Changes to Dartmoor MoD Danger Area

2012-07-18 — /travelprnews.com/ — The UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has given support to a Ministry of Defence (MoD) plan to alter the way the Dartmoor military Danger Area is managed. Whilst freeing up a substantial amount of Class G airspace for use by general aviation, the new arrangements are not expected to generate any fundamental change to aircraft movements within the Dartmoor region.

The Danger Area airspace will be sub-divided into three new smaller Danger Areas (set within the present lateral dimensions) which will allow greater flexibility as each individual area will have its own operating hours. Each mini Danger Area will be closed as and when required by the military, possibly leaving the other two open to other airspace users. Currently, the whole Danger Area is closed, regardless of how much is actually being used. Closures will be notified by NOTAM.

Phil Roberts, Assistant Director of Airspace Policy at the CAA, said: “These new arrangements demonstrate the MoD’s commitment to supporting the wider GA community and adoption of European legislation on flexible use of airspace. Class G airspace is a precious resource in the UK and a more flexible use of it is in the better interests of everyone.”

The changes to the Dartmoor Danger Area are due to come into effect on 26 July 2012. A depicting the new arrangement is available here chart depicting the new arrangement can be download as a PDF file.

Details of notified upper altitudes, times of activation and full coordinates for the Danger Area will be published in the UK AIP.

For further media information contact the CAA Press Office on: 0207 453 6030 or press.office@caa.co.uk

Follow the Airspace & Safety Initiative on www.twitter.com/airspacesafety

Notes to Editors:

1. The Airspace & Safety Initiative (ASI) is a joint CAA, NATS, AOA, GA and MoD effort to investigate and tackle the major safety risks in UK airspace. www.airspacesafety.com

2. The CAA is the UK’s specialist aviation regulator. Its activities include: making sure that the aviation industry meets the highest technical and operational safety standards; preventing holidaymakers from being stranded abroad or losing money because of tour operator insolvency; planning and regulating all UK airspace; and regulating airports, air traffic services and airlines and providing advice on aviation policy from an economic standpoint.