FAQs

Our location  

Birmingham airport is located 5 nautical miles east of the city of Birmingham. The M42 Motorway runs north to south approximately 1.5 nm east of the aerodrome, and the M6 Motorway runs North West – South East approximately 3 nm north of the aerodrome. The M40/M42 interchange is within the CTR SFC-4500’.

 

What is the Importance of 0010 “Birmingham Listening Out” Squawk ?

The 0010 Squawk can be used to monitor aircraft remaining outside controlled airspace listening out to 123.980. Please note:

• Pilots are to remain outside controlled airspace
• It is critical that pilots maintain a listening watch on 123.980
• Pilots are not in receipt of an ATC service
• Pilots are to select mode Charlie on their transponders on the current Birmingham QNH
• Keep 0010 selected until clear of the lateral limits of Birmingham CAS, including the CTA
• Pilots may be addressed by ATC in order to assist with identification if required.

 

Why does Birmingham have Controlled Airspace ?

Birmingham has controlled airspace (CAS) to protect commercial IFR traffic operating 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. In this airspace, aircraft are vectored in the most safe and expeditious way to get them onto an airway, normally via a Standard Instrument Departure. There are also Noise Preferential Routes (NPR’s) to avoid overflying large settlements, particularly at night time. CAS also protects inbound aircraft positioning for final approach and landing. You will find most controlled airspace has odd shapes to facilitate the above. Aircraft flying in controlled airspace must be in radio contact at all times, and can only enter once cleared to do so by the controller.

 

I wish to Remain Outside Controlled Airspace, do I have to talk to anyone ?

No. However, if you want a Basic or Traffic Service you can contact various ATC units. You can contact Birmingham on 123.980 but this is the primary approach frequency for Birmingham and we can be very busy. Be aware that the Class G airspace between the Birmingham CTA and the East Midlands CTA can be very busy, as there are a large number of aircraft that use this portion of airspace to transit between the north and south and vice versa. East Midlands do offer a LARS service on 134.180, Shawbury operate a LARS on 133.150, as well as Brize Norton on 124.275. London Information operate on 124.750.

 

Navigating around Birmingham controlled airspace

Being in the Centre of the country and having various motorways in the vicinity, Birmingham has plenty of VRP’s in the area. Check out our VRP page to learn more. EGBB VRPs