More on the maps
We have used maps and a post code search facility to better illustrate the changes we have proposed and to make them more straightforward to understand.
This facility should help answer the following questions:
- Are there flight paths above me now that might change?
- Will I be affected by flight paths as a result of the proposed changes?
Once you have put in your postcode you will see on the left hand side a list of those routes covering this area that might change. There is the option to see the current situation as well as how it would look if the proposal is approved.
The maps show any part of a route up to 7000ft which is the scope of this consultation.
The coloured areas
The coloured areas represent where aircraft might be seen on a regular basis. There are circumstances where aircraft are routed without restriction in order to maintain safety - such as to avoid bad weather or to maintain separation. However, it would be rare for aircraft following this particular route to go outside the coloured areas shown.
Normal and off peak operations
These diagrams show a distinction between the spread of aircraft during 'normal' and 'off peak' periods:
- Normal operations: this is when the airspace is busy because of a high demand from aircraft and the flight paths are generally concentrated over a narrower, more defined swathe.
- Off-Peak: this is when the airspace has less demand placed upon it - at night or other periods during the day when there are fewer aircraft flying; these flight paths are more variable as air traffic control give more direct routes to reduce fuel burn and emissions.
The normal operation generally starts after 6am and ceases around midnight though there may be lulls within this period. As the majority of flights occur during the normal operation period, this grouping of flights also makes up the majority of flights on any given route.
The black and red lines
The area between the black lines is where the majority of aircraft fly during normal operations and the red line is the published centre line of the route. Red circles show holds on maps where they are relevant.
There are no set routes for arrivals from the holds to the runways, so there are no red lines for the existing arrivals. However, the proposal does include a published route that would be regulary used so a red line is shown on the proposed flight paths for arrivals.
The colour coding shows a worst case for aircraft heights (the lowest expected); the actual height most aircraft achieve will be above this.
The un-shaded areas denote where aircraft on this specific route are not anticipated to be seen on a regular basis.
Traffic on other routes may pass through the areas shown at a variety of different heights and there are also numerous routes unaffected by this proposal. These routes are not illustrated with maps.
To find more detail about the frequency of flights through these areas and the effects of noise, please read the relevant sections of the full consultation document.
The maps are based on a number of assumptions and approximations to make them easy to interpret but they do not provide the complete technical information relating to the changes.
Aviation specialists and anyone wanting technical details will need to look at the full document for details of the proposal.