Purpose of this change

This proposal is for a Permanent change to the notified airspace design, and the change level is 3.

Portland Heliport is an ex-military establishment and has been operated by

HeliOperations Ltd since 2017 and their current focus is to deliver flying training of Search and Rescue Pilots to the

Federal German Navy in Sea King Mark 5 aircraft.

The Heliport is utilised 5 days a week, with occasional weekend activity, for flying training and supports the UK MOD

including the Royal Navy and Joint Helicopter Force whilst they conduct operations, including those within the Portland

Danger Area complex, which can often be at short notice, or out of hours. At present, a workstream is underway to

transition Portland Heliport from MAA to the CAA regulatory oversight and includes the provision of upgrading the existing

Air-Ground Service to Aerodrome Flight Information Service (AFIS).

Due to the nature of the flying training operations at the Heliport, and to improve safety during the critical stages of flight

for aircraft with significant wake vortex, HeliOperations Ltd wish to establish an Aerodrome Traffic Zone (ATZ) to assist in

protecting the aerodrome traffic on the manoeuvring area and air traffic in the immediate vicinity of the Heliport during

landing/take-off. In addition, the establishment of an associated Flight Restriction Zone (FRZ) of the same dimensions as

the proposed ATZ would also enhance safety for other airspace users within the vicinity of the aerodrome and further

protect users of the aerodrome during the critical stages of flight.

Both the ATZ and FRZ coupled with an AFIS would reduce the potential for an incident in the vicinity of the aerodrome as

pilots and operators would be able to obtain information from Portland Heliport to enable their flights to be conducted

safely within the Zone. Furthermore, there would be an increase in situational awareness of known traffic in close

proximity to the heliport by those transiting by maintaining a listening watch.

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Stage 7 : PIR

This step has been started

Stage 7 is where the change sponsor analyses the impacts of the implemented airspace change in order to allow the CAA to determine if it has, or has not, produced the intended outcomes. A post implementation review for Level 3 airspace changes will only be undertaken when it is considered proportionate to do so.

Documents for this proposal (10 documents)

Policy Statement Checklist (445.5kB PDF)

Stage 5 - Decision Document

Date added: 22 March 2024

CAA Decision Log (1.7MB PDF)

Stage 5 - Decision Log

Date added: 22 March 2024

Portland ATZ ACP - Engagement: Collate & Review Document (Redacted) (7.2MB PDF)

Stage 4 - Consultation Response Document

Date added: 24 January 2024

Portland Stage 2 - Engagement Material (520.1kB PDF)

Stage 2 - Engagement Material

Date added: 24 January 2024

Portland ATZ ACP - Timeline (180.3kB PDF)

Stage 1 - Timeline Agreement

Date added: 31 October 2023

Agenda Assessment Meeting - 21 Sep 22 (45.3kB PDF)

Stage 1 - Assessment Meeting Agenda

Date added: 01 December 2022

Portland ATZ ACP Assessment minutes - redacted (331.3kB PDF)

Stage 1 - Assessment Meeting Minutes

Date added: 01 December 2022

Statement of Need - CAA 1916 Portland ATZ (72.0kB PDF)

Stage 1 - Statement of Need

Date added: 21 July 2022

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Potentially affected area

This is the area which may be affected by this airspace change depending on its development. This area may change as the proposal is developed.

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