AIRPROX and Airspace Infringements

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AIRPROX and Airspace Infringements
Flt Lt Kirsty Scott
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Scope

• Airspace Infringements
• Definition of AIRPROX
• Reporting Process
• AIRPROX Board
• Examples
• Recent GA Statistics
• Lessons Identified

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Airspace Infringements

• Definition
• An Airspace Infringement is defined as
• A flight into a notified airspace that has not
  been subject to approval by the designated
  controlling authority of that airspace in
  accordance with international and national
  regulations.
• Such airspace is considered to be
• Controlled airspace
• Aerodrome Traffic Zones
• Airspace restrictions

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Airspace Infringements

• CAS, ATZs and Airspace Restrictions are put in
  place to protect aircraft flying in those areas.
• Airspace Infringements increase the risk of
  AIRPROX, incidents or accidents.
• Reporting is usually undertaken by ATC.
• Statistics
• Widely inaccurate due to reporting issues
• However, up to 10 result in AIRPROX

Unknown 11
AOC 2
Mil 13
GA 74
Percentage number of infringements by aircraft
operator - 2006
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AIRPROX Definition

• Definition of AIRPROX
• An AIRPROX is a situation in which , in the
  opinion of the pilot or controller, the distance
  between aircraft as well as their relative
  positions and speed, have been such that the
  safety of the aircraft involved was or may have
  been compromised.
• JSP 552 Master Glossary

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AIRPROX

• An AIRPROX can be filed by a pilot or controller
  when the above criteria have been met
• Not all AIRPROX are considered to be Serious
  Incidents
• AIRPROX Classifications
• A Risk of collision
• B Safety not assured
• C No risk of collision
• D Risk not determined
• AIRPROX investigations are freely published in
  the UK

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Reporting Process

• Only a pilot or ATCO can report an AIRPROX.
• The AIRPROX Report Form for pilots, civilian or
  military, is  Form CA1094/RAF756a
• An initial report should include
• a. Callsign and type of aircraft
• b. Time of AIRPROX
• c. Position of AIRPROX
• d. Height/Altitude/Flight Level or aircraft
  attitude
• e. Heading and true airspeed
• f. Whether IMC/VMC and estimated visibility
• g. Details of the AIRPROX and as much information
  on the other aircraft as possible
• h. If overseas, the control agency providing the
  ATC service if applicable

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UKAB

• UK AIRPROX Board start their investigation
• Investigation Phase
• Reports from all involved
• AIRPROX Board Assessment
• Determine
• Causal factors
• Risk
• Safety recommendations
• Communicating the AIRPROX Boards assessment
• Copies sent to all involved
• Report published (anonymous)

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Examples
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Examples
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Examples
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Examples

• From The Times, February 12, 2009
• Teenage girl cousins die with RAF instructors in
  mid-air collision

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Examples

• BBC News, 16 December 2007
• Two killed in aircraft collision
• Two people have died after a pair of light
  aircraft collided in mid-air over the Midlands.

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Examples

• From Telegraph, 14 March 2009
• Red Arrows narrowly avoided disaster with
  passenger plane

A Red Arrows display team narrowly avoided a
mid-air collision with a passenger plane during a
show, a report has disclosed.
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Recent GA Statistics
GA Risk Data 1999-2008
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Recent GA Statistics
Most common causal factors in AIRPROX during 2008
having a GA aircraft involvement.
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Lessons Identified

• Plan a flight thoroughly
• Keep well clear of notified and active glider
  sites unless operating therefrom
• Join and fly circuits correctly
• Maintain a good lookout
• Both carry and operate a transponder with mode C
  switched on during flight
• Maintain radio contact with Air Traffic Control
  where possible

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Any Questions?
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AIRPROX Board

• Contact Details
• Telephone
• 44 (0)1895 815125
• Fax
• 44 (0)1895 815124
• Postal address
• Hillingdon House, RAF Uxbridge, Middlesex, UB10
  0RU
• Core hours
• Mon-Thurs 0900 - 1700  Fri 0900 - 1600 
• Email
• info_at_airproxboard.org.uk