SKYbrary Wiki

{{Infobox Airspace Infringement
|source            = SKYbrary
|source_image      = SKYbrary
|source_caption    = About SKYbrary
|control           = SKYbrary
|control_image     = SKYbrary
|control_caption   = About SKYbrary
}}

== Description ==

[[Airspace Infringement|Airspace infringement]] occurs when an aircraft penetrates an area into which [[Entering Controlled Airspace|special clearance]] is required without having such clearance. 

A major cause of airspace infringement is lack of awareness of the presence of the [[Controlled Airspace|controlled airspace]] or [[Danger Area|danger]], [[Restricted Area|restricted]] or [[Prohibited Area|prohibited]] area concerned, or of its significance. This is usually due to poor pre-flight briefing.

== Effects ==

*[[Loss of Separation]] from other aircraft, which may result in collision.

*Exposure to danger from military hazards, e.g. radiation, gun-firing or manoeuvring high-performance aircraft.

*Perceived security risk, if prohibited area is penetrated, which may result in military action.

*Damage to ground installations within prohibited areas, including vulnerable animals.

*Disruption of military or other special activities within restricted, danger or prohibited airspace.

== Defences ==

*Adequate [[Pre-flight Preparation|pre-flight briefing]].

*Good ATC radar coverage, particularly [[Air Traffic Services Outside Controlled Airspace (ATSOCAS)|Air Traffic Services Outside Controlled Airspace]], where such exist.

*[[Transponder|Aircraft Transponders]] to enable aircraft to be identified by ATS and to enable [[Airborne Collision Avoidance System (ACAS)|TCAS]] avoiding action to be taken.

*[[Short Term Conflict Alert (STCA)]].

*[[Area Proximity Warning]] (APW).

== Typical Scenarios ==

*A pilot plans a flight along a route, avoiding sensitive airspace. Due to a navigational error he deviates from his intended track and penetrates a danger area which he had not plotted on his chart;

*A pilot plans to fly beneath an airway but fails to note the lower level of activity. Due to weather, he climbs and enters the airway.

== Contributory Factors ==

*Insufficient emphasis on the importance of pre-flight briefing during training;

*Lack of, or difficult to use [[Briefing Facilities|briefing facilities]] at the departure aerodrome;

*Inaccurate [[Airspace Infringement and Navigation|navigation]];

*Weather.

== Solutions ==

*Improve airspace infringement awareness;

*Improve standard of pilot training including  emphasis on the importance of [[Navigation: Pre-flight Preparation|pre-flight briefing]];

*Develop technological solutions such as [[Area Proximity Warning]] (APW) and radar coverage, especially Lower Airspace Radar Service, in areas prone to airspace infringement;

*Review airspace design where airspace infringement occurs with the objective of removing the cause of incidents, e.g. choke areas.

==Related Articles==
*[[European Airspace Infringement Action Plan]]
*[[Airspace Infringement and Communication]]
*[[Airspace Infringement and Navigation]]
*[[Airspace Infringement: Guidance Notes for GA Pilots]]

== Further Reading ==

'''EUROCONTROL Airspace Infringement Initiative'''

*[http://www.skybrary.aero/bookshelf/books/1044.pdf European Action Plan for Airspace Infringement Risk Reduction];
*[http://www.skybrary.aero/bookshelf/books/126.pdf Airspace Infringement Risk Analysis Part II];

'''EUROCONTROL Guidance Notes for GA pilots'''

*[http://www.skybrary.aero/bookshelf/books/716.pdf Rules for VFR flight];
*[http://www.skybrary.aero/bookshelf/books/717.pdf Flight preparation];
*[http://www.skybrary.aero/bookshelf/books/718.pdf Getting aeronautical information before flight];
*[http://www.skybrary.aero/bookshelf/books/703.pdf Reading and understanding NOTAMS];
*[http://www.skybrary.aero/bookshelf/books/719.pdf Getting meteorological information before flight];
*[http://www.skybrary.aero/bookshelf/books/705.pdf Reading and understanding weather reports and forecasts]; 
*[http://www.skybrary.aero/bookshelf/books/720.pdf Using meteorological information for planning];
*[http://www.skybrary.aero/bookshelf/books/721.pdf Visual navigation];
*[http://www.skybrary.aero/bookshelf/books/722.pdf VOR/DME/ADF Navigation];
*[http://www.skybrary.aero/bookshelf/books/723.pdf GPS Navigation];
*[http://www.skybrary.aero/bookshelf/books/711.pdf Getting aeronautical and meteorological information in flight];
*[http://www.skybrary.aero/bookshelf/books/713.pdf Entering controlled airspace];
*[http://www.skybrary.aero/bookshelf/books/714.pdf Getting the most out of your transponder];

'''HindSight Articles:'''
*[http://www.skybrary.aero/bookshelf/books/24.pdf HindSight1 - The “On Track” Project];

'''EGAST'''
*[http://www.skybrary.aero/bookshelf/books/1488.pdf Decision Making for General Aviation Pilots], EGAST Safety Promotion Leaflet, April 2011;  

'''UK CAA'''
*[http://airspacesafety.com/ Airspace & Safety Initiative]
*[http://publicapps.caa.co.uk/modalapplication.aspx?catid=1&pagetype=65&appid=11&mode=list&type=sercat&id=21 General Aviation Safety Sense Leaflets] 
*[http://www.skybrary.aero/bookshelf/books/203.pdf On Track - A Confidential Airspace Infringement Project];


[[Category:Airspace Infringement]]
[[Category:Operational Issues]]