Christmas Giveaway 2023: Question 8 - Air Traffic Zones (ATZ)
Question
At Cornwall Airport Newquay our longest runway is 2744m long. Therefore, based on the standard dimensions of an Aerodrome Traffic Zone (ATZ), what is the radius of the Cornwall Airport Newquay ATZ, centred from the midpoint of the runway?
- 2.0 NM
- 5.0 NM
- 2.5 NM
- 3.0 NM
Explanation
WHAT IS AN AERODROME TRAFFIC ZONE?
An aerodrome traffic zone (ATZ) is a cylindrical block of airspace, established around an aerodrome to protect aicraft operating around the airfield from transiting flights. The ATZ will vary in size depending on the length of the aerodrome's longest runway:
- For aerodromes where the longest runway is 1,850m or less, the radius of the ATZ is 2.0 NM centred from the longest runway's midpoint and extends to 2000ft above aerodrome level.
- For aerodromes where the longest runway is more than 1,850m, the radius of the ATZ is 2.5 NM centred from the longest runway's midpoint and extends to 2000ft above aerodrome level.
Source: CAA Skyway Code - Page 70, Version 4 (November 2023)
ATZ OPERATING RULES
Pilots must not operate within an ATZ or cross an ATZ during en route flight unless the Pilot-in-Command (PIC) has:
- Permission from the appropriate Air Traffic Control (ATC) service for the flight to be conducted safely; or
- If there is an Aerodrome Flight Information Service (AFIS) or Air Ground Communication Service (AGCS), appropriate information has been obtained from the AFIS or AGCS to allow the flight to be conducted safely within the ATZ.
When operating in an ATZ, you must maintain a continuous watch on the appropriate radio frequency for communications published for that aerodrome, or if this is not possible, then the pilot should keep watch for visual signals. You can find the most up-to-date details on ATZ locations, radius, hours of watch and frequencies in the UK AIP, or you can also find a complete list of Aerodrome Traffic Zones and details of the responsible radio unit for the aerodrome printed on the left-hand side of the CAA 1:500,000 charts.
Source: CAA Southern England Chart 1:500,000 - Edition 49 (2023)
If your aircraft is equipped with a radio, you must also pass information on your aircraft's position and height upon entering or leaving the ATZ.