GENERAL COMMENTS ON AIRSPACE RESTRICTIONS

Each of the sites listed have individual notes as to airspace restrictions prevailing immediately over them, and pertinent to cross-country flights originating from them.

Every pilot has an obligation to be fully familiar with, and up to date in respect of the latest airspace restrictions. This information is available, in respect of Auckland sites, from the Auckland visual navigation chart published by and available from Aviation Publishing, P0 Box 294, Wellington, telephone 0800-500-045. This visual navigation chart is updated every six months.

A summary of the principal points affecting sites and some general comments follow:-

Sites located in the Warkworth area

i.e. Dills Hill, Moirs Hill, Bridges, Five Fingers.

All of these sites have an initial height restriction immediately above them of 3,500 feet and several other special conditions. Over previous years our members involved in negotiating to preserve our right to use airspace in these areas have come to realise the importance of establishing and maintaining good relationships with other recreational users of this airspace, in particular, Kaipara Flats Airfield and North Shore Airfield. The club has accordingly agreed with these parties that whenever our members fly from sites in or adjacent to these two airfields, we always notify them of our presence in the area even when we have no legal obligation to do so. Accordingly, whenever pilots fly at or from the above sites, a courtesy call should be made to: North Shore Airfield - 09 426-4273 advising whoever is on duty along the following lines: This is (name) from the Auckland Hang Glider and Paraglider Club. We are today flying from (site) and intend flying in a easterly/westerly/northerly direction and this will take us along your northern training zone airspace and this is just a courtesy call to let you know we are in your area.

Auckland West Coast And Auckland East Coast Sites

Sites  such as  Muriwal  on the west coast  and from Long Bay to Takapuna on the east coast are all located in  Transit Lanes. Further north in the Kaipara and south   near Duders there are  designated low flying training areas close by.  Sites on the east coast from Takapuna to Glover park may infringe the Auckland MBZ. Pilots need to clearly acquaint themselves with restrictions relevant to each site.

Bombay Hills Area

Sites in this area, in particular Mt William and Puketutu are located within General Aviation Area number 275 with a height restriction of 4,500 feet by day.

Please follow these instructions carefully:

1. On any days where gliders (Sailplanes) may be flying i.e. particularly week ends, Public Holidays or Wednesdays, you should advise the Auckland Glider Club of your presence in the area. The Club's phone number is 09-294 8881.
2. If it is likely that you are going to achieve heights above 2,500ft ASL, then you need to check whether additional heights provided by General Aviation Areas are available for you on the day.

Procedures for Using General Aviation Areas

As at January 2008 there are  five GAAs  close to Auckland club sites:

1. G151 North Shore 3,500ft active during daylight hours,
2. G150 Parakai 3500 with ATC notification. To be disestablished 20 Nov 08 due to lack of use.
3. G158 Woodhill extends G159 westwards to the coast. To be established 20 Nov 08
4. G159 Whenuapai 3500 with ATC approval.
5. G275 Ardmore 4,500ft (day) (South of Bombays),
6. G276 Hunua 3,500ft (day) up to 4,500ft with ATC notification (North of Bombays).

Note:  VFR Transit Lane heights vary (1000ft-1500ft) Check charts. Mandatory Broadcast times vary (5min. to 10min.) Check charts.

Note: further areas exist to the south which relate to Waikato club sites. Advice should be sought from Waikato Club for local arrangements in using these areas.

In the case of G151 you are entitled to use this space without talking to Auckland Tower as it is also a training area. However North Shore Airfield needs to be advised of your intentions.

In the case of  G276, this space must have ATC approval. The governing factor is wind and weather governing direction of landings/take offs at Auckland International Airport.

If you have airband radio a continuous broadcast on the "ATIS" frequency 128.3 will advise which areas are open. If you don't have access to this facility or you wish to ask for the area to be opened especially then, telephone the Auckland Tower on 09-299 8187 or free phone the National flight briefing office on 0800 626756.

Whenuapal Controlled Airspace

This airspace is active usually weekdays only, with limited weekend use when special operations in progress. It is possible to obtain permission on occasion to pass through this airspace by special request to the Whenuapai Tower on 09-302 7421 or 09-417 7099 extension 7445. When ATC at Whenuapai tower are off watch this area becomes an MBZ (until Nov 08)

VFR Transit Lanes

Hang gliders and paragliders are permitted to operate in these lanes up to a height of 1,000ft (East coast)  or 1500ft (west coast)ASL. However if pilots are equipped with airband radios then this ceiling is raised to 2,500ft ASL.

Mandatory Broadcast Areas

These area are only available to those pilots flying with airband radios. Pilots are required to broadcast their  position and intentions on the correct frequency  on entering and again every ten minutes whilst inside the area.

Common Frequency Zones (formerly special procedures areas)

These areas in the Hauraki Gulf and on the North Shore up to Moirs Hill are non-mandatory and  advisory only for aircraft with airband radio.