on the AIR frequency to allow traffic information to be passed.
VFR Helicopter traffic
VFR helicopter traffic can be treated in the same way as VFR fixed wing traffic however where possible, should be given direct routings.
Special VFR
Special VFR flights may be authorised in the Edinburgh CTR however should be discouraged as far as possible due to the requirement to provide standard separation between other SVFR and IFR flights. SVFR transits must route via the overhead and remain clear of the ILS and climbout. SVFR clearances to operate within the Edinburgh CTR, for the purpose of proceeding to or from the airport are not to be granted to fixed wing aircraft if the reported visibility at the airport is less than 3km or the reported cloud ceiling is less than 1000ft.
If routing via the entry/exit lanes, only 1 aircraft under SVFR is permitted on a lane at any one time.
Air Traffic Services Outside Controlled Airspace (ATSOCA)
ATSOCA may be given provided that it does not adversely affect operations at Edinburgh
A RAS or radar vectors under a RIS can only be given to aircraft operating between 3400ft QNH and FL100 to the north within 30nm of the airfield and 3900ft QNH and FL100 to the south within 30nm of the airfield. A radar service outside of 30nm must not be given.