CAA Approves Cranfield Instrument Approach

The UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has approved a proposal from Cranfield Airport to introduce Instrument Approach Procedures (IAPs) to Runway 03 at the airport. The IAPs will consist of a NDB/DME and a RNAV (Global Navigation Satellite System) procedure.

The CAA has made the change in order to provide a full instrument approach capability to Runway 03. The current arrangement requires that, when the runway is in use, aircraft must make an instrument approach to Runway 21 followed by a visual circling manoeuvre to land on Runway 03. In comparison, the new procedures will make landing at Cranfield easier and safer.

Stuart Lindsey, Head of the Controlled Airspace Section at the CAA, said: “The new procedures at Cranfield will significantly improve the airport’s ability to carry out operations in poor weather conditions.”

The airspace change approval follows an extensive consultation carried out by the airport. The CAA considers that the introduction of the IAPs is likely to have a negligible impact on local airspace users and the non-aviation community in the area, but nonetheless the change will be subject to a review after the IAPs have been in place for a year.

The NDB/DME procedure is planned to implemented on 28 June 2012 and the RNAV (GNSS) procedures on 26 July 2012.

Charts showing the new IAPs will be available on the Aeronautical Information Service website www.ais.org.uk 28 days before the implementation dates.

The CAA has also published its official decision letter explaining the change.

Source: CAA Newsroom