Grand Central Airspace
On the 5th of May 2011 a new airspace will come into effect at Grand Central airport (FAGC). This new airspace will not only place Grand Central on the map, literally, but will also facilitate the improvement of air safety at the airfield.
Great consideration has been made to ensure that the new airspace is suited to the operations currently at the aerodrome. As per AIP SUP 033/11 the new airspace is an Aerodrome Traffic Zone (ATZ) class G. The type of Air Traffic Service and frequency remains unchanged. As before, Aerodrome Flight Information Service will be continued to be provided by “Grand Central Radio” on 122.8 MHz.
The lateral dimensions for the ATZ have been developed using visual references to facilitate navigation, (please refer to ATZ chart). The vertical limits of the ATZ is from Ground (GND) to an altitude of 7000ft AMSL.
NOTE. The new ATZ has been developed in conjunction with the Special Rules Area Blue Route to the west and the Pinedene VFR Route to the north. The Pinedene VFR route will also change and the new Exit/Entry point on the western side of the Waterkloof airspace has be moved north to Rooihuiskraal just south of the N14.
What does the new airspace mean?
- Any aircraft wishing to enter, or traverse, the area will have to contact Grand Central Radio prior to entering the new designated area.
- Traffic leaving the area will be able to report “Zone Outbound” as there will be an actual boundary.
- Grand Central Radio will declare the ATZ IMC or VMC. This will be done in accordance to CAR Part 91.06.21
1. IMC
As per the regulations, AFIS/ATSO shall declare the Grand Central ATZ, IMC when the cloud ceiling is below 1500ft and or the visibility is less than 5km. No circuit training will be permitted under such conditions.
2. Weather Minima for Arriving/Departing Aircraft.
There are no Special VFR flights allowed in an ATZ, however as per CAR Part 91.06.21 Footnote (2) VFR fixed wing aircraft arriving, departing or on a cross country flight, who are maintaining 2 way communication with the tower can still operate in the Grand Central ATZ in IMC conditions when the cloud ceiling is 500ft or greater and the visibility is 5km or greater.
3. Weather Minima for Helicopter Operations
Helicopters may operate in the Grand Central ATZ when the cloud ceiling is greater than 600ft and the visibility exceeds 2.5km.
Hover-in-ground-effect or hover-taxi operations may be approved within the confines of the FAGC aerodrome, if the visibility is not less than 100 m. - The airspace is uncontrolled, however when the ATZ has been declared IMC, any aircraft that operates within the boundaries of the ATZ below the weather minima described above will be in contravention of the CARs.