Saturday 30 April 2016

New Airspace Updates in progress

I've collated all the relevant UK airspace updates since the middle of last year and will be working my way through them updating the fileset shortly.  Amendments to be made are listed below:

ATS ROUTE L10
Our Ref: 161009
Year: 2016
Effective: 23/06/2016
Details:
ATS ROUTE L10
Lower limit of airway between Isle of Man (IOM) VOR (540400.72N 0044548.51W) and Belfast (BEL) VOR (543940.12N 0061347.67W) to become FL45.

SAINT ABBS (SAB) VOR (555427.04N 0021222.81W)
Our Ref: 161204
Year: 2016
Effective: 29/03/2016
Details:
SAINT ABBS (SAB) VOR (555427.04N 0021222.81W)
Update to the declination setting of SAB VOR from 2.7W to 1.6W.

BENBECULA (BEN 113.95) VOR
Our Ref: 110009
Year: 2016
Effective: 23/06/2016
Details:
BENBECULA (BEN 113.95) VOR
BEN VOR to be withdrawn from service. Change VOR/DME symbol at 572840.57N 0072155.08W to DME symbol, and remove VOR compass rose symbol.

DISHFORTH (EGXD)
Our Ref: 142109
Year: 2016
Effective: 23/06/2016
Details:
DISHFORTH (EGXD)
Remove ATZ and MATZ from military aero site at 540814.00N 0012513.00W. Remove the entry for Dishforth from the ATZ list in chart Legend.

ATS ROUTE Y3
Our Ref: 112017
Year: 2016
Effective: 26/05/2016
Details:
ATS ROUTE Y3
Y3 is to be redesignated P2. Amend route annotations at 513700.00N 0030500.00W and 512700.00N 0014000.00W to read 'P2'; the other parts of the annotations remain the same.

DANGER AREA EG D201A Aberporth
Our Ref: 143342
Year: 2016
Effective: 26/05/2016
Details:
DANGER AREA EG D201A Aberporth
Danger Area D201A to be subdivided into D201A, D201F and D201G. See here for details.

SOLENT CTA
Our Ref: 102244
Year: 2016
Effective: 26/05/2016
Details:
SOLENT CTA
Lower vertical limit of existing Solent CTA Sector 6 to be raised by 500ft, and amalgamated with Solent CTA Sector 7. Delete blue dashed line between 505257N 0011518W and 505435N 0010334W. Amend annotation to read "CTA 'D' 3000'-5500'".

DANGER AREAS EG D201F & EG D201G Aberporth
Our Ref: 144723
Year: 2016
Effective: 26/05/2016
Details:
DANGER AREAS EG D201F & EG D201G Aberporth
Further to amendment 143342 effective 2016-05-26
New Danger Areas D201F and D201G upper vertical limits changed to FL145, OCNL UNL.

FRANCE
Our Ref: 103425
Year: 2016
Effective: 28/04/2016
Details: FRANCE
ATS ROUTE T13
Airway to be redesignated L613. Amend annotation at 504000.00N 0013000.00E from 'T13/T22' to 'L613/T22'.

SEAFORD (SFD) VOR (504538.49N 0000718.89E)
Our Ref: 160344
Year: 2016
Effective: 29/03/2016
Details:
SEAFORD (SFD) VOR (504538.49N 0000718.89E)
Update to the declination setting of SFD VOR from 0.8W to 0.9W.

DAVENTRY (DTY) VOR (521048.51N 0010649.64W)
Our Ref: 143021
Year: 2016
Effective: 25/02/2016
Details:
DAVENTRY (DTY) VOR (521048.51N 0010649.64W)
Update to the declination setting of DTY VOR from 1.9W to 0.9W.

TURWESTON (EGBT)
Our Ref: 105433
Year: 2016
Effective: 15/03/2016
Details:
TURWESTON (EGBT)
Add Training Aerodrome symbol (circle around AD symbol with letter 'T') to civil aerodrome at 520227N 0010552W.

NORTH DENES
Our Ref: 120431
Year: 2015
Effective: 03/03/2016
Details:
NORTH DENES
Removal of North Denes helicopter site and associated data. See here for details.

KEMBLE (KMB 349) NDB
Our Ref: 113146
Year: 2016
Effective: 01/03/2016
Details:
KEMBLE (KMB 349) NDB
Remove text label 'KMB 349' from civil aerosite EGBP at 514005.00N 0020325.00W due to withdrawal from service.

LISTENING SQUAWKS (For SSR Operating Procedures see UK AIP ENR 1.6).
Our Ref: 083138
Year: 2016
Effective: 01/03/2016
Details:
LISTENING SQUAWKS (For SSR Operating Procedures see UK AIP ENR 1.6).
Chart Legends and Southern Frequency Reference Card
Add Oxford/Kidlington with code 4517 and frequency 127.750.

AERODROME TRAFFIC ZONES (ATZ)
Our Ref: 123610
Year: 2015
Effective: 25/06/2015
Details:
AERODROME TRAFFIC ZONES (ATZ)
Remove Wyton ATZ.
Change the following frequencies:
Kinloss - delete 119.350, insert 123.300
Lossiemouth - delete 119.350, insert 123.300

HELICOPTER ROUTE H10
Our Ref: 110643
Year: 2015
Effective: 28/05/2015
Details:
HELICOPTER ROUTE H10
Amend maximum altitude from 750 ft to 800 ft between North edge of Gunnersbury Park (approx. 513003.75N 0001734.91W) and Chiswick Bridge (approx. 512823.19N 0001611.23W).

LIVERPOOL (EGGP)
Our Ref: 174410
Year: 2015
Effective: 28/05/2015
Details:
LIVERPOOL (EGGP)
Visual Reference Points (VRPs)
Add the following:
Garston Docks 532109.96N 0025424.36W
Jaguar Car Factory 532112.66N 0025008.80W
Runcorn Bridge 532046.82N 0024416.41W
Fiddlers Ferry Power Station 532218.39N 0024116.03W
Helsby Hill 531624.31N 0024547.64W
Frodsham Hill 531713.75N 0024329.27W
M53N/J10 (Cheshire Oaks) 531545.39N 0025234.37W
Tarvin Roundabout 531141.96N 0024637.80W
The Liver Building (Pier Head) 532420.73N 0025945.19W
Tarbock Island 532353.86N 0024830.41W

ATS ROUTE L175
Our Ref: 133242
Year: 2015
Effective: 28/05/2015
Details:
ATS ROUTE L175
L175 is to be redesignated as P2. Amend text labels at 520330N 0055700W and 515330N 0055000W to read 'P2' instead of 'L175'; the other parts of the text labels remain the same.

ATS ROUTE L10
Our Ref: 131234
Year: 2015
Effective: 17/09/2015
Details:
ATS ROUTE L10
Lower limit of airway between 542354N 0053416W and Belfast BEL VOR (543940.12N 0061347.67W) to be raised from FL45 and 4500' to FL65.

ATS ROUTE N560
Our Ref: 132120
Year: 2015
Effective: 23/07/2015
Details:
ATS ROUTE N560
The base flight levels between FOYLE (560834N 0042256W), ERSON (562748N 0041824W) and INBAS (564200N 0041459W) are revised as follows: FOYLE to ERSON - FL195, ERSON to INBAS - FL125. For more information, see here.

NORWICH (EGSH)
Our Ref: 164704
Year: 2015
Effective: 17/09/2015
Details:
NORWICH (EGSH)
Change upper limits of Norwich CTR and CTA from FL50 to 4000'.

AERODROME TRAFFIC ZONES (ATZ)
Our Ref: 105924
Year: 2015
Effective: 25/06/2015
Details:
AERODROME TRAFFIC ZONES (ATZ)
Change the following frequency:
Coningsby - delete 120.800, insert 124.675
Note that the Coningsby LARS frequency remains 120.800MHz.

BIGGIN HILL (BIG) VOR (511951.15N 0000205.32E)
Our Ref: 163228
Year: 2015
Effective: 17/09/2015
Details:
BIGGIN HILL (BIG) VOR (511951.15N 0000205.32E)
Update to the declination setting of BIG VOR from 1.2W to 0.4W.

COMP
Our Ref: 074512
Year: 2015
Effective: 07/07/2015
Details:
COMP
Delete unlicensed aerodrome at 511712N 0002051E with elevation of 362, due to site no longer in use.

ATS ROUTE N42
Our Ref: 172038
Year: 2015
Effective: 25/06/2015
Details:
ATS ROUTE N42
Lower limit of airway raised to FL145 along whole length. Delete text labels "N42 'A' FL95+" at 525200N 0030000W and "N42 'A' FL125+" at 524400N 0030000W.

TIFFENDEN
Our Ref: 060515
Year: 2015
Effective: 14/10/2015
Details:
TIFFENDEN
Add unlicensed civil aero site at 510540.88N 0004429.95E with an elevation of 106 ft amsl.

SITTLES FARM
Our Ref: 110812
Year: 2015
Effective: 13/10/2015
Details:
SITTLES FARM
Add unlicensed civil aero site at 524224.47N 0014513.37W with an elevation of 187 ft amsl.

MAYPOLE (EGHB)
Our Ref: 065017
Year: 2015
Effective: 12/10/2015
Details:
MAYPOLE (EGHB)
Remove frequency 119.200 from unlicensed civil aero site at 512024N 0010922E from Charts and Frequency Reference Cards.

STONEY LANE
Our Ref: 062115
Year: 2015
Effective: 19/10/2015
Details:
STONEY LANE
Add unlicensed civil aero site at 521955.02N 0015938.79W with an elevation of 460 ft amsl.

RESTRICTED AREA EG R220 Anmer Hall, Norfolk
Our Ref: 095026
Year: 2015
Effective: 07/01/2016
Details:
RESTRICTED AREA EG R220 Anmer Hall, Norfolk
Restricted area established: a circle, 1.5nm radius centred at 525003N 0003447E.
Vertical limits: SFC-2000 ft ALT; add asterisk (bye-laws symbol) to text label.

RESTRICTED AREA EG R219 Sandringham House, Norfolk
Our Ref: 094626
Year: 2015
Effective: 07/01/2016
Details:
RESTRICTED AREA EG R219 Sandringham House, Norfolk
Restricted area established: an area bounded by the clockwise arc of a circle 1.5nm radius centred at 524948N 0003049E between 524819N 0003104E and 525117N 0003033E; then a straight line joining 525117N 0003033E and 525132N 0003424E; then the anti-clockwise arc of a circle radius 1.5nm centred at 525003N 0003447E between 525132N 0003424E and 524834N 0003510E; then a straight line joining 524834N 0003510E and 524819N 0003104E.
Vertical Limits: SFC-2000 ft ALT; add asterisk (bye-laws symbol) to text label.

SWANBOROUGH FARM
Our Ref: 095037
Year: 2015
Effective: 06/11/2015
Details:
SWANBOROUGH FARM
Add unlicensed civil aero site at 505112.10N 0000003.40E with an elevation of 6 ft amsl.

CHIVENOR (EGDC)
Our Ref: 111105
Year: 2015
Effective: 07/01/2016
Details:
CHIVENOR (EGDC)
Change military aerodrome symbol at 510514.00N 0040901.00W to civil aerodrome symbol - limited or no facilities. Delete Aerodrome Traffic Zone (ATZ), ICAO 4-letter code 'EGDC' and IAP cone ('feathered' symbol). Delete the Chivenor entry from the ATZ list in Legend. Delete 'EGDC' from the Chivenor entry on the Southern England & Wales Frequency Reference Card.

ST MERRYN
Our Ref: 063522
Year: 2015
Effective: 23/11/2015
Details:
ST MERRYN
Change disused aerodrome symbol at 503014.00N 0045832.00W to civil aerodrome, with an elevation of 260 ft amsl, as site is active.

CAERNARFON (CAE 320) NDB
Our Ref: 095326
Year: 2015
Effective: 23/11/2015
Details:
CAERNARFON (CAE 320) NDB
Remove text label 'CAE 320' from civil aerosite EGCK at 530606.55N 0042015.41W due to withdrawal from service.

MANBY
Our Ref: 103736
Year: 2015
Effective: 18/11/2015
Details:
MANBY
Delete unlicensed civil aero site at 532130.00N 0000459.00E, with an elevation of 60 ft amsl, due to site being disused and no longer visible.

SPEKE
Our Ref: 111711
Year: 2015
Effective: 18/11/2015
Details:
SPEKE
Delete disused aerodrome at 532034.00N 0025253.00W as site is no longer visible.

WORKSOP
Our Ref: 112002
Year: 2015
Effective: 18/11/2015
Details:
WORKSOP
Delete disused aerodrome at 531936.00N 0010351.00W as site is no longer visible.

HOLME-ON-SPALDING MOOR
Our Ref: 111141
Year: 2015
Effective: 18/11/2015
Details:
HOLME-ON-SPALDING MOOR
Delete disused aerodrome at 534816.00N 0004427.00W as site is no longer visible.

SEALAND
Our Ref: 112209
Year: 2015
Effective: 18/11/2015
Details:
SEALAND
Delete disused aerodrome at 531309.00N 0030055.00W as site is no longer visible.

FRANCE
Our Ref: 083525
Year: 2015
Effective: 12/11/2015
Details:
FRANCE
AIR NAVIGATION OBSTACLES
Add the following:
Multi/Lit obstacle at 495020N 0003430E - 660 (397) with annotation WINDFARM
Multi/Lit obstacle at 494055N 0013959E - 1185 (392) with annotation WINDFARM

IRELAND
Our Ref: 085921
Year: 2015
Effective: 12/11/2015
Details:
IRELAND
AIR NAVIGATION OBSTACLES
Add the following:
Multi/Lit obstacle at 551531N 0070229W - 1005 (381) - with annotation WINDFARM
Single/Unlit obstacle at 531542N 0065935W - 558 (329)
Multi/Unlit obstacle at 542035N 0080758W - 1542 (394) with annotation WINDFARM
Multi/Lit obstacle at 540501N 0065225W - 1165 (348) with annotation WINDFARM
Multi/Lit obstacle at 532144N 0071420W - 591 (329)
Multi/Unlit obstacle at 531700N 0070730W - 558 (329)
Multi/Lit obstacle at 524025N 0063612W - 1392 (411) - with annotation WINDFARM
Amend the following:
Add heights of 814 (414) to Multi/Unlit obstacle at 543135N 0081106W - with annotation WINDFARM
Change Single/Unlit obstacle at 531624N 0071407W with heights 762 (493) to Multi/Unlit obstacle with heights 775 (512) - with annotation WINDFARM
Change Single/Unlit obstacle at 535244N 0083456W with heights 660 (397) to Multi/Unlit obstacle with heights 670 (407) - with annotation WINDFARM

POLE HILL (POL) VOR (534437.56N 0020611.98W)
Our Ref: 110026
Year: 2015
Effective: 23/11/2015
Details:
POLE HILL (POL) VOR (534437.56N 0020611.98W)
Update to the declination setting of POL VOR from 2.3W to 1.3W.

TIREE (TIR) VOR (562935.56N 0065232.12W)
Our Ref: 110407
Year: 2015
Effective: 23/11/2015
Details:
TIREE (TIR) VOR (562935.56N 0065232.12W)
Update to the declination setting of TIR VOR from 4.4W to 4.2W.

HOY/LONGHOPE
Our Ref: 112500
Year: 2015
Effective: 18/11/2015
Details:
HOY/LONGHOPE
Delete disused aerodrome at 584719.00N 0031316.00W as site is no longer visible.

LONDON AIRSPACE MANAGEMENT PROGRAMME (LAMP) PHASE 1a
Our Ref: 191234
Year: 2015
Effective: 04/02/2016
Details:
LONDON AIRSPACE MANAGEMENT PROGRAMME (LAMP) PHASE 1a
See AIC Y076/2015 for details on changes to controlled airspace.

DUNGANNON
Our Ref: 073448
Year: 2015
Effective: 10/12/2015
Details:
DUNGANNON
Add unlicensed civil aero site at 542838.75N 0064439.81W with an elevation of 166 ft amsl.

BATTLEFLAT
Our Ref: 095428
Year: 2016
Effective: 13/01/2016
Details:
BATTLEFLAT
Delete unlicensed civil aero site at 524151.00N 0012107.00W, with elevation of 525 ft amsl, due to site no longer in use. Do not show as disused as it is no longer visible.

BROWN SHUTTERS FARM
Our Ref: 105420
Year: 2016
Effective: 09/02/2016
Details:
BROWN SHUTTERS FARM
Add unlicensed civil aero site at 511837.40N 0021833.40W with an elevation of 376 ft amsl.

COTTAGE FARM
Our Ref: 085818
Year: 2016
Effective: 22/02/2016
Details:
COTTAGE FARM
Add unlicensed civil aero site at 524010.66N 0013117.18W with an elevation of 334 ft amsl.

FRANCE
Our Ref: 093334
Year: 2016
Effective: 31/03/2016
Details:
FRANCE
Remove DEAUVILLE TMA 3 and CHERBOURG CTR due to withdrawal from service.


Thursday 23 July 2015

UK Airspace update 23/07/15

Here is a link to a full set of updated files which should simply replace any existing ones. Install instructions included as well....

https://www.dropbox.com/s/4ao55vsirtydtic/UK%20Airspace%20Boundaries.zip?dl=0

Changes included in this update:

AERODROME TRAFFIC ZONES (ATZ)
Effective: 25/06/2015
Details:AERODROME TRAFFIC ZONES (ATZ)
Coningsby - delete 120.800, insert 124.675

SYERSTON
Effective: 30/04/2015
Details:SYERSTON
Change frequency for glider site at 530124N 0005442W from 125.425 MHz to 128.525 MHz

AERODROME TRAFFIC ZONES (ATZ)
Effective: 25/06/2015
Details:AERODROME TRAFFIC ZONES (ATZ)
Remove Wyton ATZ.

SHOBDON (EGBS)
Effective: 23/07/2015
Details:SHOBDON (EGBS)
A/G service to be removed. Amend entry in ATZ list in Legend to read "SHOBDON (EGBS)..... AFIS 123.500".

WITTERING (EGXT)
Effective: 23/07/2015
Details:WITTERING (EGXT)
Change frequency for military aerodrome at 523645N 0002836W from 125.525 to 119.675.

ATS ROUTE N42
Effective: 25/06/2015
Details:ATS ROUTE N42
Lower limit of airway raised to FL145 along whole length.

ATS ROUTE L175
Effective: 28/05/2015
Details:ATS ROUTE L175
L175 is to be redesignated as P2.

IRELAND
Effective: 28/05/2015
Details:IRELAND
ATS ROUTE L175
Lower ATS route L175 will be renamed P2.

Thursday 30 April 2015

Jersey Update

I've purchased the UK2000 version of EGJJ Jersey airport to see how it fits with my island.  There were some terrain problems with some cliffs visible, especially at the end of runway 08 when used with my custom mesh.  The default mesh looks rather flat and horrible when used with the terrain blend provided by the UK2000 team.  Even the blend provided for us with the Pilot's mesh doesn't bear any real resemblance to reality.

So, I decided to mod the terrain to make it better.

This is how it looks with just my mesh and the UK2000 airport..

This is how it look on a real life approach..

This is how it looks now after my modifications...there are a few more tweaks required but overall its much much better I think.

 
Here's a video of it in sim...   https://youtu.be/S2ZHKTvrEaI

Wednesday 15 April 2015

Jersey Update - Watermasks

I have been working away 15-20 minutes a day updating the watermask for Jersey so that it is completely accurate to the imagery in FSET.

This is quite time consuming, but I will end up with a really good watermask that looks the part from low level, especially when I add in all the offshore rocks.  Here's a pic showing the parts of the coastline which have been updated so far (shown with the thick red line).  There's still some way to go yet!

Thursday 2 April 2015

UK Airspace Project Updates

I've now completed the ENR5.1 Danger, Restricted and Prohibited areas, as well as updated the class D airspace changes that are effective today for EGMC Southend airport.

Project completeness to date (02/04/15)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Here's a link to the most up to date files - no instructions yet

IMPORTANT : PLEASE LEAVE ME A QUICK COMMENT IF YOU FIND THIS USEFUL - let's be honest, it's free and updates will only be made for as long as it's appreciated.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/vw2sfmt3soo4kcd/UK%20Airspace%20Scenery%20%28updated%20020415%29.zip?dl=0

3 files need to replace default files shipped with FSX/P3D (backup first please!)

BNXWorld0_amended.BGL should replace BNXWorld0.BGL
(This deletes aerodrome default airspace information)

BNXWorld1_amended.BGL should replace BNXWorld0.BGL
(This deletes other default airspace information)

bvcf_amended.BGL should replace bvcf.BGL
(This deletes default 'center' airspace information)

All other BGL's just need to be added to an active scenery folder - the related section number of the AIP is in each filename.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

EGMC changes...

ENR5.1 Danger areas...

ENR5.1 Prohibited and Restricted areas...


Sunday 15 March 2015

UK Airspace - How did I do it?

The key to quickly covering an entire country using real world data was a spreadsheet I created.


As you can see there is an input section at the top left.  All I need to do is cut and paste the info from the Aeronautical Information Publication for the UK (available at http://www.nats-uk.ead-it.com/public/index.php.html)

If I include a comms frequency it will automatically include that as well.

All I need to do is press a key and the spreadsheet will output the correctly formatted xml code for use in flight sim for that airspace.  All that needs to be done is to cut and paste that into a txt document and drop it onto bglcomp.exe from the SDK.

Hey presto! There is then a nice bgl to use in your preferred simulator....

Obviously all the magic happens on a sheet behind this one!!!!

UK Airspace Scenery Project

As most people are aware, the default data shipped with FSX/P3D dates back to 2006 at the latest and probably some before that!

For the past couple of months I have been quietly working on a not so little project to update the airspace in FSX/P3D so that it matches the real world as defined in the UK AIP. 

I have first removed all default data relating to the UK from the stock files.

To date, I have added up to date information contained in:

ENR2.1 - All class A airspace and TMAs etc.
ENR2.2 - Government aerodromes and Military Aerodrome Traffic Zones.
ENR3.1 - UK Lower Airways (surface to FL195)
AD2 - Aerodrome controlled airspace.
ENR6 - Altimeter setting regions

This all works in the simulator GPS units etc, as well as in external flight planner that scan scenery files, such as Plan-G. (Shown below - all UK data shown is bespoke updated material)

 
Still to be added are:
ENR4.1 - Radio Navigation Aids (Default data to be updated where necessary)
ENR4.4 - Name code designators for significant points ((Default data to be updated where necessary)
ENR5.1 - Prohibited, Restricted and Danger areas
ENR5.2 - Military Exercise and Training areas
ENR5.3 - Other activities of a dangerous nature
ENR5.5 - Aerial sporting and recreational activities
ENR5.6 - Bird migration and areas with sensitive fauna