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The Analysis of Airspace Infringements Over Complex Airspace in Europe and the United States of America

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  28 April 2020

Elena Psyllou
Affiliation:
(Lloyds Register Foundation Transport Risk Management Centre, Centre for Transport studies, Imperial College London)
Arnab Majumdar*
Affiliation:
(Lloyds Register Foundation Transport Risk Management Centre, Centre for Transport studies, Imperial College London)

Abstract

The increase in the number of commercial flights highlights the need for air traffic to follow air procedures. Unfortunately, general aviation aircraft used for recreational purposes keep entering controlled and restricted airspace without obtaining permission from air traffic services. Given the safety and operational problems this could potentially cause, this paper examines the underlying reasons for these incidents occurring. In particular, it analyses airspace infringements between 2008 and 2017 involving general aviation flights that were recorded in airspace in which a large number of commercial flights also fly in Europe and America. The reports were analysed based on an initial assessment of their quality. Information was latent in the narrative and subsequently both qualitative (content analysis) and quantitative methods (descriptive statistics) of analysis were used. The analysis revealed that airspace infringements were related to the pilot's flight planning, that is, flight-route choice, navigation skills and communication, in addition to requirement to adhere to airspace procedure. The findings could be used by national authorities and flying clubs to promote safe flying in these regions.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © The Royal Institute of Navigation 2020

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