NEW ADVICE FOR MATZ

08 Feb 2010

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NATS has issued new guidance for pilots wishing to transit Military Air Traffic Zones (MATZ).

The guidance is AIC Y 002/2010, (Yellow2 276) dated 28-JAN-2010:

MILITARY AERODROME TRAFFIC ZONES.

1 Introduction

1.1 The purpose of this Circular is to remind pilots of the principles behind the establishment and operation of Military Aerodrome Traffic Zones (MATZ) and to highlight the procedures that are employed in order to ensure that a safe and expeditious service can be provided to pilots in transit through the associated airspace.

2 Description

2.1 MATZ are established at the locations listed in the UK AIP ENR 2-2-3-3 and depicted on the chart at ENR 6-2-2-3-1. The purpose of a MATZ is to provide a volume of airspace within which increased protection can be given to aircraft in the critical stages of departure, arrival or while operating in the circuit. In general, the MATZ dimensions are as follows:
a The airspace within 5 nm radius of the mid-point of the longest runway from the surface to 3000 ft aal;
b the airspace within a stub or stubs projected from the above airspace having a length of 5 nm along the centre-line(s) alignedwith the selected final approach path(s), and a width of 4 nm (2 nm either side of the centre-line) from 1000 ft aal to 3000 ft aal;
c exceptions to the above exist; however, for details of the dimensions of specific zones and the associated stub(s) see ENR 2-2•3-3 and ENR 6-2-2-3-1.

2.2 Where two or more MATZ are grouped together, designated a Combined MATZ (CMATZ), one aerodrome is nominated as the Controlling Aerodrome. In these circumstances, the upper limit of each MATZ, within the CMATZ, is determined with reference to the elevation of the higher (or highest) aerodrome in the CMATZ.

2.3 An ATZ (Aerodrome Traffic Zone), as defined in the Air Navigation Order, exists within a MATZ and is based upon the same reference point as defined in paragraph 2.1 (a) and detailed at ENR 2-2-3-3. Although civil recognition of a MATZ is not mandatory, pilots are to comply with the provisions of the current Rules of the Air Regulations in respect of the ATZ. The notified hours of operation of an ATZ may vary from the notified hours of watch of a MATZ.

3 Procedures for Penetration of a MATZ

3.1 A MATZ Penetration Service is available from the controlling aerodromes listed in the UK ENR 2-2-3-3. The aim of the service is to provide increased protection to RTF equipped aircraft which require to transit through the zone.

3.2 Pilots wishing to penetrate a MATZ, and where required the associated ATZ, are requested to observe the following procedures:
a When 15 nm or 5 minutes flying time from the zone boundary, whichever is the greater, established two-way RTF communication with the controlling aerodrome on the appropriate frequency using the phraseology;
b when the call is acknowledged and when asked to ‘pass your message’, the pilot should pass the following information: (i) Callsign;  (ii)  Type of aircraft;  (iii) Position;  (iv) Heading;  (v)  Altitude;  (vi) Intentions (eg destination and the intention to route through on or more ATZ);
c comply with any instructions issued by the controller;
d maintain a listing watch on the allocated RTF frequency until the aircraft is clear of the MATZ/ATZ;
e advise the controller when the aircraft is clear of the MATZ/ATZ.

3.3 It should be noted that the flight conditions are not required unless requested by the controller and that terrain clearance will be the responsibility of the pilot. In addition, since compliance is not compulsory for civil aircraft, some aircraft within the MATZ may not be known to the controller and therefore all pilots should maintain a good look-out at all times.

3.4 The military Air Traffic Service Unit (ATSU), providing the MATZ Penetration Service will normally continue with the service that the aircraft was previously receiving. In the interests of flight safety and good airmanship, it is strongly recommended that all pilots not previously receiving and ATZ obtain a MATZ penetration ‘approval from the MATZ operating authority prior to entering a matz. It is recognised that most MATZ crossing/penetration ‘approvals’ will be obtained via RTF by pilots in receipt of an ATSOCAS; however, it should be possible for a pilot to request MATZ crossing/penetration ‘approval’ without the use of radio (ie by prior agreement via telephone). In accordance with Class G airspace classification and the rules of ATSOCAS, pilots are ultimately responsible for maintaining their own separation against other airspace users within the MATZ. Occasionally, a change in service may need to be negotiated in order to facilitate the MATZ crossing and the advisory information and/or instructions passed by the ATSU will accord with the service being provided. In the event of no radar being available, a non-Radar Basic Service, and/or routing instructions, might be provided to aircraft penetrating the MATZ.

3.5 Where a MATZ penetration approval cannot be issued, pilots are advised to avoid the MATZ, notwithstanding any action necessary to maintain the safety of the aircraft and/or its occupants.

3.6 When crossing a MATZ or CMATZ it is the responsibility of the pilot to ensure that clearance is obtained to transit each individual ATZ embedded therein. The pilot, in his request for clearance to transit the MATZ/CMATZ, may ask the controller to obtain such clearance(s) on his behalf. When issuing any clearance to cross a MATZ or CMATZ controllers are, where appropriate, clearly any approval or otherwise to transit embedded ATZs.

3.7 If appropriate, controllers will endeavour to co-ordinate flights with the controlling of an adjacent MATZ, but pilots should not assume clearance to penetrate another MATZ until it is explicitly given.

3.8 To enable vertical separation to be applied, all aircraft will be given an altimeter setting to use within the MATZ. Normally this will be the aerodrome QFE, with the exception of the following:
a Within the Odiham MATZ the transit pressure setting will be the Farnborough QNH;
b within the Warton MATZ the setting will be the Warton QNH;
c within the Lakenheath/Mildenhall MATZ the setting will be the Lakenheath QNH;
d in the case of overlapping MATZs, the altimeter setting to be used will be the QFE of the higher or highest aerodrome of the CMATZ. This will be passed as the ‘Clutch QFE’.

4 Availability of the MATZ Penetration Service
4.1 A MATZ Penetration Service will be available during the published hours of watch of the respective ATS Units. However, as many units are often open for flying outside normal operating hours, pilots should call for the penetration service irrespective of the hours of watch published. If, outside normal operating hours, no reply is received after two consecutive calls, pilots are advised to proceed with caution. Information on the operation of aerodromes outside their normal operating hours may be obtained by telephone from the appropriate Military Air Traffic Control Centre:
a North of 5400N - Telephone: Scottish ATCC (Mil) 01292-692281;
b South of 5400N - Telephone: London ATCC (Mil) 01489-612406.

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