§ Mr. Robert Atkinsasked the Minister for Trade what controls are exercised by National Air Traffic Services over the separation and route patterns of North Atlantic Treaty Organisation and other military aircraft in the vicinity of Dyce airport, Aberdeen.
§ Dr. Vaughan[pursuant to his reply, 21 July 1982, c. 155–6]: Within the Aberdeen special rules airspace—SRA—surrounding Aberdeen airport all aircraft must comply with instructions from air traffic control. Outside that airspace a flight information service is provided and known aircraft are given advice, which enables them to maintain safe separation from other known traffic. Some of the area is covered by radar. A system of standard routes and procedures is published in the United Kingdom "Air Pilot". This is designed to facilitate safe separation between aircraft operating in the area and between military and civil traffic but the responsibility for separation rests with the pilots, all of whom are subject to the necessary briefings by their operating companies or military formations.
§ Mr. Robert Atkinsasked the Minister for Trade if he is satisfied with the operation of air traffic control facilities at Dyce airport, Aberdeen; and if he will make a statement concerning recent separation difficulties and the need for secondary surveillance radar.
§ Dr. Vaughan[pursuant to his reply, 21 July 1982, c. 155.]: The ATC facility at Aberdeen—Dyce—Airport is operated by the National Air Traffic Services—NATS. I understand that the controller, NATS, is looking into the allegations contained in a recent press article about air traffic operations around Aberdeen and will be advising my Department and the Ministry of Defence when all the related facts have been mustered. The complex air traffic situation in the area has been, and is, kept under constant review and a number of air traffic control improvements have been made as traffic has increased and after consultation with the aircraft operators.
The primary radar at Aberdeen airport is to be augmented with secondary radar—SSR—as soon as the equipment can be obtained, installed and tested, and this will assist the controllers in their task.