Annex FF to
Defence Aerodrome Manual
GENERAL ORDERS
TERMS AND CONDITIONS – USE OF MOD AERODROMES BY CIVIL AIRCRAFT, GLIDING CENTRE AND MODEL FLYING CLUB
General Conditions (Terms and Conditions) for Civilian Operators
1. The use of MOD aerodromes by civil aircraft is governed by Use of Military Airfields by British and Civil Foreign Aircraft.
2. The Terms and Conditions below may be varied at any time by the Aerodrome Operator to reflect any changes, amendments or additions to working practices at the specific aerodrome.
3. Station operating Hours during Winter are as follows:
Mon – Thurs 0830 – 1700
Friday 0830 – 1400
4. Operational Support is not available to Civil Aircraft
5. RNAS Culdrose has limited passenger handing and should be negotiated by prior arrangement.
6. Animal Handling is not available to Civil Aircraft
7. Refuelling Services are available to Civil Aircraft with prior arrangemnt
8. Catering facilities are not available to Civil Aircraft
9. Aircraft maintenance is not available to Civil Aircraft
10. RNAS Culdrose has limited aircraft handling facilities and should be negotiated by prior arrangement.
11. RNAS Culdrose has an active Flight Safety Policy and further details can be found in the RNAS Culdrose Air Safety Management Plan
12. All Civil Aircraft users are to provide evidence of Airworthiness by way of insurance certificates and MOT documents in advance.
13. Whilst the AO will use all reasonable endeavors to advise Civilian Users of any changes to the Terms and Conditions, it will be for the Civilian Users to ensure that they are aware of extant Terms and Conditions. The AO shall not be liable for any loss or damage (whether direct or indirect) arising out of any change in the Terms and Conditions.
14. All Civilian Users are to operate in accordance with extant DfT NASP and wider ATSy protocols.
15. RNAS Culdrose is available to civilian operators as follows:
Mon – Thurs 0830 – 1700
Fri 0830 – 1400
It is not available at weekends or on Public Holidays.
16. The ICAO Crash Category of RNAS Culdrose is 5.
17. Charter Airline Operations are permitted to operate from the aerodrome with PPR.
18. Scheduled Aircraft operations are not permitted without prior approval.
19. RNAS Culdrose does not have permanent HMRC, UK Border Agency or civilian police presence.
20. In the event of a Local or National Emergency, whether declared or not, the aerodrome may be closed to civilian operations. A non-exhaustive list of potential circumstances include:
20.1 Loss of appropriate Fire or Crash cover.
20.2 Repatriation of troops.
20.3 Loss of power to all, or parts, of the aerodrome.
20.4 Interruptions in communications both within the aerodrome and with external agencies.
20.5 Unforeseen natural disasters (flooding etc).
20.6. Unforeseen national epidemics (swine flu/bird flu).
21. In the event of such closure all access to the aerodrome for any reason whatsoever may be restricted and no liability is accepted for any loss or damage (whether direct or indirect) arising.
CULDROSE GLIDING CENTRE
22. Powered Light Aircraft Operations Private Fixed Wing aircraft based at Culdrose may be kept on the Station, providing the following criteria are met:
a. Written permission is obtained from the Head of Establishment
b. The requirements of Use of Military Airfields by British and Civil Foreign Aircraft are approved by HQ Air Command and confirmation is held by Flight Planning before the airfield is used for the first time.
c. The owner is to be a member of the Seahawk Gliding Club (SGC) and the aircraft is to appear on the list compiled by the SGC Membership Secretary.
d. Each pilot provides copies of all relevant licences, ratings, insurance and medical certificates to the SGC Membership Secretary. Each pilot is responsible for ensuring he remains in date and provides new copies when required.
23. Permission To Fly When ATC is Open. When Culdrose ATC is fully open, the Pilot is to contact Lt Cdr (Flying), Ext 2152, or the Duty Flying Supervisor (Ops Officer, DLC(F) SATCO or DSATCO) via the ATC switchboard, Ext 2415, to obtain permission to fly.
a. If permission is granted, he is to 'warn out' and pass the following information to the logger:
i. Pilot's name and aircraft callsign.
ii. ETD (state local or Z).
iii. Flight duration and endurance.
iv. Route, including CMATZ departure intentions.
v. ATC requirements including instrument approaches.
vi. Number of persons on board.
b. Immediately before manning his aircraft, the PI/C is to contact the Duty Air Traffic Control Officer (DATCO) via the switchboard (Ext 2415) for a briefing on the current air traffic situation.
c. Once the above preparations have been carried out, pilots are to manually manoeuvre their aircraft as far as possible up the D4 link taxyway to the north of D4 up to the double yellow lines delineating the manoeuvring area. Engines may only be started once in this positionand only when safe to do so. Pilots are to conduct a thorough check for personnel in the immediate area and make a loud call of 'Clear prop' prior to engine start.
24. Flying When ATC Is Closed
a. Permission to Fly. When Culdrose ATC is closed, the Pilot is to contact the DLC(F) via the Main Exchange, Ext 2000, to obtain permission to fly; Flights are to be conducted by day in VMC only. Additionally, the pilot is to telephone the Fire Station on Ext 7108 to inform them of his intentions and request that they monitor the VHF airband radio stating which frequency will be used (130.10 if gliding is taking place, 122.10 when it is not). As part of his pre-flight checks, the pilot is to establish two-way communications on the declared frequency before departure. All operations are carried strictly at own risk.
b. Radio Procedures. Pilots are to monitor Culdrose Approach VHF frequency 134.05 MHz when within the Culdrose MATZ switching to Culdrose Tower VHF frequency 122.10 MHz when within the ATZ (130.10 MHz if gliding operations are taking place). When within the MATZ/ATZ, blind calls are to be made for every phase of flight; e.g. taxy, line-up, 'rolling', down wind (plus intentions – land, touch & go etc.), finals. If, when rejoining the circuit, the pilot is in any doubt as to the level of gliding activity, then a mandatory radio call must be made on 'Culdrose Gliding (130.10 Mhz) to ensure safe de-confliction.
c. Runway Inspection. The pilot is responsible for all FOD prevention measures.
d. Work Services. Work services may be carried out on the airfield outside of normal working hours. It is essential that pilots are familiar with the location of any work in progress sites. They are to check with the DLC(F) for any notified activity prior to flight.
e. Completion of Flying. The pilot is to inform the DLC(F) and the Fire Station that flying operations are complete.
25. Gliding Centre Liaison. The pilot must contact the SGC Duty Instructor (DI) at the Gliding Centre, D3 hangar, or at the Gliding Control Point (Red bus) when gliding is taking place, to safely co-ordinate the day’s activity. Additionally, it is essential that each pilot briefs de-confliction co-ordination with the gliding club prior to his/her individual flight either on the Culdrose Gliding frequency 130.10 MHz prior to taxy/rejoin, or by ‘face-to-face’ briefing prior to flight.
GLIDER FLYING
26. Glider flying may take place on the airfield at weekends, leave periods and in the evenings between day and night flying, and is to be conducted by the SGC Duty Instructor in accordance with MAA RA 2415(3) and 2415(4). 626 Air Training Corps Voluntary Gliding School have permission to operate from Predannack at weekends and during leave periods. Culdrose Gliding Centre and 626 VG may carry out conjoined operations at Predannack.
27. Either the SGC Duty Instructor (DI) or Duty Pilot (DP) must attend any ATC/Met brief in support of flying in the Tower and request permission to operate. Unless permission to commence flying immediately is received, the Gliding Centre Duty Instructor is to contact the DATCO before moving any equipment onto the airfield. The DI/DP is also to phone the Fire Station watchroom on Ext 7108 to inform them of intentions and request them to monitor Culdrose Gliding frequency 130.10 MHz. Two-way communications should be estabished on frequency before gliding commences.
28. The following instructions are to be complied with:
a. Limited Helicopter Flying.
(1) Gliding may continue at the discretion of the Duty Lieutenant Commander (Flying).
(2) Gliders may not be launched by winch or car tow whilst helicopters are in the circuit area.
(3) Gliders may be launched by aero-tow and landed provided that the gliding and helicopter activities are co-ordinated by ATC. Glider activity may be stilled at the DATCO’s discretion.
(4) R/T contact is to be maintained between glider control and the VCP.
(5) DATCO is to warn aircraft joining of current gliding activity on first R/T contact.
b. Limited Fixed-Wing Flying.
(1) Gliding may continue at the discretion of the Duty Lieutenant Commander (Flying).
(2) No glider launches may take place during a fixed-wing aircraft launch.
(3) No glider launches may take place within 10 minutes of the ETA of a fixed-wing aircraft.
(4) The Duty Gliding Instructor is to arrange flights to ensure that gliding ceases in the airfield circuit area 10 minutes before the notified ETA of a fixed-wing aircraft. The 10 minute time factor may be increased by the Duty Lieutenant Commander (Flying) or the DATCO if conditions so warrant, e.g. poor visibility, VIP flight etc.
29. R/T Control of Gliders - Airfield Open. All gliders flying from Culdrose when the airfield is open are to carry a fitted serviceable radio and are to maintain a listening watch on 130.10 Mhz. Air Traffic Control and the Glider Control Position are also to listen out on 130.10 MHz. Before gliding commences, all radios are to be ground tested to ensure that communication exists between Air Traffic Control, Culdrose Gliding and all gliders. The radio in the Glider control bus is to be continuously manned during the period that the airfield is open.
30. Air Traffic Control is to advise Glider Control 20 minutes before aircraft are due to take-off or land. Glider Control is then to carry out the actions listed at paragraph 3, and is also to inform any gliders outside the MATZ to remain clear of the MATZ until ATC give permission for gliding to continue on the airfield.
31. If recalled all gliders are to return to the airfield at the maximum Rough Air Speed marked in the cockpit, with a full brake descent on the dead side of the airfield for a straight in approach.
32. Position Reporting. All gliders are to carry a 1: 500,000 chart with Culdrose and Predannack MATZs depicted.
33. Gliding between Day and Night Flying. The Gliding Duty Instructor is to ascertain the time of night flying and ensure that all gliding is complete and all gear removed from the airfield at least 30 minutes before the airfield is due to re-open.
34. FOD. The Gliding Centre is responsible for making a thorough skirmish of the launch area on completion of flying, and in particular, great care is to be taken to recover all discharged lengths of tow wire.
35. Safety Precautions - Airfield Closed.
a. A Fire Risk assessment has been carried out by the Establishment Fire Safety Advisor (EFSO). First aid fire fighting equipment of specified type and number is provided in each fixed location and carried to the daily launch point. As the Station continues to have 24 hour cover from its own fire station, this remains the primary response to any incidents with contact made either via the main exchange on Ext 2222 or via VHF air band radio as detailed above.
b. The Duty Instructor or Duty Pilot is to be present at the launch point whenever powered aircraft land and take off.
c. All Instructors and personnel qualified to act as Duty Pilot should receive formal training in aircraft fire fighting, at least annually, and a log of such training is to be kept by the Club Secretary.
d. The maximum number of powered aircraft either taking-off, circuiting or landing is not normally to exceed two.
e. The Gliding Duty Instructor is responsible for alerting the Fire Station should assistance be required. The Fire Station will monitor the Culdrose Gliding frequency 130.10 MHz whenever gliding is taking place and the airfield is closed.
f. The Gliding Duty Instructor is to inform the DLC (F) of any incidents, including details of any damage to airfield fittings, e.g. airfield lights.
g. The Gliding Centre is to provide its own Fire fighting equipment at the Tug refuelling point.
h. All emergencies are to be reported via the PBX on Extension 2222. Immediate assistance can be requested from the Fire Station by calling on VHF radio.
36. Fire Precautions and Prevention - Gliding Centre Hangars.
a. Only the diesel powered Centre Bus and Tow Truck may be stowed in the Centre hangar D3. The MOGAS powered quad bike and mobile generators can only be stowed in hangar D4. Their electrical systems must be isolated from their batteries. No other vehicles are allowed in the hangars.
b. Calor gas cylinders are to be removed from the Centre Caravan and are not to be taken into or stowed in the hangar.