Tom Szczypinski

In the UK, we have 5 different classifications of airspace in use; A, C, D, E, G. The classification of the airspace within a FIR determines the flight rules which apply and the minimum air traffic services which are to be provided. These allow us to better manage traffic flow, and ensure only the appropriate aircraft are in places they should be in. The 5 classifications can be broken down into Controlled Airspace (A, C, D & E) and Outside Controlled Airspace (G). The use of Class F airspace was stopped in 2014, and as such Class G is the only OCAS classification. At first glance, the chart on the right can seem daunting. It can be broken-down into smaler chunks, so that it's easier to deal with. The chart is divided top-bottom with IFR-VFR. This refers to the Instrument and Visual Flight Rules that an aircraft may fly under. Left and Right sides are divided into CAS and OCAS. Once again, only one class of airspace is available outside of controlled airspace. Let's take a deeper dive into these classifications, and see what they're all about.

Inside the FIRs themselves, we have different sectors that ATC use. These make it even easier to manage traffic, as it is broken down into smaller chunks, and resources can be placed where required. Altogether, the UK has more than 15 parent sectors, which also can be further broken down into sub-sectors. POSCON UK does not simulate all of these sectors, as it is not necessary to break down the traffic to such a high level as it is in the real-world. However, many of our sectors will still have similair names, such as Daventry, Worthing, Lakes and Deancross. Air Traffic Controllers (ATCOs) and Flight Information Services Officers (FISOs) are allocated to Sectors to advise and guide the aircraft flying in them. The number, type and skills of those allocated to a Sector will vary depending on the nature of airspace it covers. Airspace Sectors can be created and reduced dynamically to deal with demand. For example, in times when there are high levels of air traffic, more sectors may be opened with more Controllers allocated to manage the aircraft within an area of airspace. This is done to maintain safety as a Controller can only manage a certain number of aircraft at one time. On POSCON, sectors will often be grouped together, or "band-boxed" to reach as many pilots as reasonably possible.

In the UK, we have two Flight Information Regions (FIRs); London - EGTT, and Scottish - EGPX The London FIR covers the English Channel, all the way to Newcastle. The Scottish FIR covers the whole of Scotland, as well as Northern Ireland and the Scottish Oceanic airspace. This makes it easier to manage controllers and pilots, especially as they are controlled from two seperate locations (Swanwick and Prestwick). Please Note: Shanwick Oceanic (EGGX) is controlled by the UK in the real-world, however POSCON is yet to simulate Oceanic control.

ATZ/CTZ: Aerodrome Control Zones afford protection to aircraft within the immediate vicinity of aerodromes. CTA: Control Areas are situated above the Aerodrome Traffic Zone (ATZ) and afford protection over a larger area to a specified upper limit. Terminal Control Areas are normally established at the junction of airways in the vicinity of one or more major aerodromes. Airways: Airways are corridors of airspace connecting the Control Areas and link up with airways in other countries too. Airways are normally 10 miles wide and have bases usually between 5,000 feet and 7,000 feet and they extend upward to a height of 24,500 feet. Upper Air Routes (UAR): Upper air routes (UARs) sit above airways. Their vertical limits are usually FL 250 (25,000 feet) – FL 460 (46,000 feet). Civil and military aircraft operating above FL 245 (24,500 feet) are subject to a full and mandatory Air Traffic Control Service. All airspace above 24,500 feet is Class C controlled airspace. Restricted Airspace: Sometimes reffered to as "Danger Zones," these areas prevent aircraft straying into dangerous places. Danger can come from airborne activities, such as military aircraft training or air-to-air refuelling. It can also come from the ground, such as from weapons testing ranges. To ensure efficient use of the airspace, most Restricted areas can be deactivated when they are not in use, allowing other aircraft to then use the airpsace.

When talking about airspace, it is easy to forget about the different types of airspace that we have; not just classifications, but also the actual structure that is used. Very often, controlled airspace is divided into types or "sections", depending on the location (both geographical and altitude location) and the function it provides. In the UK, we have a few noteworthy types of airspace; Aerodrome Traffic Zone (ATZ) Control Zone (CTZ) Control Area (CTA) Airways Upper Air Routes (UAR) Restricted Airspace These are listed in a bottom-top order, with the exception of Restricted Airspace, which can be a part of any of the other types of airspace, at any location. As a controller, it is important to know the different types of airspace, as it allows you to increase your awareness. It's also good to know where the types of airspace are commonly found.

A: Great question! POSCON has provided a manual for using the radar client, which you can always reference back to. If you are still having issues, be sure to let our community know, who will be always able to help you out!

A: At the moment, there is no other radar client than the one provided, and there are no immediate plans for a different client/theme. We appreciate that the client simulates US-based software, rather than European-based software, and can be a bit intimidating. However, after a little bit of practice, we're sure it'll grow on you!

A: The Sector File is still in development, and as such we cannot guarantee all airports being present yet. We are always trying our best to add as many as we can, though this takes a little bit of time. You can always take a look at the progress on the GitHub page, or even try helping out!

A: Sorry about that! As we are still developing, not all airports will have documentation yet. We are working on it, and constantly creating new SOPs and docs for you to read and use! We ask that you're patient with us, and in the meantime ask our friendly community for any information you may need.

A: It sure can! Let a member of the Division Staff Team know the airport you are trying to log onto, and we will try our best to get this added as soon as we can. Sometimes, this may take a little bit of time for us to process. As the Division develops, we will keep adding new airports and positions.

This FAQ will cover Divisional questions frequently made by our members, but be sure to check out the POSCON network FAQ too, if the infromation you are looking for is not on this section. If you have a question you think should be on here, be sure to let a member of the Division Staff Team know!

The CAA publishes CAPs to ensure the UK airspace is as safe and efficient as possible, while standardising all activities in the UK aviation sector. These are usually long documents, however there are a few to be aware of, and may be helpful on your journey in POSCON UK. While we do not expect members to read CAPs cover-to-cover, all ATC procedures within POSCON UK are derived from these publications, and as such they will always contain the most up-to-date information.

Air Traffic Control in the UK plays a major role worldwide; with the third largest aviation network in the world, and more than 80% of transatlantic flights crossing our airspace, it is paramount that all ATC systems and procedures are well-equipped to deliver excellent and efficient service. There are multiple organisations that contribute to the procedures and systems that the UK has in-place. It is noteworthy to know some of these, as you may come across them within the community, and while controlling on the network.

Welcome to the POSCON UK ATC Training Centre The following sections will help you develop your skills and knowledge of controlling in the United Kingdom, while allowing you to apply these concepts in a practical environment on the live network. The purpose of the Training Centre is to allow you to learn new things at your own pace, and be able to always have a central location for helpful resources. Whether just starting out or already a Pro, you can use these sections as a reference or refresher of any procedures in the UK. The POSCON UK Controller SOPs are derived from real-world ATC procedures, with the help of information collated from publicly available documentation, as well as knowledge from our members involved in the aviation industry. If you believe that there is some useful information missing, or perhaps have follow-up questions to any of the content, then please do not hesitate to reach out to our community, or ask the Divisional Staff Team directly. These training resources are still under development. Please Note: The POSCON Network has no centralised training policy as of yet. As the network develops, this may be introduced at a later stage.