Implementation date for changed UK air traffic services outside controlled airspace confirmed

The four new services that make up the changed ATSOCAS, which has been the subject of full industry consultation, will completely replace the existing services. Richard Taylor, Head of the CAAs Air Traffic Standards Division, said: The CAA has now considered and incorporated comments from the consultation, and the resulting procedures, together with extensive educational material on the changes, will be published in June. The official CAA publication (CAP 774) will be available on the CAA website in June and a fully interactive guide to the services will be posted at www.airspacesafety.com. This interactive guide will also be available on a CD which will be sent directly to all UK CAA licensed air traffic controllers, Flight Information Service Officers and pilots. All CDs will be despatched during June with the exception of those for non-commercial pilot licence holders, who will receive the CD in the autumn to enable them to train nearer the implementation date. John Clark, Assistant Director Airspace Policy 2 in the CAA, said: The new project O date takes into account the requests from air traffic service providers to allow sufficient time to train staff outside the peak summer months. The CAA and other members of ASI will also provide continued guidance and assistance to the UK aviation community to help ensure the transition to the new procedures is as smooth as possible. ASIs full plans for the publicity and education of the changes will be published at the beginning of June.