Airspace Infringement Survey 2007 Vladimir Grigorov, COMPASS IS 24 January 2008, Brussels
Why the survey? Occurrence reports do not enable in-depth analysis of causal and contributory factors! To ask those, who have experienced the risk, what could be made to prevent or reduce the likelihood of infringements! Pilots opinion and suggestions are considered paramount in establishing correct and efficient risk reductions measures!
General parameters Survey conducted Jul 2007 Sep 2007 Six focus groups: Bulgaria, Germany, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal and UK Pilots from 24 European states Questionnaire results: Total of 1076 questionnaires 552 complete questionnaires 473 analysed questionnaires
Major findings Aeronautical information provision not meeting GA needs Airspace complexity Inadequate communication between pilots and ATC/FIS Inefficient pilot navigation skills and use of available technology Quality and scope of ATS (ATC/FIS) not meeting GA needs
Approach to survey Survey Methodology Airspace Infringement model; Focus groups; Web-based questionnaire. Analysis Methods Qualitative method; Quantitative method.
Pilots profile 60.0% Qualification Distribution 57.9% 50.0% 40.0% 30.0% 20.0% 19.2% 17.3% 17.3% 10.0% 1.9% 1.9% 3.6% 3.6% 0.0% PPL IFR rating CPL Student pilot PPL PPL with IFR rating CPL Other
Pilots profile Total Total Flight Hours Distributions 30.0% 25.0% 23.5% 23.5% 19.7% 19.7% 20.0% 15.0% 15.0% 15.0% 13.1% 13.1% 11.6% 11.6% 10.0% 7.8% 7.8% 7.0% 7.0% 5.0% 2.3% 2.3% 0.0% <50 51-100 101-200 201-500 501-1000 1001-2000 2001-3000 3001> < 50 51-100 101-200 201-500 501-1000 1001-2000 2001-3000 3001 >
Actual infringements Have HAVE you YOU ever EVER made MADE AN an AIRSPACE Airspace INFRINGEMENT? infringement? No 46.51% Yes 53.49% Yes 53.49%
Actual infringements HAVE YOU EVER MADE AN AIRSPACE INFRINGEMENT? What was the nature of flight? 100.0% Training flight 90.0% 80.0% 77.1% Private flight 70.0% 60.0% 50.0% Business / Passenger flight Ferry Flight 40.0% 30.0% Research / Surveillance / Inspection 20.0% 10.0% 11.9% 5.9% 1.6% 1.2% 2.4% Other 0.0%
Actual infringements HAVE YOU EVER MADE AN AIRSPACE INFRINGEMENT? What method of navigation did you use? 57.3% 60.0% Visual 50.0% Conventional navaids (VOR/DME/NDB) 40.0% 30.0% 19.0% GPS 20.0% 13.8% 9.9% Moving map 10.0% 0.0%
Actual infringements HAVE YOU EVER MADE AN AIRSPACE INFRINGEMENT? Only very limited Did this lead number to a conflict (close encounter) of infringements with another aircraft? (4.7%) involve close encounter with another aircraft. This finding is fully consistent with the results of the statistical analysis of airspace infringement occurrence No reports provided by European states to 95.26% Eurocontrol. According to Eurocontrol Safety Regulation Commission the share of airspace infringement incidents of serious and major severity 95.26% Yes is as high as 4.5% in 2006 [EUROCONTROL SRC Yes 4.74% Annual safety report 2006]. 4.74%
Main causal factors - Interviews N 1 2 3 4 5 Causal factor Inadequate training and navigation skills Honest mistake High workload (overload) NOTAMs difficult to understand Airspace structure difficult to identify in flight
Suggested prevention Interviews Standardisation and simplification of maps and charts in Europe Improve NOTAM readability, implement integrated aeronautical briefing facility Review airspace design, reduce complexity and better use of it Extend scope and harmonise FIS provision (incl. controllers training) to handle VFR flights Improve communication between ATC and pilots Improve navigation and R/T skill training, perform periodic refresher courses and checks for pilots Use of modern technology
Main causal factors - Questionnaire Communication or navigation failure Provided ATS/FIS not meeting VFR flights needs Bad weather Insufficient pre-flight preparation or insufficient training Pilot unaware of or unfamiliar with airspace Distraction or high pilot workload Complex, unclear message or use of non standard R/T by ATS/FIS
Suggested prevention - Questionnaire Improved pilot-controller communication Improved services to VFR flights (ATS, FIS, AIS) Improved pilot s training and pre-flight preparation Introducing refresher courses and theoretical training Use of better/advanced equipment (GPS, ADS-B, Moving map) Improved pilot s vigilance on flight execution Improved airspace design and standardised VFR charts and maps Better use of navigation and communications equipment Better use of ATS/FIS services
See & Avoid Concept - Questionnaire DO YOU THINK THAT SEE AND AVOID CONCEPT CAN ENSURE THE SAFETY OF VFR FLIGHTS IN Do you think that See and Avoid concept can ensure the safety of VFR THE FUTURE? flights in the future? Yes Yes 63.21% 63.21% No 36.79% No 36.79%
See & Avoid Concept - Questionnaire What can be done to improve safety of VFR flights? 30.0% 28.8% 26.4% Better AIS 25.0% 21.6% Pilot proficiency Better/advanced equipment 20.0% 15.4% Better ATS tailored to GA needs 15.0% Review rules and regulations 10.0% 4.7% 7.6% Reduce complexity of airspace & procedure 5.0% 3.6% Other 0.0%
Conclusions & Recommendations Aeronautical information provision not meeting GA needs Airspace 1. Improve NOTAM complexity readability 2. Ensure graphical visualisation of NOTAMs ATC service not meeting GA flights 3. 1. Harmonise Improve aeronautical and simplify information lower airspace accessibility classification Inadequate 4. 2. Standardise Review and communication optimise lower airspace volume maps and between boundaries and charts pilots of controlled and ATC/FIS 2. 5. airspace Improve Implement and ATC number AI and staff MET proficiency restricted/reserved/prohibited products in VFR tailored flight to services, GA needs airspaces including 3. Improve knowledge management of light of reserved/restricted aircraft types and their airspace performance structures Inefficient 1. oversight use of of available private pilots technology training process characteristics and Improve related pilots information R/T skills dissemination training Implement mandatory pilot refresher training Insufficient 2. 1. 3. Open Improve Implement Make Implement full doors pilots use airspace mandatory pilot days of SSR navigation at controllers infringement ATC transponders proficiency towers R/T skills warning and discipline checks installed centres tool on for GA GA airplanes pilots 3. and Improve corridors pilots in controlled knowledge airspace aviation English Quality 1. Ensure Improve and affordable navigation scope IFR skills of rating FIS training, requirements not including meeting for GPS PPL GA usage holders needs warning) 3. 4. 5. 2. Support Develop Make airspace Implement to generic AOPAs structures VFR pilot refresher and flights GA boundaries training establishments R/T communications more prominent safety guide efforts Regulatory 3. Improve Flight oversight Instructors proficiency and safety culture term) 2. Improve FIC staff proficiency Risk awareness and safety culture 1. Ensure faire access to airspace and change in attitude to VFR flights 4. Implement dedicated VFR routes, standard VFR entry/crossing points 2. Controllers/FIS Implement advanced officers GPS familiarisation automated visits functions to flying (e.g. clubs infringement and schools 3. 1. 4. (alignment Implement Extend Encourage FIS with data pilots coverage visually link to affiliate and observable and digital improve to GA radio ground establishment service communication features scope and and (medium flying availability landmarks) clubs to long 3. Standardise FIS provision in Europe and implement best practices
Additional information More about COMPASS IS and airspace infringement on: and vladimir.grigorov@cis.bg Project Manager COMPASS IS