ABOVE: A new initiative will see Biggin Hill’s runway 21 adopt satellite-based instrument approaches rather than obsolete ground-based navigational facilities
A consultation ‘relating to changes to the airspace around London Biggin Hill Airport’ has been launched, specifically relating to the new Instrument Approach Procedure that will shortly replace existing ground-based navigational facilities.
The Airspace Change Proposal (ACP) Consultation is sponsored by Biggin Hill Airport, the organisation responsible for ‘providing the formal procedures into and out of the airport’. Under new plans, the current Instrument Approach Procedure and associated Missed Approach Procedure on runway 21– both of which use ‘navigational facilities on the ground that are reaching the end of life’ – will be updated by Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS)-based procedures.
Biggin Hill says the updated procedure – which will ‘ensure the continued availability of approaches when older navigation methods are no longer available’ – will follow the existing approach profile, and ‘the change will not be discernible from the ground’.
Further information can be found in CAA Civil Aviation Publication (CAP) 1616, and a number of consultation sessions will be held to support the consultation. Virtual events will run in the mornings of 20 and 27 September, and in-person events will be held at Biggin Hill throughout 21 September and 3 October.
Consultation responses can be submitted via the CAA Citizen Space consultation website up until Monday 9 October, and interested parties can request further information by contacting the Biggin Hill airspace team at 21RNAVACP@bigginhillairport.com.
IMAGE: LONDON BIGGIN HILL AIRPORT
