UK Airspace infringements by paramotor pilots
The following is a letter to all paramotorists operating in the UK from Ian Stanyon, DSC Airspace officer:
Two airspace infringements have been reported by the CAA in RHADS (Doncaster) airspace most likely by paramotor pilots due to the straight line flights shown on the radar tracks and the prevailing weather conditions on the days not suited to soaring flight.
If any pilot knows that he or she may have strayed into the airspace described below we would like to talk to you as soon as possible. Or if you know of any pilot(s) that may have been responsible please get in touch with me, Ian Stanyon either by phone, 01433 620051 or by email.
We will arrange briefings to suit. Our aim and that of the CAA is to educate pilots to avoid any future infringements.
On the 31st August at 1510 local time, 3 parasails were observed 5nm southeast of Doncaster Airport at an estimated height of 1500 to 2500 feet. The pilots were tracking northeast and continued to Haxey, 5nm East of Doncaster Airport, before continuing north passing east of Sandtoft Aerodrome. The parasails displayed on radar and the pilots entered controlled airspace without permission during their flight. The Worksop corridor had not been activated.
A second infringement occurred on the 11th September at 1130 local time. An unknown radar return was seen intermittently 4nm east of Doncaster Sheffield airport and tracking generally north. The pilot continued to fly toward Blaxton, just north of the airport, and faded from radar cover about 3nm north of the airport. The Aerodrome controller spotted the parasail but couldn’t see whether the pilot had a motor attached. This pilot entered the Doncaster Sheffield CTR. An ILS calibration aircraft was operating on runway 20 and was advised of the infringing aircraft. He commented that he’d seen it and thought he’d ’scared the pilot’ by passing him. It’s believed the pilot then landed.
The pilot(s) may have been operating on more than these two occasions but not seen on the radar and it’s important for all to locate the pilot for some education on the airspace operations. The Class D airspace for Doncaster Sheffield airport was established at the end of August 2008. Unfortunately, the 1:250000 charts were not updated at that time and sheet 6 of eastern England, which this pilot may be using either hard copy or electronically, may not show the airspace until its next cycle later this year.
The CAA action plan is now to approach as many clubs, operators and retailers as possible to promote the message about the airspace and who to contact for information on the use of it. The next step after that is to try and find a way to educate the pilots in the use of the airspace.
Derbyshire Soaring Club (DSC) are signatories to the Agreement with the CAA in respect of all foot launched aircraft inside class D airspace for Doncaster Airport  and are able to provide suitable a briefing for pilots. However, the CAA would also be talking about educating non-members who may not wish to take up an offer to join the DSC which leaves a confidence gap after the initial education as to the currency of the non-member pilots. It is likely that the CAA will be introducing more guidance for non BHPA/ DSC pilots.
The primary radar system covering Doncaster airspace has recently been updated and is more able to pick up radar traces of our types of wings; any future infringements will be recorded and reported very quickly.  It is therefore vitally important to make sure that pilots abide by the rules of the LOA’s (Letters of Agreement) and ensure that we fly within the agreed rules for RHADS airspace.
Thank you for your cooperation.
Ian Stanyon
DSC Airspace officer
Discuss here
