Upload
robert-john-commander
View
217
Download
0
Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
7/30/2019 Lichfield WInd Turbine Planning Application Aviation Report
1/31
JandSBostock Page1of31 RJC
AviationSafetyAspects
ofaWindTurbine
NearHamstallRidware,Staffs
Compiledby: RJCommanderCommanderAviationServices
For: JandSBostock
Dated: 13February2012 Amended:19March2012
[email protected] +44(0)1342718879 +44(0)7767834780
www.commanderaviationservices.com
RJC
LookingtowardsNeedwoodForestGlidingsitefromtheproposedturbine
7/30/2019 Lichfield WInd Turbine Planning Application Aviation Report
2/31
JandSBostock Page2of31 RJC
NotesontheDocument
Copyright
ThisdocumentiscopyrightCommanderAviationServicesLtd CASFebruary2012
SomephotographshavebeenusedwhichappearonGooglePanoramio.Asthesephotographsarealreadyinthepublicdomain,theyarereproduced
here.Iftherearesubsequentobjectionstotheiruse,theywillberemoved.
Thedocumentmaybereproducedasawholeforthepurposesoftheplanningapplicationasreferredtointhecontent.Inthiscontext,thedocument
mustnotbealteredinanywaywithoutthepermissionofCAS.ItispreferredthatthedocumentisreproducedinPDFformat.
Extractsmaybemadefromthedocumentbutanacknowledgementofthesourcematerialshouldbeincludedwithanyfurtherreproduction.
UseoftheDocument
ThisdocumentisintendedtobereadonacomputerasaWorddocument.ItisproducedinDOCXformat,whichcanbeconvertedforearlierversionsof
Word.ThehyperlinkstootherwebsitesworkinDOCX.TheWordDocumentalsohasaclickableTableofContents.
TheWordformatislessstablefortransmissionthanPDFandthismayresultinthecorruptionofsomediagramsparticularlywhenprinting,sothe
DocumentisalsopresentedinPDFformat.HyperlinksmaynotworkinPDFformat,buttheDocumentisgenerallyeasiertoreadandshouldreproduce
accuratelyelectronicallyandashardcopy.
7/30/2019 Lichfield WInd Turbine Planning Application Aviation Report
3/31
JandSBostock Page3of31 RJC
TableofContents
NotesontheDocument.................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................2
Copyright.................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................2
UseoftheDocument...........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................2
TableofContents...........................................................................................................................................................................................3
AviationSafetyAspectsofaWindTurbinenearHamstallRidware,Staffs.............................. .................................... ................................... ..4
Introduction.......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................4
AbouttheAuthorandCAS...........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................4
OversightofAvia tion.................................................................. ..................................................................... ...................................................................... .........................................................5
LegalDefinitions...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................5
Structures................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................6
AerodromeDefinition.........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................7
GlidingSitesandFarmStripsintheUK.................................................................................................................................................................................................................................7
SafeguardingofAerodromes......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................9
EnRouteObstaclesintheUK..................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................10
LightingontheTurbine.............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................11
VisualFlightRules(VFR)...........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................12
SeeandAvoid.................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................12
GliderOperationsintheUK..........................................................................................................................................................................14
TheBritishGlidingAssociation..............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................14
ATypicalGliderCircuit..............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................16
AviationOperationalRiskAnalysis:WindTurbineatHamstellRidware,Staffs.................................. ................................... ........................19
Introduction....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................19
MethodofRiskAssessment......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................20
TheCASAssessmentforaWindTurbineatHamstellRidware,Staffs................................ ................................... ................................... ......22
ExpandedNotesfromtheTable.............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................26
Conclusion............................................................... ...................................................................... ...................................................................... ...................................................................... .......30
CAAAdvice.............................................................. ...................................................................... ...................................................................... ...................................................................... .......31
7/30/2019 Lichfield WInd Turbine Planning Application Aviation Report
4/31
JandSBostock Page4of31 RJC
AviationSafetyAspectsofaWindTurbinenearHamstallRidware,Staffs
Introduction
Anapplicationforplanningpermissionfortheerectionofa75mhighwindturbineonlandnearHamstallRidware,Staffs,resultedinobjectionson
aviationsafetygroundsfromtheNeedwoodForestGlidingClubwhichoperatesatCrossHayestotheNorthoftheproposedturbinesite.
In response to the objections, Lichfield Council proposed that the applicants under Planning Application 11/00449/FUL commission a riskassessmenttoquantifythelikelyriskstoaviationgenerallyandspecificallytothelocalglidersiteshouldtheconstructionofasinglewindturbinebe
approved.
TheapplicantshavecommissionedCommanderAviationServices(CAS)tocarryouttheriskassessmentontheirbehalfandthisdocumentpresents
thecompletedriskassessmentandalsoanintroductoryoverviewofrecreationalaviationandtherightsofoperationforaflyingclubincomparison
tothesurroundingfarmsandassociatedlands.
Theauthorhadnopreviousconnectionwithanyoftheinterestedpartiesinthisplanningapplication,andwillcommentprimarilyonthelegal
positionwithregardtolightaircraft(includinggliders,aeroplanesandhelicopters),airstripsandglidingsitesintheUK.CASLtdalsohasneither
connectionnorvestedinterestingeneralaviationorGovernmentinterestspromotingalternativeenergyinfrastructure.
AbouttheAuthorandCAS
BobCommanderofCAShaspreparedthisriskassessmentandregulatoryoverview.CASspecialisesinaerialworkand
corporate aviat ion operations and adv ises The Crown Estate on aviat ion matters related to o ff shore renewables
development. Bob Commander has considerable experience of General Aviation over twenty years, acting as Head of
PolicyfortheCivilAviationAuthorityfrom1995to2006.AfullCVisavailableontheCASwebsiteunderAboutCAS.
7/30/2019 Lichfield WInd Turbine Planning Application Aviation Report
5/31
JandSBostock Page5of31 RJC
OversightofAviation
AviationintheUKislargelycontrolledbytherulessetoutasarticlesintheAirNavigationOrder2005andasrulesintheRulesoftheAir
Regulations2007.TheOrderandtheRulesaresecondarylegislationmadeunderthelawoftheprimarylegislation,theCivilAviationActwhich
wasamendedin2006.TheoriginalActof1982establishedtheCivilAviationAuthorityinthiscountryandtheCAAremainsresponsibleforall
aspectsofUKaviation,frominternationalairlinersatHeathrowdowntohomebuiltmicrolightaeroplanesflyingoutofafarmersfield,orinthecaseofahelicopter,abackgarden.
LegalDefinitions
Thedegreeoffreedomenjoyedbytheownersoflightaircraft1andairfieldsintheUKmayseemsurprisinginthesedaysofmicro-regulation.With
theexceptionoftheprotectedairspacearoundmajorairports,apilotcantakeofffrom,andland,inanysuitablefieldsubjecttotheRulesoftheAir
which, interalia,imposea500footavoidareaaroundpersons,vessels,vehiclesandstructures.Thisisadome-shapedareaaroundandoverthe
object orperson tobe avoided. This meansthat anaircraft can legallyflyjustabovethe surfacein theUK provided itstays500 feet away
horizontally,verticallyoranywhereinbetween-fromtheaforementionedpersons,etc.
Manyothercountrieshaveaminimumheightof500feetabovegroundlevel,withtheexceptionofwhentakingofforlanding.Rule5istherelevant
ruleandiscommonlyreferredtoastheLowFlyingRule.ReferencetothisRulewillrecurandthecriticalpartoftheRuleisshownintheboxonthe
nextpageforeasyreference.
1Anaircraftisanyfly ingdevice,includingplanes,microlights,glidersandballoons.Anaeroplanetypicallyhaswingsandoneormoreengines.
7/30/2019 Lichfield WInd Turbine Planning Application Aviation Report
6/31
JandSBostock Page6of31 RJC
Aglidercannotflymultiplepracticecircuitslikefixedwingaeroplanesandtherefore,inthevicinityoftheglidersite,onmostoccasions,itiseither
takingofforlandinginaccordancewithnormalaviationpractice.Thismeansthatitshouldbeatthenormalheightsassociatedwithaglidercircuit
asshownonPage16.
Structures
TheOrderdoes not define a structure. However, by legal precedent,this hasbecome accepted by theCAA as meaningsomethingcapable of
containing a person. Therefore for aviation purposes, a turbineis probably not a structure,whilepylons andtowers, includingwindturbinescapableofcontainingorsupportingapersonprobablyare.Probablyisusedhere,asacourtwouldhavetodecideonanyparticularcaseandrule
accordingly.
Theproposedwindturbineis75metres(245ft)tallwithaccesstotheinterior.Therefore,itislikelythatthe500ftavoiddistanceimposedbythe
LowFlyingRulewouldapplyinthiscaseforpassingaircraftwhicharenottakingofforlandingatNeedwood.
Rule5Extract
ExceptwiththewrittenpermissionoftheCAA,anaircraftshallnotbeflowncloserthan500feettoanyperson,vessel,vehicleor
structure.
Exemptionsfromthelowflyingprohibitions
6Theexemptionsfromthelowflyingprohibitionsareasfollows:
(a)Landingandtakingoff
(i)Anyaircraftshallbeexemptfromthelowflyingprohibitionsinsofarasitisflyinginaccordancewithnormalaviationpracticeforthepurposeof:
(aa)takingofffrom,landingatorpractisingapproachestolandingat;or
(bb)checkingnavigationalaidsorproceduresataGovernmentorlicensedaerodrome.
7/30/2019 Lichfield WInd Turbine Planning Application Aviation Report
7/31
JandSBostock Page7of31 RJC
LegalDefinitions(Contd.)
AerodromeDefinition
GlidingSitesandFarmStripsintheUK
AscanbeseenfromtheANOdefinitionofanaerodrome,anyreasonablyflatfarmfieldhasthepotentialtobeusedfortakeofforlandinginan
aircraft(thetermaircraftincludesgliders;aeroplanesarepowered).ThereareliterallyhundredsoffarmstripsintheUK,manybeingdedicatedto
microlightaircraft whichin generalhavea shortertake-off distance requirement than aconventionallight aircraft. Theuseof theland isonly
describedasanaerodromeundertheANOdefinition.Inplanningterms,farmstripsareusuallyusedonthebasisofnotmorethan28daysforthat
purposeinanyyear.Forthis,planningpermissionisgenerallynotrequiredprovidedthereisnoassociateddevelopment.Interestingly,thereisalso
nolimitonthenumberoftake-offsorlandingsthatcanbemadeonanydaywithinthe28days,whereasamorepermanentairfieldwithassociatedplanningpermissionislikelytohavealimitimposedonthenumberofaircraftmovementsinaspecifiedperiodandwithopeningandclosingtimes
also specified. Inpractice,the CAAis most unlikely tocheckcompliance with the28-dayplanningrule,but itis knownfromexperiencethat
neighboursoftenkeepcomprehensiverecordsoftheuseoflandadjacenttotheirownproperty.
ANOArticle155Interpretation
'Aerodrome'meansanyareaoflandorwaterdesigned,equipped,setapartorcommonlyusedforaffordingfacilitiesforthelandingand
departureofaircraftandincludesanyareaorspace,whetherontheground,ontheroofofabuildingorelsewhere,whichisdesigned,equipped
orsetapartforaffordingfacilitiesforthelandinganddepartureofaircraftcapableofdescendingorclimbingvertically,butshallnotincludeany
areatheuseofwhichforaffordingfacilitiesforthelandinganddepartureofaircrafthasbeenabandonedandhasnotbeenresumed.
7/30/2019 Lichfield WInd Turbine Planning Application Aviation Report
8/31
JandSBostock Page8of31 RJC
MostglidingsitesintheUKaremoresimilartoestablishedairfieldsthanfarmstripswhilestillcomingwithintheANOdefinitionofanaerodrome.
Mostglidingsitesarelong-standinggrassfieldswithplanningpermissionforthespecificuse.Mostarealsomarkedonaviationlowflyingcharts
andthosewithawinchlauncharemarkedasahazardtootherairspaceusersupto2000ft+abovethesurface.
ItisunderstoodthattheNeedwoodForestglidingsitehasplanningpermissionwhichimposesrestrictionsonthenumberofdaysuseandperiodsof
openingandalsothenumberofmovementsperday.TheClubwebsitealsosuggeststhatoperationsopentothepublicfortriallessonsaremainly
restrictedtoweekendswithWednesdaysaddedduringthesummermonths.Week-longactivityisonlyassociatedwithoccasionalspecialclub
weeks.
Althoughitisnotincludedintheriskassessmentperse,itshouldbenotedthatthelevelofactivityatNeedwoodForestismodestincomparison
withclubssuchasLashamortheScottishGlidingClubatPortMoak.Forcomparison,Lashamboastsover220gliders 2basedthere,whileNeedwood
hasabaseof5supplementedbymembersownaircraft.
TheobjectionfromNeedwoodincludedfiguresof4500aircraftmovementsayear.Anaircraftmovementiscountedwhentakingoff,landingor
makinganapproachtolandwithoutactuallystopping,sothisfigurecanbeatleasthalvedforeachgliderflight.Avery roughcalculationsuggests
thattheClubcouldoperateforabout80daysoftheyear,butweather(includinggrassfieldconditions)probablyprecludesasignificantpercentage
ofthesewithwholeweekendsbeingunflyable.Beingconservative,thismeansthattheClubactuallymakesanaverageof2200flightsspreadover
about50dayssome44flightsadayaveragingabout5approachesanhour.
2ManyarekeptonsiteyearroundintrailersthisisnotapparentatNeedwoodonGoogleEarth.
7/30/2019 Lichfield WInd Turbine Planning Application Aviation Report
9/31
JandSBostock Page9of31 RJC
SafeguardingofAerodromes
CivilAviationPublication(CAP)738explainstheprocessofsafeguardingtheairspacearoundanaerodrome.Safeguardingisalegalrequirement
aroundlicensedaerodromesandisintendedtoensurethatdevelopmentaroundtheaerodromedoesnotencroachontheairspaceneededtosafely
operateanaircraft.TheCAPrecommendsthatsafeguardingshouldapplytoallaerodromes,andasalreadyexplained,thiscouldmeananymown
grassstripinafield.However,CAP738isguidancematerialandtheCAAdoesnotmonitororinsistonplanningcomplianceforunlicensedairfields.
Safeguarding isan agreed requirement under internationalconvention, specifically theChicago Conventionand thesubsequent Standards andRecommendedPractices(SARPS) developed bythe InternationalCivilAviationOrganisation(ICAO). Itis primarily intended toensure that an
internationalairlinerisaffordedthesamestandardsofprotectionirrespectiveofwhereintheworlditistakingofforlanding(ICAOmembership
includesnearlyallcontractingstatesoftheworld).Inpractice,itisdoubtfulthatthisisachievedforallmajorairportsthroughouttheworlduntil
relativelyrecently,HongKongKaiTakairportwasencroacheduponbyhighrisebuildingsanditisstillacontinuingproblematHeathrowasLondon
developsevertallerbuildings.
Atsmallerlicensedaerodromes,theproblemisevenmoreacute.ManyUKaerodromeshavedevelopmentsatbothendsoftherunwaywhichwere
nottherewhentheaerodromewasfirstlicensed.Evenforsomequitemajorairports,fullsafeguardingisnotachievable.Forlicensedaerodromes
thereisinfactareducingscaleofprotectionrequireddependingonthestatus(sizeandusageinthemain)of
theaerodrome.
Hopefully it can be seen therefore, that safeguarding is generally regarded as a good thing and is
recommendedasastartingpointbeforelayingoutanylandingstrip.Itmustbestressed,however,thatthisis
advisoryandisnotsupportedbythelaw.
Itshouldbenotedthatthereisatendencytocherry-picksafeguardingstandardstosuittheoperator.Many
airstrips exist next to high-tension power lines andthere areexisting power lines with tall pylons in the
vicinityoftheNeedwoodsiteatasimilardistanceoutanddirectlyacrosstheapproachtothemainrunway
directionof280.
PedrocutPanoramio
7/30/2019 Lichfield WInd Turbine Planning Application Aviation Report
10/31
JandSBostock Page10of31 RJC
EnRouteObstaclesintheUK
Notificationof enrouteobstaclesin theUK isorganisedby theAeronauticalInformationService (AIS) ofNationalAir TrafficServices(NATS).
NotificationoftemporaryhazardsiseffectedbyissuingNOTAMS(NoticestoAirmen).Thisisdonelargelybywebsitethesedays.Itisthepilots
responsibilitytoensurethataflightcanbesafelyundertakenand,aspartofpre-flightbriefing,NOTAMSarecheckedfortheroute.NOTAMSonly
recordtemporaryhazardsandtheproposedturbinewillbeatemporarystructureandthereforenotified.Permanenthazardswithverticalextent
arelistedseparatelyintheAeronauticalInformationPublication(AIP,sometimescalledtheAirPilot)EnRouteSection(ENR).
ImportantlytheAIPENRonlylistsobstacleswhichareover300fthigh(abovethesurface).Thereisnoactualrequirementthereforetonotifythe
proposedturbine,eitherbyNOTAM 3duringconstruction,orforittobelistedasapermanentobstructiontoenroutenavigation.
3NoticestoAirmencheckedbeforeflightbypilotsfortheirflyingrouteorarea.
7/30/2019 Lichfield WInd Turbine Planning Application Aviation Report
11/31
JandSBostock Page11of31 RJC
LightingontheTurbine
TheaboveextractfromCAP4764appliestoallobstructionsbutisexplainedclearlyinthisparticularpublication.Notethatthereisnorequirement
tolighttheproposedturbine(oranyotherturbineorstructureoflessthan150mhigh)inaviationregulationterms.CAP764isalsomisleading
becausethearticlereferstolicensedaerodromesonly.Needwoodisnotalicensedaerodrome,sothisisanen-routeobstaclebyaviationdefinition.
Thetypeoflightingreferredtoisprimarilyintendedfornightuse.Glidersflyduringdaylighthoursonly.Thereisnolegalrequirementfordaytime
hazardlightingsuchasthehighintensitystrobemorecommonlyassociatedwithtallbuildingssuchasCanaryWharf.
4CivilAviationPublication
AnextractfromCAP764-CAAPolicyandGuidelinesonWindTurbines
5.3Article133[nowArticle219] requiresthatstructuresawayfromtheimmediatevicinityofan [licensed]aerodrome,whichhaveaheightof
150mormore(AboveGroundLevel)arefittedwithmediumintensitysteadyredlights,positionedascloseaspossibletothetopoftheobstacle,
andalsoatintermediatelevelsspacedsofaraspracticableequallybetweenthetoplightsandgroundlevelwithanintervalnotexceeding52m.
Obstructionlightsshouldbeilluminatedatnight,visibleinalldirectionsand,intheeventofanylightingfailure,rectifiedassoonasisreasonably
practicable.
5.4Inaddition,theCAAwillprovideadviceandrecommendationsregardinganyextralightingrequirementsforaviationobstructionpurposes
where,owingtothenatureorlocationofthestructure,itpresentsasignificanthazardtoairnavigation.However,ingeneralterms,structures
lessthan150mhigh,whichareoutsidetheimmediatevicinityofanaerodrome,arenotroutinelylit;unlessthebyvirtueofitsnatureor
locationargumentholdsfast.UKAIPENR1.1.5.4refers.
7/30/2019 Lichfield WInd Turbine Planning Application Aviation Report
12/31
JandSBostock Page12of31 RJC
VisualFlightRules(VFR)
Much of thegeneral aviationflying in theUK is conducted under
VisualFlightRulesandtheweatherminimaforVFRaregiveninthe
box. Most lightaircraft includinggliders operateat less than 140
knots(c.160mph)andcanthereforeflywithavisibilityof1500m.A
pilotmaybelimitedtoahighervisibilityimposedbyaconditionon
hisflyinglicence.Thisisofcoursesubjectiveonmostoccasions(AirTraffic can give an indication of visibility at an aerodrome using
known landmarks), but this can be very different in an aircraft
lookingintosunorjustashortdistanceawayfromthefield.
Before flying however, the pilot must get an up to date weather
forecastwhichgivestheexpectedvisibilityforanareawhichshould
beatleast1500mandhopefullybetter.
SeeandAvoid
Anunmarkedwindturbinesuchasisproposedwouldbedifficulttoseein1500mvisibility,asarepowercablesandotheraircraftparticularlyfast
movingmilitaryjets.AswellastheVFRrequirements,visualflyingintheUKreliesalmostentirelyontheprincipleofseeandavoid.Thisapplies
toavoidingotheraircraftinthemainandtheRulesoftheAirstatehowtoavoidanotheraircraftonceitisseen;i.e.thedirectiontoturn.However,
notunreasonably,thepilotalsohastoavoidotherobstaclesonaseeandavoidbasis.Asalreadyexplained,bynomeansareallobstaclesplottedon
mapsorincludedinNOTAMSorotherwarningmaterial.
Oneofthemostimportantthingsforapilotistodevelopknowledgeofthelocalarea.Inthisinstance,oncetheturbinehasbeenbroughttothe
attentionofthepilotsitisuptothemtomakesuretheyavoidit.Additionally,theoperatorofanairstriporglidersiteisrequiredtonotifyother
would-beusersofanyhazardsinthelocalarea.Otherusersshouldnotlandatanairstripwithoutfirstseekingpriorpermissionandbeingbriefed
onanylocalhazardsorunusualconditions.
Rule28oftheRulesoftheAirRegulations
WeatherminimaforVFRflightoutsideControlledAirspace
.foranaircraft,otherthanahelicopter,operatingat140ktorless:
1500mflightvisibility,clearofcloudandwiththesurfaceinsight.
7/30/2019 Lichfield WInd Turbine Planning Application Aviation Report
13/31
JandSBostock Page13of31 RJC
Theproposedturbineisveryunlikelytobeasignificanthazardtoenroutetraffic.TheCAAadvicetoprivatepilotsisthat,whereverpossible,they
shouldtransitabove2000fttoreducenoisecomplaintsand,moreimportantly,toreducetheriskofconflictionwithlowflyingmilitarytraining.
Thereisalsominimalrisktothesemilitaryaircraft,whichstaybetween500ft,and1000ftabovegroundlevel(agl)exceptinareasofthecountry
associatedwithverylowflyingtrainingwheretheycanbecleareddownto250ftagl.
Infact,theglidingsiteatNeedwoodisamuchgreater
hazard to transiting aircraft because, although its
locationis markedon themap,it launches itsglider
usingawinchcablewhichtowstheglidertoaheight
ofbetween 1400 and1600feet agl. Ascan beseen
fromthepicture,thecableisverydifficulttoseeand
extendstoaboutfivetimestheheightoftheproposed
windturbine.
Schapmande13Panoramio
7/30/2019 Lichfield WInd Turbine Planning Application Aviation Report
14/31
JandSBostock Page14of31 RJC
GliderOperationsintheUK
TheBritishGlidingAssociation
While theCAA has overallresponsibilityfor allflying activities in theUK with theultimate responsibility resting with theDepartment for
Transport,glideroperationstoaverylargeextentarelookedafterbytheBritishGlidingAssociation(BGA)onaself-policingbasis.Todatethishas
includedsuchmattersaspilottrainingandqualificationcriteria,airworthinessfortheglidersandamajorinputtotheAirAccidentInvestigationBranchintheeventofaglideraccident.Thislong-standingarrangementisnowbeingreviewedbytheEuropeanAviationSafetyAgency(EASA),
withthelikelihoodofmoredirectinputfromEuropeonfirstlicensingandthenoperationalpolicymattersforUKgliding.Thisseachangemeans
thattheBGAisveryprotectiveofitsestablishedposition(asitalwayshasbeen)andresistschange,ratherthanembracingit.Thispositionisalso
trueofthedevelopmentofrenewableenergyresourcesandtheneedforwindturbinesatmanysitesthroughoutthecountry.Theinitialreactionis
toobjectonprinciple.
Thatsaid,theBGAhasdoneworkonsafeguardingglidingsitesandthisisevidentonitswebsiteunder AerodromeSafeguarding .
ThepictureonthenextpageshowsaBGAspecimensafeguardingmapsuperimposedonGoogleEarthatthesamescale.Theauthorhasaddedthe
measurementsusingGoogleEarthRuler.Thesafeguardingislogicallyweightedtowardtakeoffandlandingwitha2000mareawhereconsultation
isexpectedforanydevelopmenthigherthan10m.
Theareawhereconsultationisrequiredisreducedinthedownwindorrejoiningareatoapproximately1600mabeamtherunway.
Importantly,thereisnoconsultationrequiredtotheNorthorEastofthefield,butthisismainlyinfluencedbythevillagesinthissector.
ParhamishometotheSouthdownGlidingClub,whichisactiveyearroundandhasmorethanfortymembersglidersonsite.
Theclubalsolaunchesglidersbyaerotowaswellasbywinch,sothecircuithastocaterforfixedwingtowingaircraftaswellasgliders.
7/30/2019 Lichfield WInd Turbine Planning Application Aviation Report
15/31
JandSBostock Page15of31 RJC
7/30/2019 Lichfield WInd Turbine Planning Application Aviation Report
16/31
JandSBostock Page16of31 RJC
ATypicalGliderCircuit
ThediagrambelowshowsatypicalglidercircuitbasedonNeedwood.AsexplainedlateronPage 26,thisissimplyanexampletoshowgeneral
principlesandinparticulartheactualshapeofthecircuitcanvarywidelyfromthis.
Thisdiagramshowstheoptionstorecovertoeitherendofthegrassairstrip,butthediagramonthenextpageconcentratesonrecoveringtoRwy
10,theorangecircuit,wheretheaircraftisdescendingasitpassestheproposedturbine(althoughremainingwellabove).OnrecoveryforRwy28,
theaircraftpassestheturbineatcircuitheightcommencingatabout700feetabovethesurface.
7/30/2019 Lichfield WInd Turbine Planning Application Aviation Report
17/31
JandSBostock Page17of31 RJC
Adetailedoverview ofglider operationsis givenlateronPage 26 asa note totheRiskAssessment. Thebrief explanation here isintendedas
backgroundinformationtothoseunfamiliarwithflyingingeneralandthesometimes-confusingtermsthatareused.
Thefirstoddityisthataviationmixesunitsofmeasurements 5.
Altitudeismeasuredinfeeteitherabovethesurfaceorabovesealevelandapilotcanseteitheroftheseasadatumonhisaltimeter. Heightofanobjectonthegroundismeasuredinmetres. Horizontaldistance ismeasuredinmetres,kilometresandNauticalMiles.
Secondly,therunwayonanairfieldisusuallyreferredtoasacompassbearingforthedirectionoftake-offorlanding.IntheNeedwoodexample
shownbelow,theorangearrowindicatesadownwindlegtolandonRunway100(AbbreviatedtoRwy10).
Thedownwindlegistypicallystartedat700feetabovethesurfaceandusuallyupto1000moutfromtherunway.Tighter(i.e.closertotherunway)
circuits are flown by gliders with poorer
performanceand a 1000m is wide even
foramodernhighperformancemachine.
ThediagramshowsalandingonRwy10
andthisisreversedforalandingonthe
reciprocal, Rwy 28 (the same piece of
grass,buttheoppositedirection).
TheprevailingwindintheUKisfromthe
West,somostlandingswillbemadeinto
wind on Runway 28. The significant
difference betweenthe runways is that
the glider approaching to land on the
more usual Runway 28 will be at the
start ofitsdownwind legandtherefore
150feethigheras itpassestheturbine
thanitwillbeonthelessfrequentlyused
Rwy10.
5TheunitsarelaiddownbytheInternationalCivilAviationOrganisation,inAnnex5totheChicagoConvention.
7/30/2019 Lichfield WInd Turbine Planning Application Aviation Report
18/31
JandSBostock Page18of31 RJC
Theobliqueviewshowstheturncrosswindandthefinalturn
forlanding.Inboththisviewandthepreviousone,theactual
turnsarestylisedandthepilotcanselectavarietyofpatterns
as he approaches the end of the downwind leg usually
turninginearliertokeeptheairfieldinsight(dottedline).
Duringthedownwindleg,theaircrafthasdescendedtoabout
600 feetabove the surface. Ascanbe seen, the aircraft is
about500mclearoftheproposedwindturbinehorizontallyand,asalreadydiscussed,itisnearly300feethigherthanthe
highestextremityoftheturbineblades.
It is possible for an aircraft to join the circuit from the
southwest andthis could be flownover theturbine, as the
aircraftwouldbejoiningatcircuitheight1500moutfromthe
airfield. In practice,most pilots would prefer to keep the
turbineinsight,eithertotheleftorright,astheaircraftpasses.
As explained on Page 12, gliders fly under Visual Flight
Rulesandthereforewithaminimumvisibilityof1500m.The proposed turbine will actually provide a useful
featuretolocatetheairfieldinrelativelypoorvisibility
(admittedly an unusual occurrence in gliding poor
visibilityisusuallyassociatedwithalackoflift).
There is already a glider site with a wind turbine of
similar proportion in a very similar position to the
downwin d circuit , but to the opposite run way, at
NympsfieldinGloucestershire(SeeRight).
TheNympsfieldturbinewaserectedin1996,andafter
originalobjectionsfromthelocalBristolandGloucesterGlidingClub(BGGC),isnowgenerallyagreedtobepart
ofthelocal(verypicturesque)landscape,whichdoesnot
affectglidingadversely.TheBBGChaseightclubgliders,
twoaerotowaircraft,andisopensevendaysaweek.
7/30/2019 Lichfield WInd Turbine Planning Application Aviation Report
19/31
JandSBostock Page19of31 RJC
AviationOperationalRiskAnalysis:
WindTurbineatHamstellRidware,Staffs.
Introduction
Thisparttabulatesaseriesofpossibleeventswhichmightoccurduetoa 75mtallwindturbinebeingerectednearHamstellRidwareand
specificallylooksattheincreasedriskthisposesforglidingatNeedhamForestglidingsite.
Assessments areonlygivenforoperational aviation relatedrisks. Aseparatefailure modesandeffectsanalysisshouldconsidertechnical
failuresandtheirminimisationbydesign.
TheSectionstartswithanexplanationofthemethodusedtoassesstherisks.
7/30/2019 Lichfield WInd Turbine Planning Application Aviation Report
20/31
JandSBostock Page20of31 RJC
MethodofRiskAssessment
ThefailuresoreventshavebeenassessedonthebasisofSeverityandLikelihoodasdescribedintheICAOSafetyManagementManual(ICAO
SMM).AcopyoftheSMMisincludedinthePDFPortfoliowiththisdocument.
SeverityofConsequences LikelihoodofOccurrence
AviationDefinition Meaning Value Qualitativedefinition Meaning Value
Catastrophic Equipmentdestroyed.
Multipledeaths.
5 Frequent Likelytooccurmanytimes 5
Hazardous Alargereductioninsafetymargins.
Seriousinjuryordeathtoanumber
ofpeople.
Majorequipmentdamage
4 Occasional Likelytooccursometimes 4
Major Asignificantreductioninsafetymargins.
Seriousincident.
Injurytopersons.
3 Remote Unlikely,butpossibletooccur 3
Minor Nuisance.
Operatinglimitations.
Useofemergencyprocedures.
Minorincident.
2 Improbable Veryunlikelytooccur 2
Negligible Littleconsequence. 1 Extremelyimprobable Almostinconceivablethatthe
eventwilloccur
1
7/30/2019 Lichfield WInd Turbine Planning Application Aviation Report
21/31
JandSBostock Page21of31 RJC
LikelihoodofOccurrence
Extremely
improbable1
Improbable2
Remote3
Occasional4
Frequent5
Severity
Catastrophic5
Review
5
Unacceptable
10
Unacceptable
15
Unacceptable
20
Unacceptable
25
Hazardous4
Review
4
Review
8
Unacceptable
12
Unacceptable
16
Unacceptable
20
Major3
Acceptable
3
Review
6
Review
9
Review
12
Review
15
Minor2
Acceptable
2
Acceptable
4
Acceptable
6
Acceptable
8
Review
10
Negligible1 Acceptable
1
Acceptable
2
Acceptable
3
Acceptable
4
Acceptable
5
MultiplyingSeverityxLikelihoodproducesthematrixabove.
RedareascontainanunacceptablelevelofriskwhileGreenareasareacceptable.Betweenthetwoisanareawheretheriskissignificantbutis
acceptable,usuallywithmitigation.Ifthereisnomitigation,therisksaredeemedacceptable,butshouldbereviewedinthelightofexperienceor
changingtechnologyorcircumstancesonaregularbasis(annually?)totrytoreducetheriskwhenandifpossible.
SeverityagainstProbabilityMatrix
7/30/2019 Lichfield WInd Turbine Planning Application Aviation Report
22/31
JandSBostock Page22of31 RJC
TheCASAssessmentforaWindTurbineatHamstellRidware,Staffs
Item EventSeverityx
LikelihoodTotal Consequence Considerations Mitigation
Result/
FinalTotal
1 Airtrafficinto
Needwoodhits
turbine:
Straightinapproaches
toeitherRunway:
(Rwy10orRwy28)
Circuitapproachto
Rwy28
CircuitapproachtoRwy10
3x1
3x2
3x3
3
6
9
Gliderdestroyedorserious
damage.
Seriousinjuryordeath
Riskisonapar
withnormal
flying
SeeDiscussion1under3below.
Thisisnotthe
predominant
runway
direction
Nonerequired
1.NOTAMofstructureduringerection.
2.NFGCwarningto
visitorsofthetemporary
structure.
3.NFGClocalprocedures
toensuretheriskof
contactwiththeturbineis
minimised.(e.g.Review
localprocedures.
Addminimumheight
downwinduntilpastthe
windturbine.
4.NFGCpiloteducation
programme
3x1
3
3x2
6
3x2
6
7/30/2019 Lichfield WInd Turbine Planning Application Aviation Report
23/31
JandSBostock Page23of31 RJC
Item EventSeverityx
LikelihoodTotal Consequence Considerations Mitigation
Result/
FinalTotal
2 Gliderssoaringoren
route
3x2 6 Aircraftdestroyedorserious
damage.
Seriousinjuryordeath
SeeDiscussion2
under3below.
Sameas1and2above.
3.En-routetraffichastoavoidstructuresby500ft.
Pre-flightplanning
includesacheckof
NOTAMsfortemporary
en-routeobstructions.
3x1
3
7/30/2019 Lichfield WInd Turbine Planning Application Aviation Report
24/31
JandSBostock Page24of31 RJC
Item EventSeverityx
LikelihoodTotal Consequence Considerations Mitigation
Result/
FinalTotal
3 Transitinglightaircraft
trafficcontactsturbine.
4x2 8 Aircraftdestroyedorserious
damage.
Seriousinjuryordeath.
SeeDiscussion3. Sameas1and2above.
3.En-routetraffichasto
avoidstructuresby500ft.Pre-flightplanning
includesacheckof
NOTAMsfortemporary
en-routeobstructions.
4.Avoidanceofthe
turbineshouldensure
avoidanceoftheturbine.
5.Aircraftadvisedto
transitabove2000ftin
UK.
6.Needwoodglidingsite
ismarkedasa2km
hazardcircleontheCAAs
flyingchartsandshouldbeavoidedbytransiting
aircraft.Theproposed
turbinewillbeinsidethis
notifiedarea.
3x1
3
7/30/2019 Lichfield WInd Turbine Planning Application Aviation Report
25/31
JandSBostock Page25of31 RJC
Item EventSeverityx
LikelihoodTotal Consequence Considerations Mitigation
Result/
FinalTotal
4 MilitaryLowFlying 3x2 6 Aircraftdestroyedorserious
damage.
Seriousinjuryordeath
SeeDiscussion4
under3below.
1.Allasabovefor
transitinglightaircraft.
2.Militaryaircrafttransit
above500ftevenwhenlowflyingexceptin
designatedareaswhere
theyarecleareddownto
250ft.
3.The2kmcircleis
markedonmilitaryflying
maps.
4.Theturbinewillbe
markedonmilitarylow
flyingcharts(obstacles
over150ft.abovethe
surfaceareallmarked).
3x1
3
Expanded Notes from the Table
7/30/2019 Lichfield WInd Turbine Planning Application Aviation Report
26/31
JandSBostock Page26of31 RJC
ExpandedNotesfromtheTable
Item1. CircuittrafficintoNeedwoodhits turbine.ThisnoteshouldbereadwithreferencetothediagramonPage25.
Acurrentfixed-wingflyinginstructorandgliderp ilotprovidedtheseopinions, includingthemap. Thepilothasoverathousandhoursgliding,including
about10,000landings,mostoftheseasagliderinstructor.However,thishasnotincludedlandingatNeedwoodorCrossHayesasitwaspreviously
called.
The gliding club site (as per the Needwood Forest web site) is
orientedWNW/ESE.
Tatenhillaerodromeis a licensed aerodrome for aeroplanes,and is
situatedtotheNorthwestofthesite.Theglidermovementsshould
normallyremainoutsidetheAirTrafficZone(shownshadedonthe
map),and therefore allcircuitsat theglidingclub shouldbe tothe
Southoftheirfield,whichmeansthattheturbinewouldbeadjacent
totheglidercircuitpattern.
Notes
Onthemap,theglidingsitewarnsofglidertowingtoaheightof2400feetabovemeansealevelandtheheightoftheairfield
is320feetAMSL.
The 2km circle is a warning of winch launching to otherairspaceusers.Itisnotaprohibitedorrestrictedareaandis
notthepropertyofNeedwoodintermsofairspace.
ICAO1:500000mapshowingTatenhill
andCrossHayes(NeedwoodForestGC).Mapeditionforillustrativepurposesonly
N d d i i l d R 28
7/30/2019 Lichfield WInd Turbine Planning Application Aviation Report
27/31
JandSBostock Page27of31 RJC
WhenlandingtotheWest,theproposedturbine,
althoughclosetothecircuitdownwindleg,willbewell
belowtheglidercircuitheight,whichshouldideallybe
650feetabovethelandingareaatthatpoint.
WhenlandingtotheEast,theturbinewouldagainlie
closetothecircuitdownwindlegwhichwouldbe
expectedtoremainwellwithintheorangepathoverthe
groundonthediagram,whichisshownatapproximately
1000metresSouthofthelandingrunway.Closercircuits
wouldbeexpectedonadaywhenthethermalsusedby
gliderpilotstogainenergywouldalsobegenerating
sinkingairinotherplaces.AccordingtoBGApractice,
glidersatthispointshouldbemorethan500feet(150
metres)abovethelandingarea.Anyapproachesbelow
thatheight(emergencycircuits)wouldbeflowncloserto
thefield.
NeedwoodcircuitstolandRwy28
NeedwoodcircuitstolandRwy10
Whenthereisanortherlycomponenttoaneasterlywind,pilotscanbeexpectedtoflyevenclosertothelandingareasthantheorangepattern.
7/30/2019 Lichfield WInd Turbine Planning Application Aviation Report
28/31
JandSBostock Page28of31 RJC
y p y , p p y g g p
However,inrelativelycalmconditions,orwithagentlesoutherlycomponent,thereisapossibilitythatpilotsmayfollowawiderpattern,perhaps
closertothatdepictedinyellow,whichcouldbringtheirpathoverheadorslightlyoutsidetheproposedturbine(withitinclearsight).
However,itisextremelyunlikelythatagliderwouldbeasfarawayfromthelandingareaonitsdownwindlegastheyellowrouteindicates,unlessit
washigherthannormal.Atthatdistanceofonemile,ifthegliderwasataheightof600feet,thefieldwouldsubtendanangleofonly10degrees,
whichisnotaverycomfortableangleforagliderpilot.Nevertheless,asoutherlycomponentinthewindmightencourageapilotofahigh
performanceglidertobeinthatpositionatnormalcircuitheight.
Ifapilotfliesthewideyellowpatterninamodernhighperformanceglider,heshouldbeathisfinalturnpointtolineupataminimumof300feet
abovehislandingpoint.Pilotsareneverperfectsooneshouldassumetheyreach300feetduringtheturn.Ataglideangleof1in60(unattainable
withthegeardownbyanycurrentsailplane,buta'worstcase'scenariowithaSoutherlywind),thatpilotwillbeatorabove500feetabove
Needwoodwhenflyingpasttheproposedturbine.Heshouldbestartinghissubsequent45degreeturn,abeamhislandingareaabove500feetbut,
assaid,pilotsarenotperfect.However,iflower,heshouldhavemovedclosertothefieldduringthedownwindleg,takinghimselfinsidetheturbine
andclearofit,andthenormalpilottrainingtodothisprovidesamajorriskmitigation.
Eveninpoorvisibility,theriskofcontactwiththeturbineoritsbladesisveryslightifthebladetopisbelow300feetaboveNeedwoodandthisis
theheightoftheproposedturbineaboveground,whichattheturbinesiteis10metreslowerthanthegliderlandingarea.
Innormalvisibility,theturbinewouldbeobvioustoallpilotsapproachingthegliderfield,andapilotwouldnaturallyaimtoavoidflyingdirectly
overit.Itwouldbeanaturalreactiontoaimtomakeonescircuitpatterninsideit,whichiswherethenormalcircuitpatternwouldbeexpected,
unlessthepilotwaswellabovethetopofit.Inpoorvisibility,apilotwouldtendtoflyclosertohislandingarea.
However,gliderpilotsdooccasionallylandaroundduskandatthattimethewindtendstohavedropped,thermalturbulencehasceased,andthe
widercircuitisperhapsmorelikelytobeflown.Providingsomelightingoftheturbinetoattractpilotsattentionatthosetimeswouldmitigatethe
risk,andmayalsobevaluableduringovercastconditions.
AuthorsNote:TheapplicantshavelivedinBraddocksFarmfor twentyyearsandhavealways seenglidersoperatingtotheNorthoftheirpropertyand
nottotheSouthinthecircumstancesshownonthemapsonPage27.
7/30/2019 Lichfield WInd Turbine Planning Application Aviation Report
29/31
JandSBostock Page29of31 RJC
Item2 GlidersSoaring.TheonlyclaimforsafeguardingrestswithNeedwoodbecauseitiswithin2kmoftheturbine.Glidersridgesoaringoron
theirwaytoaridgesoaringareaarenormalen-routetrafficandresponsiblefortheirownsafetythroughseeandavoid,planning,airmanshipetc.As
en-routetraffic,gliderssoaringortransitingaresubjecttothe500footRuleandmustavoidtheexistingwindturbine.
Inpractice,theareaneartheturbineislikelytobeunsuitableasasoaringsiteduetothebrokengroundinalldirectionsreducingthelikelihoodoflift
inthearea.Gliderstransitingtootherridgelocationsareunlikelytobebelow500ftinthevicinityoftheproposedturbine.
Item3 Transitinglightaircrafttrafficcontactsturbine.Thesituationhereissimilartothatforgliderstransitingwiththeaddedprotectionthataircraft
otherthanglidersfromNeedwoodarerequestedtoavoidtheglidersiteannotatedontheCAAflyingcharts.Needwoodusesacablewinchtolaunch
glidersupto2000feetandthisisconsideredtobeagreaterhazardthanthewindturbine.Anyargumentthattransitingaircraftcouldbelostandfly
intotheturbineisequallyapplicabletothecableattheglidersite.
RestatinghowaircraftflyunderVisualFlightRules;-itisthepilotsresponsibilitytolookoutforotheraircraftandobstructionsandtoavoidthem.
Theminimumvisibilityof1500mmustbemaintainedandanyaircraftflyingunderInstrumentFlightRulesinavisibilityoflessthan1500mwillbe
wellabovetheheightoftheturbine,asitmustmaintaintheminimumsafeheightforthearea.
Item4 Militarylowflyingaircraftcontactsturbine.Thediscussionpointsfortransitingcivillightaircraftalsoapplytomilitaryaircraft.Militarylow
flyingissubjecttodetailedplanningbeforetheflighttakesplace.InformingtheMilitaryAviationAuthorityoftheexistenceoftheturbinebefore
constructionbeginsshouldprovidenotificationandincludetheturbineasafeaturetobeavoided,notonlyattheplanningstagebutalsoduringflight
whenthecrewreferstothemap.
7/30/2019 Lichfield WInd Turbine Planning Application Aviation Report
30/31
JandSBostock Page30of31 RJC
Conclusion
Thisassessmentconcludesthattheerectionofa75mwindturbinenearHamstellRidware:
1. Generally,willhaveminimaleffectonglidersoperatingfromNeedwoodForestglidingsiteorforotheraircrafttransitingthroughthearea.Itwillbethepilotsresponsibilitytoavoidtheturbineasitisforanyotherenrouteobstacle.The2kmcircleshownonthemaparoundtheglidingsitealreadywarnsotherairspaceusersoftheglidingactivityandwinchcableandthiswillkeepotheraircraftclearoftheturbine.
2. Specifically,willhaveaminoreffectonNeedwoodGlidingsite.Undersomelightingconditionstheturbinestructuremaybedifficulttoseeorcouldbe forgottenthroughfamiliarity. Theremay bea case for awarning lighton topoftheturbine,but itis unlikelythatgliders will be
operatinginsuchconditions.Itisstressedthattheriskisconsideredacceptablewithoutthisaddition.
NeitheroftheseconclusionsshouldprecludetheerectionofawindturbinenearHamstellRidwareongroundsofaviationsafety.
TheRiskAnalysisdoesnothighlightanyriskrequiringmitigationotherthannormalaviationpracticessuchasNOTAMsandadherencetotheRules
oftheAir.However,theturbinecouldbemademorevisibleifthisisacceptableonotherplanninggrounds.Thatsaid,thereisnorequirementforan
en-routeobstacletobelitifitisunder150mtall(Article128oftheANOrefers,SeePage 11).
Bob
Commander
Digitally signed by Bob
Commander
DN: cn=Bob Commander,
o=Commander Aviation Services
Ltd, ou,email=bob@commanderaviations
ervices.com, c=GB
Date: 2012.03.19 10:17:18 Z
7/30/2019 Lichfield WInd Turbine Planning Application Aviation Report
31/31
JandSBostock Page31of31 RJC
CAAAdvice
Whilethisreportisbasedentirelyontheopinionsoftheauthor,advicehasbeensoughtfromtheCAA.TheCAAhasofficesinLondonandGatwick
aswellasregionalofficesaroundthecountry.TheLondonofficehousestheDirectorateofAirspacePolicy(DAP)whileGatwickishometoSafety
RegulationGroup(SRG).
DAPisresponsiblefortheplanningandregulationofallUKairspaceincludingthenavigationandcommunicationsinfrastructuretosupportsafeand
efficientoperations.DAPsAirspaceUtilisationSectionisthefocalpointfortheintegrateduseofairspace,includingpermissionswhererequired
undertheANOasmentionedinthisreport.
SRGsetscertainnationalsafetystandards.Inparallel,itoverseestheactivitiesoftheaviationcommunityanditslevelofcompliancewithboth
nationalandEuropeansafetystandards.
Inparticular,theFlightOperationsDepartmentofSRGincludesasectiondevotedtoGeneralAviationmatters:
FlightOperationsInspectorate-GeneralAviation
SafetyRegulationGroup Tel: 01293573525 Fax: 01293573973 mailto:[email protected]
NationalAirTrafficServices( NATS)areresponsibleforNOTAMsandprovidethe AeronauticalInformationService describedinthisreport.
BobCommander Tel: 01342718879 13February2012
CommanderAviationServicesLtd [email protected] CompanyReg:6707598