THE outcome of the TAG Farnborough Airspace consultation into the changes to airspace and flight-paths will look to be completed this spring.

In a feedback report published this month, TAG Farnborough said that the CAA evaluation is expected to take until spring 2017 to complete and if CAA approval is granted, it plans to implement the changes not before winter 2017.

The latest report summarised the themes and issues raised in TAG Farnborough’s airspace consultation which closed in November last year.

Four broad themes were raised throughout by non-aviation and aviation stakeholders including the possible environmental impact, particularly noise, as well as access to the proposed airspace, safety concerns and justification for the proposed changes.

Those who worked on the report said: “The comments and statements supplied were very useful in helping us consider the balance between local environmental impacts, aviation impacts, operational requirements and Government (Department for Transport) guidance.

“This report will form an additional part of our Airspace Change Proposal (ACP), which is already in progress.

“The CAA will study this feedback report and check we have considered the requirements laid out in the airspace change guidance material and also the Government’s environmental guidance issued by the Department for Transport.

“They will determine whether we have succeeded in balancing the needs of all stakeholders with operational requirements according to Government guidance.”

The report centred around a limited area in the vicinity of Midhurst in West Sussex, while one comment from a stakeholder questioned the impact on other airspace users, with the planned extension of the volume of airspace known as CTA7.

With CTA7 originally planned to increase, there had been concerns for gliders, as it is impacts the route taken by gliders flying between Lasham Airfield and Parham.

However members at Lasham Gliding Society and Southdown Gliding Club could breathe a sigh of relief as the report announced that the CTA7 has been reduced in size due to no manageable solution being found.

Colin Jackson, chairman of Lasham Gliding Society, erred on the side of caution before celebrating the news however. “This proposal remains deeply threatening to Lasham Gliding. 

“When a similar airspace was temporarily implemented for the Olympics, many members chose not to fly due to the operating difficulties and safety due to the choke points. Lasham would experience significant financial consequences at the reduced activity level. 

“Lasham Gliding and other airspace users would have no choice in the event of a regulatory decision which is unsafe and/or jeopardises the viability of LGS.

“It would, if necessary, use every appropriate means including judicial review to ensure a safe and equitable outcome. This is particularly sad when there is a viable and safe solution.”

Last year TAG Farnborough announced flight paths close to the airport would see “fewer flights at low altitudes, as arriving aircraft will remain higher for longer and departing aircraft will climb higher more quickly”.

To keep track of all the latest developments and the outcome of the consultation this spring, visit www.con

sultation.tagfarnborough.com.