New Cloud-flyin ules
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IN our tenth monthly air-transport supplement we gave details of the new controlled zone which has been introduced in the region of Croydon Airport for operation in cceiditions of bad visibility. A further indication of how the, increasing air traffic in this country is rendering necessary more strict control of flying is given by Notice to Airmen No. 92, issued by the Air Ministry on December 29. This seeks to place a closer supervision on all flying in cloud, both civil and military, and for this purpose the country is divided into two sections, the first being that portion of south-east England over which the Continental routes pass, and the second the rest of the country.
At once we see that where regular air routes are in intensive operation special measures become necessary, and a natural conclusion is that if, as is anticipated, several -new schedule air services commence in the spring, much B34 thought will have to be given to regularizing the use of the air.
The London-Continent airway area is clearly marked on the accompanying map. No cloud flying for practice or instruction should take place within this area. Aircraft not equipped with radio
should not fly through cloud except in emergency. Radio-equipped aeroplanes other than those operating on the Continental services are advised to notify their position to the Control Officer at Croydon before entering cloud, and to agree their intended track, ground speed and altitude. •
Over the rest of Great Britain, except in emergency, aircraft on crossminty flights should avoid flying in cloud at a greater height above ground level than 2,000 ft., whilst operators of civil aircraft who intend to maintain or are maintaining regular services, and whom the above rule may inconvenience, are requested to make application to the Air Ministry in order that special arrangements may be made.
A general rule to keep all cloud flying for practice and instruction at a greater. height than 2,000 .ft. above ground level reduces the risk of interference with cross-country aircraft. Civil flying schools and clubs are allotted areas, shown on the accompanying map, within which their ,aircraft should normally carry out cloudflying practice, under • the control of the instructor. These are called "civil areas," and other aircraft should not carry out practice or instructional cloud flying within these areas without prior consent.
On Mondays, Fridays and Wedues
day mornings civil aircraft are advised to confine all cloud-flying practice to these "civil areas," because R.A.F. aircraft may be flying in cloud above 2,000 ft. anywhere in Great Britain except in these areas and in the Continental-air-route area.
On Tuesdays, Wednesday afternoons, Thursdays and Saturday mornings civil aircraft, unless carrying out cloudflying practice within a civil area, are asked to avoid practice flying in cloud within any of the R.A.F. areas shown; whilst during week-ends, from Saturday noon to Monday noon, they are advised to avoid all R.A.F. areas shown on the map as being in continuous use.