IAA Transition Altitude Consultation
A harmonised Transition Altitude (TA) of 18,000ft is proposed across Ireland and the UK, with the intention of enhancing efficiency, both inside and outside controlled airspace, through standardisation of airspace and altimeter setting procedures. This will provide the foundation for future safety, environmental and economic benefits that will be realised through improvements to the vertical profiles of aircraft arrivals and departures in the Shannon FIR (which includes Dublin airspace). It also serves as a platform for future airspace and operating concepts through programmes such as Single European Sky (SES), SES Air Traffic Management Research (SESAR), (Cross Border) Free Route Airspace (FRA) and UK/Ireland Functional Airspace Block (FAB). The Transition Altitude in Ireland is currently 5,000ft and varies from 3,000ft to 6,000ft in the UK.
Ireland has aligned with the UK in introducing a raised TA of 18,000 feet. This will be implemented at a date in the future.
Both the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and the IAA Safety Regulatory Directorate, as the relevant National Supervisory Authorities (NSAs) for UK and Irish states agreed on how the proposal for a raised TA was to proceed. Operational implementation is the responsibility of the respective Air Navigation Service Providers (ANSPs) for each state. The relevant NSAs are responsible for the oversight and consultation development of this proposal and the consultation associated with its introduction. The relevant ANSPs will support the safety assurance aspects and apply normal Safety Management Systems (SMS) provisions for operational implementation.
In advance of the introduction of a raised TA, it has been agreed, in alignment with the UK project team to consult with relevant Irish stakeholders, who may be affected by this raised TA. The term of the process is: 23rd November 2015 to the 24th February 2016. During this period stakeholders are invited to submit comment on the proposal to the following e-mail address: taconsultation@iaa.ie
All submissions will be reviewed and a response issued to the originator.
The supporting documentation for the TA proposal on the IAA website includes:
- IAA TA Consultation Briefing Document December 2015
- The IAA TA Concept of Operations (CONOPS) for a raised TA, dated 9th October 2015
- A list of commonly asked questions and responses
About the Author
Mark Dwyer Mark is an airline pilot flying the Boeing 737 for a major European airline. In addition he is also a Type Rating Instructor, Type Rating Examiner and Base Training Captain on the B737. Outside of commercial flying Mark enjoys flying light aircraft from the smallest 3 Axis microlights up to heavier singles. He is also an instructor and EASA Examiner on single engines and a UK CAA Examiner. He flies the Chipmunk for the Irish Historic Flight Foundation (IHFF). Mark became the Chairman of the National Microlight Association of Ireland (NMAI) in 2013 and has overseen a massive growth in the organisation. In this role he has worked at local and national levels. In 2015, Mark won ‘Upcoming Aviation Professional Award’ at the Aviation Industry Awards sponsored by the IAA. Mark launched this website back in 2002 while always managing the website, he has also been Editor and Deputy Editor of FlyingInIreland Magazine from 2005 to 2015.
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