§ Mr. Sheermanasked the Secretary of State for Transport if he has any plans to permit gliders to enter controlled airspace at specified entry and exit points.
§ Mr. Michael SpicerGliders are at present permitted to cross airways in visual meteorological conditions by day without compliance with normal air traffic control rules. This anomaly is causing concern among airways users, and a solution to the problem is under discussion within the forum of the National Air Traffic Management Advisory Committee.
Gliders are also permitted to enter some, but not all, control areas, control zones and special rules zones; such access is not normally limited to specific entry or exit points.
The National Air Traffic Services (NATS) has no plans to permit additional access by gliders to existing regulated airspace.
When new regulated airspace needs to be created, the question of access by gliders is considered in the light of local circumstances, and appropriate concessions are made if this is possible.