Flying through ATZ’s

This article applies mainly to flying in Europe

A question we hear often is how to deal with transiting ATZ’s when any of these are the case:

• the ATZ is closed eg for lunch or on a weekend
• the ATX is open but radio operator doesn’t respond so you cannot achieve two-way radio contact

ATZ closed (not activated)

Firstly, the ATZ does not exist if you are transiting outside published hours. Therefore, you can transit or land within in as if it wasn’t there, subject to any other rules.

ATZ open (activated)

An aircraft must not fly, take off or land within the ATZ of an aerodrome unless the commander of the aircraft has complied with the following as appropriate.

1. If the aerodrome has an air traffic control unit the commander must obtain the permission of that unit to enable the flight to be conducted safely within the ATZ.
2. If the aerodrome provides a flight information service the commander must obtain information from the flight information centre to enable the flight to be conducted safely within the ATZ.
3. If there is no flight information centre at the aerodrome the commander must obtain information from the air/ground communication service to enable the flight to be conducted safely within the ATZ.

In other words, you can transit without two-way radio contact if you spoke to Air Traffic Control service (ATC), Aerodrome Flight Information Service (AFIS) is provided or Air/Ground Communication (AGC) before by phone, for example. But this is an unusual case and the more general answer is that you cannot transit without two-way radio contact.

To understand whether an ATZ is activated requires first knowing which kind of ATZ it is:

• a licensed aerodrome
• an unlicensed aerodrome
• a temporary area

Don’t forget that ATZ’s usually top out at 2000 feet AGL so transiting overhead means you are not in the ATZ and no clearance is required.

ATZ definition of activation

Regulation (EU) No. 923/2012 (‘Standardised European Rules of the Air’ (SERA)) Article 2(11)1 defines an ATZ as an airspace of defined dimensions established around an aerodrome for the protection of aerodrome traffic. ‘Aerodrome traffic’ as all traffic on the manoeuvring area of an aerodrome and all aircraft flying in the vicinity of an aerodrome. An aircraft operating “in the vicinity of an aerodrome” includes but is not limited to aircraft entering or leaving an aerodrome traffic circuit.

For ATZs established over EASA certificated aerodromes or national licensed aerodromes at which an Air Traffic Control service (ATC), Aerodrome Flight Information Service (AFIS) is provided or Air/Ground Communication (AGC) is available, the hours of ATZ activation will be limited to the notified hours of watch of the air traffic service unit or of the air/ground communication service.

For ATZs established over unlicensed aerodromes at which an air traffic control service or flight information service is provided, the hours of ATZ activation will be limited to the notified hours of watch of the air traffic service unit or of the air/ground communication service.

For ATZs established over aerodromes on a temporary basis, prenotification of the activation of such ATZs is by means of a NOTAM.

Examples of ATZ’s with notified hours

As of 2023, hear some UK ATZ’s that are not activated 24/7. Outside of the hours below, the ATZ is not activated and essentially doesn’t exist.

• BOSCOMBE DOWN: Mon-Fri 0730-2359 (0630-2300); Sat-Sun SR-SS.
• COSFORD: Sat-Wed (Sep-Jun) 0900-1730; Mon-Fri (Jul-Aug) 0900-1730.
• CRANWELL: Mon 0800-1730 (0700-1630); Tue-Thu 0800-0100 (0700-2359); Fri 0800-1700 (0700-1600); Sat-Sun SR-SS.
• FLEETLANDS: Mon-Thu 0830-1700 (0730-1600), Fri 0830-1500 (0730-1400) or SS, whichever is earlier.
• MONA: Mon-Thu 0800-2359 (0700-2300); Fri-Sun 0800-2200 (0700-2100).