 |
ICAO FIS Implementation Call for Input |
The CAA have made a public call for Input Engagement on the implementation of better alignment of UK Flight Information Services with International Civil Organisation (ICAO) Flight Information Service (FIS) in the UK.
This engagement supports the implementation of the Airspace Modernisation Strategy (AMS). the CAA have an obligation to review and optimise our degree of alignment with ICAO provisions.
That allows the CAA to demonstrate our air traffic services provision is complementary to that of our neighbouring states, thereby enhancing overall flight safety and providing an adaptable ‘Visual Flight Rules (VFR) or Instrument Flight Rules (IFR)’ solution to service recipients in Classes E and G airspace.
We invite stakeholders to give us your views , responses are requested by 29 March 2024.
As the CAA have not given any explanatory notes with this call for input, unless you access the questionnaire, AOPA sought further clarification from the CAA.
Jon Round, CAA Head of Airspace, Air Traffic Management & Aerodromes (AAA) has responded:
"What the AMS proposes is to better align the UK’s approach to providing flight information service with that of ICAO. To expand on your point, I imagine that many across industry will be unfamiliar with the source of ICAO provisions. Our team considered providing a document that would examine the issues in more detail but, at this stage and through this engagement, we wanted to provide industry with the freedom to explain how they access, use and provide the flight information services. In turn, that will allow us to ‘flesh-out’ the concept of operations described in the AMS, so that we can develop a set of ‘strawman’ procedures to inform subsequent engagement and, in time, consultation."
If you have any views that might be used in an AOPA response please let me know:
In the meantime, these are the contents of the questionnaire:
Policy proposal
The AMS sets out the ambition to replace the UK Flight Information Services with a FIS that is more closely aligned with the intent described within ICAO provisions.
It is proposed that this will enable current and future airspace users to participate in a modernised FIS that is internationally recognisable, simplified, embraces emerging technologies and service delivery capabilities. Inter alia:
- We will develop provisions to support the provision of FIS both with, and without surveillance.
- Where surveillance is utilised by an individual licensed as an air traffic controller, they will be permitted to undertake vectoring and suggest levels to assist an identified aircraft in its navigation; for example, onto final approach.
- Where surveillance is utilised by an individual licensed as an air traffic controller, they will be permitted to provide traffic information and, if so requested by the pilot or if, in the opinion of the controller, the situation warrants, suggest a course of avoiding action. There will not be an associated 'deconfliction minima'; the intent of the avoiding action is to avoid collision, not to achieve a proxy for separation.
- Where surveillance is not utilised by an individual licensed as an air traffic controller, they will be permitted to "advise" or "suggest" routes, tracks, radials, times and levels to assist an aircraft in its navigation; for example, onto final approach.
Do you welcome the intent of the proposal? (Required)
Yes No
If you answer NO, please ensure you explain why and what you would suggest instead in the relevant section
CAP 774 UK Flight Information Services
If you are familiar with CAP 774 and/or receive/provide FIS in accordance with it, please indicate whether you feel it meets your operating requirements?
(Required)
Yes No
If you answer NO, please ensure you explain why and what you would suggest requires improvement.
Which of the air traffic services, within CAP 774, are you familiar with? (Required)
- Deconfliction Service (DS)
- Traffic Service (TS)
- Procedural Service (PS)
- Basic Service (BS)
- None of the above
Any comments on the suitability of any of the ATS listed above?
Is the current edition of CAP 774 easy to assimilate? (Required)
Yes No
If you answer NO, please ensure you explain why and what you would suggest requires improvement:
What aspects of CAP 774 should be retained or should all ATS be subject to this review? (Required)
- Elements of Deconfliction Service (DS)
- Elements of Traffic Service (TS)
- Elements of Procedural Service (PS)
- Elements of Basic Service (BS)
- All elements of CAP 774 should be reviewed.
- None of the above
Should you wish to do so, please explain why you answered yes or no and offer any suggestions
Should the future FIS continue to include elements of the existing UK Flight Information Services? For example, the provision of: vectors, level allocation, or sequencing or deconfliction advice within Class G airspace?
- Vectors Level Allocation
- Sequencing
- Deconfliction advice
- An alternative provision, not currently provided.
- None of the above
Please explain your selection:
Are there any elements of UK FIS policy or service delivery that you consider a ‘red line’, where its retention is, in your opinion, non-negotiable? (Required)
Yes No
Please explain your selection
UK Flight Information Service Officers (FISOs)
Are you familiar with the capabilities of a Flight Information Service Officer (FISO) and what they are able to provide in terms of Air Traffic Services? (Required)
Yes No
If you answered YES, please explain which aspects might be changed or improved?
What do you understand to be the main differences between air traffic services delivered by an ATCO and a FISO in the UK?
Please explain which aspects might be changed or improved in the future?
ICAO FIS Alignment
Should elements of ICAO Doc 4444 PANS-ATM be better aligned with, or emphasised, within the future UK FIS? (Required) Yes No
Please provide detail on why you have selected your answer
UK FIS Delivery
Should the CAA simplify the operational delivery of UK FIS? (Required)
Yes No
Please explain your selection:
The AMS describes the digitisation of FIS provision through the use of FIS-B and TIS-B technologies and the concept of the 'connected aircraft'. Should the CAA use technology to improve the delivery of FIS, and if yes, how? (Required) Yes No
Please explain your selection:
Do you think it is important for a verbal agreement to be made stating the type of service an aircraft is in receipt of? For example, ‘….leaving controlled airspace, Flight Information Service…..’. (Required)
Yes No
Please explain your selection.
UK Airspace
What changes, if any, may be required to the UK airspace structures and classifications to facilitate the provision of the future UK FIS? (Required)
Yes No
Please explain your selection and offer any suggestions.
Lower Airspace (Radar) Services. What is your opinion on current availability, delivery and service levels of UK Lower Airspace Radar Services (LARS)? From your interaction with LARS, have services been provided by the ATS provider as expected? How might the Lower Airspace Services (LAS) be delivered in the future?
The AMS proposes
The AMS proposes, inter alia, replacing ATZs at uncontrolled aerodromes with RMZs. With regards to UK airspace constructs, do you have any comments upon:
- (Required) Designs.
- Shapes (e.g. circle or lozenge).
- Use of ATZs. Use of RMZs.
- None of the above.
- An alternative method (please describe below).
Please provide detail on why you have selected your answer.
Other feedback
What other opportunities to improve UK FIS regulation, beyond those suggested in this Call for Input, would you like to see progressed?
If you have additional feedback, please feel free to upload an attachment and make sure your file is in PDF or Word format.