Region V: Europe

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Regional Leads

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  • Region V (EUR) Lead: Steven K. Thorpe, Merck & Co., Inc.
Operator Comments Requested Regarding 8.33 kHz Channels Below FL 195 in Europe
January 5, 2010

Eurocontrol is requesting comments, by March 22, 2010, from aircraft operators regarding the proposed 8.33 kHz channel spacing implementation in Europe.  The draft document outlines the proposed timeline and requirements for both airborne and ground based very high frequency (VHF) radios.  For more information on reviewing the document, and for contact information for feedback, click here.

Eurocontrol Increasing Route Charges in 2010
December 7, 2009
The European Business Aviation Association (EBAA) has reported that Eurocontrol will adopt an increase of 2.7 percent in the unit rate of its en route charges beginning with December 2009 flights. The average weighted unit rate is expected to be approximately 57 euros ($85), but, the unit rate will vary by aircraft weight and the member states in which flights operate. EBAA also reports that European aviation associations are pressing their own national ANSPs to control costs during these financially constrained times. NBAA has long promoted building upon the stable and reliable fuel tax for funding the FAA and modernization of the U.S. aviation system. For additional details and a calculator of approximate charges in Europe, view the Eurocontrol notice.
European Countries Adding Time to Submit ETS Plans
August 18, 2009
Authorities in Germany, Sweden and Italy will provide more time for operators to submit annual emissions-monitoring plans and optional emissions-benchmarking plans for compliance with the European Union's Emissions Trading Scheme (EU ETS). Aircraft operators assigned to Sweden for ETS administration must submit their plan(s) by October 15, 2009. Italy now requires operators to submit their plan(s) no later than September 30, 2009. Germany and the UK have not set a specific date, but Germany's will be in late September or early October 2009 and the UK in late November 2009. Those operators required to comply with the EU ETS assigned to other EU member states should plan to submit their annual emissions monitoring plan and optional emissions benchmarking plan by the original deadline of August 31, 2009. For more information, visit: www.nbaa.org/ets
 
French Visas No Longer Needed for Business Aircraft Flightcrews
August 10, 2009
As of August 1, U.S. citizen airline crew members, as well as flightcrews of business aircraft on duty for their companies, no longer need a visa to operate in France or in transit via France. Crew members who already made visa appointments with the French General Consulate in Washington, D.C. are kindly requested to cancel them in order to free slots for other applicants. For additional information, visit: http://www.consulfrance-washington.org/spip.php?article403
 
New Resource Available Regarding UK Fuel Taxes
April 10, 2009
UK fuel taxes use different nomenclature than US operators would normally expect. In essence, for the purposes of fuel tax collection in the UK a business aircraft is considered as being in support of a “commercial” entity and the term “private” for these purposes, only applies to flying for pleasure. The tax difference is significant and in this case is beneficial to business or commercial operators. For additional details see the resource on UK fuel taxes.
Get the Latest on the EU’s Developing Aviation Emissions Program
April 10, 2009
As NBAA has previously reported, policymakers in the U.S. and around the world continue to closely examine aviation emissions as part of an overall review of all carbon emissions from transportation. In the European Union (EU), consensus is emerging around a plan for aviation known as the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS), which could apply to NBAA Members and others with flights to, from or within EU states by 2012. Under the plan, each operator would be assigned to one of the states for the program’s administration. Some NBAA Members have recently advised the Association that the UK has sent letters requesting point-of-contact information as part of the program. NBAA has created an EU ETS web resource to explain what the program means for NBAA Members flying to the EU, answer common questions about the plan, and outline what NBAA is doing to advocate for the industry. View the resource.
New Air Traffic Services Outside Controlled Airspace to be Implemented for Flights in the UK
December 23, 2008
In order to provide a single set of clearly defined Air Traffic Services Outside Controlled Airspace (ATSOCAS) for use by all controllers, flight information service officers and pilots in the UK, a single suite of services (Basic Service, Traffic Service, Deconfliction Service and Procedural Service) has been created. Beginning on March 12, 2009, these services (excluding aerodrome services) will be the only air traffic service provided in class F and class G airspace within the UK flight information region. Until March 12, 2009 the existing ATSOCAS services are still available and can be used as needed. More.
P-RNAV Implementation in London Terminal Control Area Planned
March 24, 2008
In March 2009, the United Kingdom National Air Traffic Services (NATS) plans to introduce precision area navigation (P-RNAV) procedures in the London terminal maneuvering area, known as TC North. This will affect operations at Heathrow (LHR), Luton (LTN), Stansted (STN), London City (LCY) and Northolt (NHT) airports. To better manage traffic, P-RNAV standard terminal arrival (STAR) and standard instrument departure (SID) procedures will be utilized in this area. To make use of these procedures, operators must receive P-RNAV approval. Once P-RNAV procedures are implemented, operators that do not hold the required approvals may face delays and longer routings. Federal Aviation Administration Advisory Circular 90-96A, available on the NBAA web site, provides information on P-RNAV operations and approvals.
Is a Mode S Exemption Available for Operators Who Rarely Fly in Europe?
March 19, 2007
Eurocontrol offers an occasional access exemption to the Mode S enhanced surveillance (EHS) requirement for U.S. operators who are scheduled to fly less than 30 hours per year in European Mode S-designated airspace. In order to qualify for this exemption, the aircraft must be equipped with Mode S elementary surveillance (ELS). When granted, the occasional access exemption is valid until March 31 of the year following that in which it was granted. Upon submission of proper documentation to Eurocontrol, the exemption may be renewed. Operators are reminded that the deadline for compliance with Mode S requirements is March 31. Aircraft operating in Mode S-designated airspace must either meet the equipage requirements or receive an exemption from Eurocontrol prior to March 31. For more information, visit the NBAA Mode S Web Resource.
Permanent Introduction of the 250 Knot Departure Speed Restriction in the London TMA
January 16, 2007
After a 9 month trial to assess the operational impact of adhering to the 250 knot departure speed restriction below FL100 on SIDs from Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, Luton, London City and Northolt airports, it has been decided to introduce the trial as a permanent procedure. All aircraft will be expected to maintain 250 knots on departure, but pilots may request a higher speed for operational or safety requirements only. For more information, contact NAT’s Richard Schofield at richard.j.schofield@nats.co.uk or Bill Stine at bstine@nbaa.org.
Airline-Style Security Causes Hang-ups for Business Aviation in EU
November 13, 2006
The revised European Commission security guidelines relating to liquids entering security-restricted areas, which became effective on November 6, are now being applied to business aviation in some locations. Certain airports in the EU, particularly in Denmark and Germany, are requiring aircrews to present themselves at the security points while passengers are screened and to declare that they have no objection to the items being carried on board the aircraft, even in hold baggage. They also are completely banning the items from cabin baggage in line with airline procedures. NBAA, EBAA and IBAC will continue to work with EU authorities to develop appropriate security measures for business aviation. For more information or to submit comments on this issue, contact NBAA’s Operations Service Group at info@nbaa.org or view the EU security poster.
NATS Issues Notice on Using Satellite Phones to Alert UK ATC of Radio Failure
November 6, 2006
In response to an increase in the number of aircraft experiencing prolonged loss of communication while in UK controlled airspace, NATS has issued a safety notice which provides details of how pilots of aircraft equipped with a satellite telephone can contact ATC in the UK if they are ever faced with this situation. For more information, view the notice (PDF, 125 KB).
NATS Survey Highlights Need for Flight Crews to Include Cleared Flight Level on Initial Contact
November 6, 2006
A recent survey conducted by NATS to determine how frequently air traffic controllers have to confirm a cleared level because it was not included in the first transmission by a pilot revealed that in 73% of reports pilots failed to correctly state their cleared level. In 20% of the reports, pilots incorrectly read back a level change clearance or stated an incorrect level on first contact. By ensuring that the content of the first transmission with each ATC sector contains the correct information and by ensuring that the read back of clearances is correct, pilots can reduce the risk of a level bust occurring and assist in reducing frequency congestion. For more information, view the notice (PDF, 45 KB).
UK Altitude Deviations Continue to Escalate
July 31, 2006
The UK National Air Traffic Control Services (NATS) has taken steps to stem the increase of altitude deviations (those 300 feet or more from the assigned level, known in the UK as "level busts"). From 2003 through 2005, the number of deviations experienced went from 203 to 390 per year and as of July 2006, there have been 266 such occurrences. Between 2003 and 2006, private operators made up 5.3 percent of total UK operations but were credited with 14.2 percent of the errors. To address this issue, NATS has provided guidance and training for those operating in the UK. To review statistics and guidance material, U.S. operators planning to operate in the UK are encouraged to review the NATS web site at http://www.levelbust.com.