Airspace Infringement and Communication

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Article Information
Category:	Airspace Infringement
Content source:	SKYbrary
Content control:	EUROCONTROL

Contents 1 Description 2 Effects 3 Defences 4 Typical Scenarios 5 Contributory Factors 6 Solutions 7 Related Articles 8 Further Reading

Description

Airspace infringement occurs when an aircraft penetrates an area into which special clearance is required without having such clearance.

A major cause of airspace infringement is breakdown of communications with Air Traffic control.

This may result from:

• lack of knowledge or understanding of procedures for obtaining clearance to enter or cross controlled airspace; or,
• failure to follow correct procedures for crossing or entering controlled airspace.

Effects

The aircraft enters controlled airspace without obtaining clearance, leading to:

• loss of separation from other traffic; and,
• disruption of traffic flow within the airspace; and,
• distraction of controller from other tasks while the situation is resolved.

Defences

• Communications procedures for obtaining clearance to enter controlled airspace are clearly laid down in internatonal and national regulations.
• Correct use of a transponder will assist TCAS equipped aircraft to avoid collision.
• Short Term Conflict Alert (STCA).

Typical Scenarios

• An aircraft approaching an airway requests crossing clearance; the frequency is busy and the controller instructs the pilot to "Stand by". The pilot continues on track without clearance and enters the airway.
• An aircraft approaching an airway requests crossing clearance; the controller acknowledges the call but does not immediately approve the request. The pilot assumes that the acknowledgement constitutes clearance and enters the airway.

Contributory Factors

• Frequency congestion;
• Pilot preoccupation with other tasks.

Solutions

Greater emphasis on communications procedures during training.

Related Articles

• European Airspace Infringement Action Plan
• Airspace Infringement and Briefing
• Airspace Infringement and Navigation
• Airspace Infringement: Guidance Notes for GA Pilots

Further Reading

• Communication Guide for General Aviation VFR Flights

EUROCONTROL Airspace Infringement Initiative

• European Action Plan for Airspace Infringement Risk Reduction;
• Airspace Infringement Risk Analysis Part II;
• Airspace Infringement Initiative website;

EUROCONTROL Guidance Notes for GA pilots

• Rules for VFR flight;
• Flight preparation;
• Getting aeronautical information before flight;
• Reading and understanding NOTAMS;
• Getting meteorological information before flight;
• Reading and understanding weather reports and forecasts;
• Using meteorological information for planning;
• Visual navigation;
• VOR/DME/ADF Navigation;
• GPS Navigation;
• Getting aeronautical and meteorological information in flight;
• Entering controlled airspace;
• Getting the most out of your transponder;

HindSight Articles:

• HindSight1 - The “On Track” Project;

European Action Plan for Air-Ground Communications Safety

• AGC Briefing Note 1 - General;
• AGC Briefing Note 5 - Radio Discipline;

UK CAA

• Airspace & Safety Initiative
• General Aviation Safety Sense Leaflets
• On Track - A Confidential Airspace Infringement Project;