GEN 3  SERVICES

GEN 3.1 AERONAUTICAL INFORMATION SERVICES

1  Responsible Service
1.1 The United Kingdom Aeronautical Information Service (UK AIS) is operated by NATS Limited. AIS is one of the services specified under the Air Traffic Services Licence granted to NATS by the Secretary of State and regulated by the UK Civil Aviation Authority. The Isle of Man, the Bailiwick of Jersey and the Bailiwick of Guernsey are Crown Dependencies of the United Kingdom and their AIS is provided as an integral part of the UK AIS system.
1.2 UK AIS is located at:
Post: Aeronautical Information Service (AIS),
NATS Swanwick, Sopwith Way, Southampton, Hants, SO31 7AY

Tel:

See paragraph 1.3

AFS:

EGGNYNYX

URL:

www.nats.aero/ais

Email General Enquiries:

aissupervisor@nats.co.uk

Email NOTAM Enquiries:

notam.proposals@nats.co.uk

1.3 Principal UK AIS sections and service hours are as follows:

UK NOTAM Office (NOF/INO)

H24

01489-612488 / 01489-612489

AIS Information Line UK

H24

08085-354802 / 01489-887515

UK AIS Publications Section (AIP/SUP/AIC/etc.)

Monday to Friday (0800-1600)

01489-887462 / aissupervisor@nats.co.uk

UK Charting Section

Monday to Friday (0800-1600)

01489-887463

Foreign AIP Library – Enquiries - UK Registered Airlines Only

aissupervisor@nats.co.uk

www.nats.aero/ais

2  Area of Responsibility
2.1  The UK Aeronautical Information Service
2.1.1 The UK Aeronautical Information Service is responsible for the collection and dissemination of information/data necessary for the safety, regularity and efficiency of air navigation throughout the entire territory and airspace of the UK, UK Crown Dependencies (the Isle of Man and the Bailiwicks of Jersey and Guernsey) and the airspace over the high seas under the jurisdiction of the UK for Air Traffic Control purposes.
2.1.2 In accordance with the requirements of ICAO Annex 15 and of ICAO DOC 10066, PANS AIM Chapter 3, the Aeronautical Information Service Unit has an established Quality Management System, which is certified and registered to International Standards Organisation – ISO 9001: 2015 Standard by DET Norske Veritas (DNV).
2.2  International AIS Products
2.2.1 The UK AIS strongly recommends that the AIS products published directly by the State(s) are consulted during the planning of international flight operations.
2.2.2 It is recommended that the GEN 1.2 section of the AIP published by the State describing Entry, Transit and Departure of Aircraft is consulted in the first instance.
2.2.3 ENR 1.10 and ENR 1.11 sections of the AIP are normally used to publish all flight planning requirements imposed by the State. The information will include all flight planning requirements for visiting, transiting and internal flight operations.
2.2.4 The link below provides information on AIS/AIM offices around the world. The information is divided into sections, where each state is listed alphabetically. The link provides information about AIS websites including contact email addresses. http://www.eurocontrol.int/articles/ais-online.
2.2.5 European AIS Products can be accessed through the contact details and websites of AIS/AIM providers listed at https://www.eurocontrol.int/articles/ais-online.
2.2.6 The UK AIS holds limited CD/DVD supplied by some international AIS offices that do not make their information available via the internet. Further information regarding the availability of this information is available by emailing aissupervisor@nats.co.uk.
3  Aeronautical Publications
3.1 Aeronautical Information Products
3.1.1 The UK AIS operates in accordance with ICAO Annex 15 requirements and publishes aeronautical information as an integrated package.
3.1.2 Aeronautical information products consist of aeronautical data and information provided either as digital data sets or as a standardised presentation in paper or electronic media. Aeronautical information products include:

  1. The Aeronautical Information Publication (AIP), including Amendments and Supplements (see paragraph 3.2, 3.3 and 3.4);

  2. Aeronautical Information Circulars (see paragraph 3.5);

  3. Aeronautical charts;

  4. NOTAM (see paragraph 3.6);

  5. Pre-Flight Information Bulletins (PIB) (see paragraph 3.8);

  6. Check Lists (see paragraph 3.9); and

  7. Digital data sets

3.2  The United Kingdom Aeronautical Information Publication (AIP)
3.2.1 The UK AIP is the official document used to publish Notifications required by the UK Air Navigation Order.
3.2.2 In order to register any permanent changes to the AIP, Information providers are required to register their details via the email support.aissupervisor@nats.co.uk. Changes to the contents of the IAIP can only be accepted from approved sponsors, using the online Portal https://www.aurora.nats.co.uk.

Note: Changes of short term/temporary nature should follow the processes required for submission of NOTAM (see paragraph 3.6).

3.2.3  Civil Aviation Legislation
3.2.3.1 UK legislation makes specific provision in a number of cases for Notification. The term ‘notified’ is defined as set forth in a document published by the Civil Aviation Authority and entitled ‘United Kingdom AIP’. A list of principal civil aviation legislation and air navigation regulations is shown at section GEN 1.6 and references to the legislation under which Notification is made appear, as appropriate, within the UK AIP.
3.2.3.2 Notices relating to the limitation of noise at London Gatwick, London Heathrow and London Stansted aerodromes (Section 78 of the Civil Aviation Act 1982 refers) are required to be published in a format that may not be compatible with the host AIS document. Notices requiring operators of aircraft to ensure that specified requirements for limiting or mitigating the effect of noise and vibration are complied with by aircraft landing or taking off at those designated aerodromes appear in the UK AIP under each of the aerodromes’ item AD 2.21. Notices specifying, for those designated aerodromes, a maximum number of take-offs or landings which may be permitted during specific periods and determining the operators who are entitled to land and take off during these periods and the number of occasions on which their aircraft may take off or land during those periods will appear in UK AIP Supplements.
3.3  UK AIP Amendment Service (AMDT and AIRAC AMDT)
3.3.1 The UK AIP is freely available on the internet http://www.nats.aero/ais. AIP Amendments may contain both AIRAC and Non-AIRAC changes (paragraphs 3.3.2, 3.3.3 and 4 refer). The electronic version will be updated to a specified AIRAC date and the DVD-ROM will also present a preview of AIRAC changes.
3.3.2 The ICAO AIRAC system is used to provide advance notice of the introduction of permanent operationally significant changes on an internationally recognised AIRAC effective date. AIRAC Amendment pages are identified by the footnote AIRAC AMDT and do not replace the existing AIP pages until the AIRAC effective date on which the changes take place. (See also paragraph 3.6.1.2).
3.3.3 Non-AIRAC amendments (AMDT) to the AIP comprise permanent operationally significant changes that have received previous notification by NOTAM and other permanent information that is not required to be announced by NOTAM. Non-AIRAC changes to the AIP are published together with AIRAC changes but may be considered to be effective on or before receipt, unless otherwise indicated. AIP pages (AIRAC and Non-AIRAC) should not be replaced before the stated date of the page.
3.3.4 The AIP Amendment cover sheet will indicate any NOTAM or permanent AIP Supplements that have been incorporated. On each replacement page, changes are either annotated or identified in the outer margin of the page by a vertical line or arrow adjacent to the change/addition/deletion.
3.3.5 Each AIP page is dated to reflect the Amendments AIRAC effective date or AIP insertion date and a complete checklist of AIP pages, relating page reference to date, is reissued with each amendment as AIP section GEN 0.4.
3.3.6 Each combined AIP amendment is allocated an AIRAC Cycle serial number that is consecutive and based on the calendar year.

The Cycle, indicated by two digits, is a part of the serial number of the amendment, eg. AIRAC Cycle 01/2020. When necessary to provide additional advance notice of AIRAC changes, the Amendment may be issued in several parts, each relating to a common effective date. These Amendments will be identified by a part number suffix, eg. AIRAC Cycle 01/2020 Part 1.

3.4  Supplements to the AIP (AIP SUP)
3.4.1 UK AIP Supplements will normally contain temporary changes of long duration (three months or longer) and information of short duration containing extensive text or graphics which affect one or more parts of the AIP. Information must be of operational significance (e.g. major air exercises or aerodrome work programmes) that preclude ‘complete’ promulgation by NOTAM. See also paragraph 3.6.1.2.
3.4.2 UK AIP Supplements are freely available on the internet http://www.nats.aero/ais and are normally issued every 28 days.
3.4.3 AIP Supplements are to be retained for as long as all or some of their contents remain valid. The period of validity of the information contained in the AIP Supplement will normally be given in the Supplement itself. Alternatively, NOTAM may be used to indicate changes to the period of validity or to advise of the cancellation of an AIP Supplement.
3.4.4 A checklist of UK AIP SUP currently in force is normally included within each issue of Supplements.
3.5  Aeronautical Information Circulars (AIC)
3.5.1 As a general rule, AICs refer to subjects of an administrative rather than of an operational nature. They are, however, also used to publish advance warnings of impending operational changes and to add explanations or emphasis on matters of safety or operational significance. Aeronautical chart issues are also notified through the medium of the AIC.
3.5.2 UK AIC are freely available on the internet http://www.nats.aero/ais and are normally issued every 28 days.
3.5.3 AIC serial number are Series, Serial number and year; eg AIC W 076/2020. AIC are colour coded according to their subject matter as follows:

  1. White - Administrative matters (e.g. licence examination dates, services and publications).

  2. Yellow - Operational matters (including ATS facilities and requirements).

  3. Pink - Safety related matters.

  4. Mauve - UK Airspace Restrictions imposed under the Restriction of Flying Regulations.

  5. Green - Maps and Charts.

3.6  NOTAM
3.6.1  General
3.6.1.1 All operationally significant information not covered by AIP Amendment or AIP Supplement will be issued as a NOTAM (via the Aeronautical Fixed Telecommunication Network - AFTN).
3.6.1.2 All operationally significant information issued as AIRAC UK AIP Amendments or UK AIP Supplements will be additionally announced by NOTAM. The NOTAM will give an abbreviated description of the change, condition or activity together with the effective date(s) and the Amendment or Supplement reference number. These ‘trigger’ NOTAM ensure that brief entries appear in the appropriate Pre-flight Information Bulletins (PIB).
3.6.1.3 Trigger NOTAM used for Permanent changes in the AIP will remain valid for a maximum of 14 days after the effective date of change.

Trigger NOTAM used for an AIP Supplement (SUP) will remain valid for a maximum of 14 days after the effective period. If the information published in the SUP exceeds 14 days then the period the SUP is in force shall be indicated in NOTAM field E.
3.6.2  NOTAM Proposals
3.6.2.1 NOTAM Proposals shall be submitted by AFS to EUECYIYP. In the event of an outage to your AFS connection, email submissions will be accepted to notam.proposals@nats.co.uk using the online form.
3.6.2.2 NOTAM Proposals shall be submitted whenever possible, at least 24 HR in advance, to permit timely completion of the notification process and to facilitate airspace utilisation planning.
3.6.3 NOTAM Construction
3.6.3.1 To assist the automated processing of data, ICAO format NOTAM are issued with a 'qualifier line' (identified by the letter 'Q') which is composed by the issuing NOTAM Office (NOF).
3.6.3.2 Three NOTAM types are issued and are identified as follows:

  1. NOTAM N - New information/proposal;

  2. NOTAM R - Replaces a previous NOTAM;

  3. NOTAM C - Cancels a previous NOTAM.

3.6.3.3 For AIS to receive the proposal, the first line of the message must be constructed according to a specific format indicating the type (T) and NOTAM identifier. NOTAM<T> PROPOSAL EGGN <Series>. Content of Series is optional. (See Table below for details of the subject matter of each individual NOTAM Series).

If the first line is incorrect, an automatic rejection will be issued, sent to the AFTN address of the sender, stating the non- compliance, together with instructions of the correct format for re-submission.

The textual content below the first line can take any form, see the examples below:

NOTAMN PROPOSAL EGGN

FROM 0800 ON 23 JAN TIL 2300 ON 24 JAN

E)OBSTACLE ERECTED AT 600FT AMSL, 500FT AGL IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE)

NOTAMN PROPOSAL EGGN A

Q)EGTT/QOBCE/IV/M/E/000/005/XXXXNXXXXXE001

A)EGGN B) 2412121212 C)2412232323

E)THIS OBSTACLE IS IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE)

NOTAMR PROPOSAL EGGN A0123/08

A)EGGN B) 0812121212 C)0812232323

E)CHANGE THE HEIGHT OF THIS OBSTACLE IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE TO 900FT AMSL, 800FT AGL)

NOTAMC PROPOSAL EGGN A0125/08

E)THIS OBSTACLE HAS BEEN REMOVED FROM THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE)

3.6.3.4 

Table – UK NOTAM Series

Series

Content

A

Licensed Aerodromes within the London FIR: Cambridge, Cardiff, Liverpool, London Gatwick, London Heathrow, London Luton, London Stansted, Manchester, Norwich, and Southend.

B

En-route Airspace London FIR/UIR & Scottish FIR/UIR and the Channel Islands Airspace: Regulations & Procedures, En-route Navigation Aids described in ENR 4.1 (Inc. facilities used as Approach Aids), ATS and Air/Ground Communications.

C

Licensed Aerodromes within the London FIR and Channel Islands Aerodromes: Alderney, Biggin Hill, Birmingham, Blackpool, Bournemouth, Bristol, Coventry, East Midlands, Exeter, Farnborough, Guernsey, Humberside, Isle of Man, Jersey, Leeds Bradford, London City, Lydd, Newquay, Shoreham, Southampton and Teesside International.

D

Special Use Airspace within ENR 5.1 and ENR 5.2 not described in Series G or M.

E

Unlicensed Aerodromes within the London FIR and Scottish FIR for the notification of safety related subjects relating to facilities and services.

G

En-route Airspace Shanwick Oceanic FIR: Regulations & Procedures, ATS, Air/Ground Communications, Special Use Airspace within ENR 5.1 and ENR 5.2, and Navigation Warnings and Temporary Danger Areas (TDA).

H

Navigation Warnings (except those catered for in Series G).

I

Licensed Aerodromes within the Scottish FIR.

J

Temporary Danger Areas (TDA), Restricted Areas (Temporary) in the London FIR/UIR & Scottish FIR/UIR.

L

Licensed Aerodromes within the London FIR, not covered in Series A or C.

M

AMC Managed Special Use Airspace within ENR 5.1 and ENR 5.2 including relevant Military Exercises in the London
FIR/UIR & Scottish FIR/UIR.

N

En-route Obstacles and lights above 100 M (328 FT) AGL and En-route Obstacles and lights below 100 M (328 FT) AGL within the UK Military Low Flying System.

U

UK Military Aerodrome, UK Sovereign Bases and Overseas Territories: Gibraltar, Mount Pleasant, Port Stanley and British Antarctica Airstrips Rothera, Halley and Sky Blu.

V

Notification of Security Advice to UK Air Operators by Government to provide guidance/instructions on Airspace Security Risks. Volcanic Ash related information within En-Route Airspace London FIR/UIR, Scottish FIR/UIR, Shannon FIR/UIR and Shanwick Oceanic FIR.

X

Contingency: Series applied in event of unplanned, long-term outage of normal NOTAM production system. Only time critical NOTAM shall be issued during period of outage. Distribution as per all of the above Series.

3.6.3.5 Each NOTAM series resets at the beginning of each calendar year (begins with 0001 on January 1 at 0000 UTC). NOTAM are issued in ascending and continuous sequence in every series.
3.6.3.6 ICAO NOTAM format and conditions require that:

  1. Each NOTAM deals only with one subject and one condition concerning that subject;

  2. NOTAM text is both precise and concise, using plain language and commonly used ICAO Doc 8400 NOTAM abbreviations;

  3. An activity or condition applying ‘with immediate effect’ (WIE) is indicated by a ten figure group (Year/Month/Day/Time) UTC reflecting the actual date/time of NOTAM issue;

  4. All temporary NOTAM must include an expiry date/time. The term 'until further notice' (UFN) shall not be used. If estimated, then a ten figure group will be suffixed by 'EST' (eg 0104032100 EST). NOTAM Sponsors are required to monitor their estimates, and to advise the UK NOTAM Office of any change or cancellation. NOTAM with an estimated expiry date/time, remain in force until cancelled by a NOTAMC or replaced by a NOTAMR;

  5. If information is permanent then the abbreviation ‘PERM’ will appear in the NOTAM.

3.6.3.7 More information about UK NOTAM can be found in the NOTAM Guidance Material part of the AIS website (www.nats.aero/ais).
3.7  SNOWTAM
3.7.1 SNOWTAM messages shall be submitted by the Aerodrome Operator or ATS Unit, using a strict format for automatic processing through the UK NOTAM OFFICE via AFTN using the address EUECYIYP.
3.7.2 The SNOWTAM serial number resets at the beginning of each calendar year (begins with SNOWTAM 0001 on January 1 at 0000 UTC).
3.7.3 More information about reporting of aerodrome surface conditions is provided in AD 1.2 paragraph 2 Runway surface condition assessment and reporting / snow plan.
3.8  Pre-flight Information Bulletins (PIB)
3.8.1 NOTAM are freely available on the Internet http://www.nats.aero/ais in the form of Pre-flight Information Bulletins (PIB). Users are required to register onto the web site in order to obtain a briefing. The UK AIS web site offers several methods by which users can obtain a PIB. Both UK and International NOTAM are available whereby the user inputs selectable parameters in order to obtain Narrow Route/Route/Aerodrome and Area briefings.
3.9  Checklists and lists of valid NOTAM
3.9.1 Checklists are issued as a NOTAM in the series that they refer to on the 1st of every month. Separate Checklists are issued for each NOTAM Series.
3.9.2 NOTAM checklists also contain the list of valid AIP Supplements and AIC.
3.9.3 NOTAM are also automatically transmitted by AFTN to the list of recipients who requested to be on distribution lists. Requests to amend the AFTN distribution lists used for NOTAM shall be directed to the UK AIS NOTAM Office using email address: notam.proposals@nats.co.uk.
3.10  AIS Information Line
3.10.1 The AIS information line is a voice recorded message system, designed to supplement the information available from the AIS website. It is not intended to replace the need to obtain a full briefing.

The message provides information on restricted areas (used to notify Red Arrows activities), airspace upgrades (to notify Royal flights operated in fixed wing aircraft) and emergency restrictions of flying (to prohibit flight in the vicinity of an accident or incident).

Tel: 08085-354802, International +44 (0)1489-887515

The information is recorded by the AIS staff at 1900L for next day’s Airspace Upgrade and/or Restriction of Flying. The current day’s information is updated during the day should any change or addition be required.

4  AIRAC System
4.1 AIRAC AIP Amendments are originated and distributed by AIS with the objective of reaching chart producers and data handlers at least 28 days in advance of the effective date. Information Providers should note that strict adherence to both the AIRAC publication and effective dates is essential if the information is to be incorporated in flight-deck documentation and flight management systems by the effective date of the selected AIRAC Cycle.
4.2 The information listed below is required by ICAO to be published and brought into effect in accordance with the AIRAC System.

  1. The establishment and withdrawal of, and predetermined significant changes (including operational trials) to:

    Horizontal and vertical limits, regulations and procedures applicable to FIR/UIR, CTA, CTR, Advisory Areas and ATS Routes; Permanent danger, prohibited and restricted areas (including type and periods of activity when known) and ADIZ, Permanent areas or routes or portions thereof where the possibility of interception exists;

  2. Positions, frequencies, callsigns, known irregularities and maintenance periods of radio navigational aids and communications facilities;

  3. Holding and approach to land procedures, arrival and departure procedures, noise abatement procedures and any other pertinent ATS procedures;

  4. Meteorological facilities (including broadcasts) and procedures;

  5. Runways and stopways.

4.3 In addition, the establishment and withdrawal of, and predetermined significant changes to the information listed below may be published and brought into effect in accordance with the AIRAC System:

  1. Position, height and lighting of navigational obstacles;

  2. Taxiways and aprons;

  3. Hours of service: Aerodromes, facilities and services;

  4. Customs, immigration and health services;

  5. Temporary danger, prohibited and restricted areas and navigational hazards, military exercises and mass movements of aircraft;

  6. Temporary areas or routes or portions thereof where the possibility of interception exists.

4.4 When operationally necessary, the ICAO AIRAC System permits major changes to be promulgated two Cycles (56 days) in advance. Similarly, additional notice is required if the introduction of an intended change cannot be planned to take place on an AIRAC effective date. Publication would then be required no later than the AIRAC Cycle within which the actual effective date falls.
4.5 Information Providers should consult the UK AIS Publications Section (see paragraph 1.3) for guidance and details of the promulgation schedules.
4.6 Schedule of AIRAC effective dates available at https://www.icao.int/airnavigation/information-management/Pages/AIRAC.aspx.
5  Pre-Flight Information Service at Aerodromes/Heliports
5.1 UK AIS is operated from a single central location from which information is made available via multi-media output.
5.2 Aerodrome operators are responsible for providing briefing facilities, including UK AIP, AIP SUPs, AICs, NOTAM and/or selected Pre-flight Information Bulletins (PIB), is normally held and made available for reference and self briefing.
6  Digital Data Sets

The following UK digital data sets and their respective Dataset Products Specifications (DPS) are made available on the UK AIS website http://www.nats.aero/ais/datasets.

Data Set Title

Description

Data Subjects Included

Geographical Scope

Usage Limitations1/Remarks/Contact Details1

UK ICAO Obstacle Dataset Area 1

Obstacles affecting air navigation (100 M AGL and above)

  1. Vertical Structures

  2. Obstacle Area

Area 12

Replaces ENR 5.4 table
UK ICAO Terrain Dataset Area 1Area 1 Terrain

  1. Terrain

Area 12

See: https://www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/products/os-terrain-50
UK UAS Flight Restrictions DatasetAirspace restrictions applicable to UAS.

  1. Airspace

  2. Geoborders

Area 12

 
UK Visual Reference Points (VRP) DatasetVisual Reference Points

  1. Designated Points

Area 12

 
London Area Control (LAC) and Prestwick Control (PC) Sector DatasetSector volumes reflecting operational sectorisation for London Area and Prestwick ATC centres

  1. Airspace

Area 12

 

1 Refer to Dataset Products Specifications (DPS) which are made available on the UK AIS website http://www.nats.aero/ais/datasets and UK AIP Gen 0.1.

2 Area 1 is defined as the entire territory and airspace of the UK and UK Crown Dependencies (the Isle of Man and the Bailiwicks of Jersey and Guernsey).

Note: The dataset is provided in AIXM version 5.1. NATS reserve the right to model aeronautical information (AI) appropriately for AI product production and the right to adopt newer versions of AIXM with prior notification.Users should check forward/backward compatibility within their applications if using a newer AIXM version in the future to ensure there is no data loss. Please review http://www.aixm.aero/page/aixm-versioning-policy for guidance.

6.1 An ICAO filed difference is in place in respect to the provision of Electronic Terrain and Obstacle Data. (AIP GEN Section 1.7 - Annex 15 refers).