“Firstly the staff at Hawarden are very aware of the type of traffic in the area and want it to remain class G. However due to increased traffic, particularly the Belugas, they really need to be aware of what a pilots intentions are. This will help them coordinate with traffic coming in and out of Hawarden better.
There is still a consultation process going on and they are actively listening to pilots comments and their concerns.
Following on from previous feedback the proposed RMZ area has now been reduced. LLandegla is no longer in the RMZ, but more importantly to Liverpool users the Chester VRP is now outside the RMZ too.
The amended design is much better for us Liverpool users as traffic going north/south via Chester will not need to contact Hawarden. However if you go to Chester then turn west for Wales you would need to contact them – I think this would be rare for Liverpool users as they would normally go via Neston to reach Wales.
For those aircraft which are non-radio equipped, there will be a telephone line available to pre-arrange a transit before taking off. I don’t think this would apply to users of Liverpool who already have radios anyway.
The controllers at Hawarden have no power to control you at all – you are still in class G. However they may request that you route a certain way to avoid traffic, the pilot is under no legal obligation to comply
Finally, the RMZ will be proposed to the CAA in early 2015 with a view to becoming active later in the year. When the RMZ is active anyone transiting the area without establishing radio communications (i.e. a basic service at least) will be prosecuted under the ANO.”