Can I fly VFR in Class A 2500+ LONDON TMA 1?

[Hangar34]

As I understand it, a pilot is not allowed to fly VFR in Class A controlled airspace.

Am I right in understanding that around London there is the Class A 2500+ LONDON TMA 1 and what that basically means is that I can fly VFR in those areas as long as I am under 2500ft, i.e. 2500ft (and above) are considered controlled as Class A?

[tim arnot]

Correct. The TMA is class A, in which VFR flight is prohibited. In effect it is a glass ceiling. To the North, you have effectively a corridor that runs between Heathrow/City and Luton/Stansted. Similarly to the south there is another rat run between Heathrow and Gatwick. As you go further out from London the TMA rises - 3500, 4500, 5500.

There is however SVFR access to the Heathrow CTR, particularly for traffic to/from Denham & Fairoaks, plus defined helicopter routes http://www.caa.co.uk/docs/7/20100316LondonHeliChart.pdf These are all closely controlled RW.

There is also a TMA around Manchester, and here we lave a small corridor between Manchester and Liverpool, known as the Low Level Route (LLR). This is a narrow north-south corridor though which you can fly not above 1250 ft AMSL.

RW Infringement of the TMA is treated much the same way as infringing the DC ADIZ in the US. (you probably won't be intercepted [although there *were* 13 interceptions made during the Olympics], but there will certainly be an Interview Without Coffee in your near future with Men In Suits)

[Hangar34]

Thanks Tim for what is a very concise, and very easy to understand explanation of these restricted airspaces.

My knowledge of real-world controlled airspace, MATZ penetration etc. is pretty much non-existant, but just armed with this small amount of knowledge now, I feel I can generate some flight plans that go along way towards being somewhat more realistic... cheers!

Would you happen to know, if I were to dig out a copy of MyTrafficX that I used to have and install it, would I see airliner class aircraft landing and departing at Heathrow/Gatwick/Luton/Stansted above this altitude and somewhat 'obeying' these controlled airspace altitudes? If not, don't worry.

[tim arnot]

As far as I know, AI traffic in FS does not heed airspace restrictions. In any case, airliners will be IFR and so unaffected by the Class A glass ceiling.

[Hangar34]

Ah ok, thanks for confirming that Tim.