Consultation on flight path changes at Leeds Bradford airport – ends 6th October
A public consultation (ends 5th November) is under way into air space changes around Leeds Bradford Airport. The departure routes will not change, but aircraft will climb quicker, reducing plane noise to some of those under the flight paths. The airport says that to provide improved spacing between arriving and departing aircraft and greater efficiency of operation, the new procedures require additional airspace within which to manoeuvre aircraft. Some new areas would be overflown. After the consultation, the airport will submit its application to the CAA, which has 17 weeks to reply. Once approval is achieved, LBA will complete controller training with the changes set to be implemented from autumn next year. The proposals affect Class G airspace, and would significantly concentrate flight paths – so some local residents will be blighted with considerably more noise then they experience today whilst others may benefit. The documentation claims that the change in airspace proposed will not automatically mean an increase in air passenger numbers and aircraft movements but then refers readers to the airports development plan published elsewhere which clearly states their ambition to grow passenger numbers to 7 million per year by 2030 (from around 3.5 million now).
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Have your say over air space changes around Leeds Bradford Airport
By Mark Stanford (Telegraph & Argus)
20.9.2017
A PUBLIC consultation is under way into air space changes around Leeds Bradford Airport.
The Yeadon site is introducing changes to its airspace, as its departure routes will not change, but aircraft will achieve greater height quicker, reducing disruption to those under the flight paths.
By publishing more efficient arrival routes, aircraft will fly fewer miles, to reduce the disruption to local communities.
To provide improved spacing between arriving and departing aircraft and greater efficiency of operation, the new procedures require additional airspace to manoeuvre aircraft within.
The proposed airspace change and introduction of updated departure routes for the airport’s runway 32 will result in aircraft departures flying closer to, or over, some new areas; particularly Burley Woodhead and Baildon. But the overall number of locations overflown will reduce. Changes will also be made to services from runway 14. The airspace changes are being made at airport’s across the UK.
The deadline for public consultations is Sunday, November 5. (Document says 5th October). The airport will then submit its application to the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), who have 17 weeks to reply. Once approval is achieved, LBA will complete controller training with the changes set to be implemented from autumn next year.
Fuel saving and noise reduction are key parts to the changes, according to LBA chiefs.
Alan Siddoway, head of air traffic services at LBA, said: “We would encourage people to talk to us about the airspace changes.
“We have already been consulting with a number of parties and we are trying to improve the quality of life for those people in the area around the airport.
“We are looking at 100 kilograms fuel saving for every aircraft which arrives and departs at LBA.
“We are aiming to get our aircraft higher, quicker as part of the changes.”
Two public consultation events will take place about the changes. They will be on Tuesday, September 26, at Yarnbury (Horsforth) RFC, Brownberrie Lane, Horsforth. The second is on Wednesday, September 27, at Highroyds Sports and Social Club, Guiseley Drive, Menston. Both sessions between 3pm and 8pm.
Email responses for the consultation to lbaconsultation@ospreycsl.co.uk and title the email LBA Consultation
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Leeds Bradford airport currently have an Airspace Change Proposal (ACP)
September 2017
They are attempting to increase the amount of controlled class D airspace around the airport on the premise that the extra airspace is required to allow for changes in both arrival and departure procedures.
Their proposal creates significant choke points for other air space users, degrading the safety of those in Class G airspace around the outside of the proposed class D and at the same time states that the new procedures will significantly concentrate flight paths – so some local residents will be blighted with considerably more noise then they experience today whilst others may benefit.
The documentation claims that the change in airspace proposed will not automatically mean an increase in air passenger numbers and aircraft movements but then refers readers to the airports development plan published elsewhere which clearly states their ambition to grow passenger numbers to 7 million per year by 2030.
The GA (General Aviation) community, local gliding clubs and hang gliding / flex wing enthusiasts operating in northern England stand to be greatly affected by the proposals.
Respondents have until 6th of October 2017 to make their views known.
Link to the ACP proposal http://www.leedsbradfordairport.co.uk/media/2643/lba-acp-consultation-document-issue-2.pdf .
Link to the LBA Development Plan 2016 to 2030 http://www.leedsbradfordairport.co.uk/about-the-airport/airport-masterplan
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