OOH Procedures During Aerodrome Works
Summer Out Of Hours (OOH) flying has now returned. This allows pilots who hold the privilege on their ID card to operate from Blackbushe between 18:00 and Sunset + 20mins daily.
There are a few general reminders to pilots regarding OOH:
Make sure your ID card is in date. If it’s expired, please complete the ID Card form to renew.
Remind yourself of the OOH Policy.
Remember OOH must be pre-booked.
Your nominated contact must not be somebody on the aircraft. It must be somebody on the ground who is waiting for your call to confirm you’ve landed.
Make sure you’re planning your whole trip. In the past 10 years we’ve had 2 occurrences involving pilots returning significantly past sunset, without aerodrome lighting. These will be reported to the CAA. In one case this resulted in a pilot being prosecuted by the CAA. Both occurrences were avoidable, pilots suffering from ‘press-on-itis’ when faced with fading light.
On landing, remember to send your landing time to the tower.
Reminder that all aircraft must be landed by Sunset + 20 minutes. This is part of our mitigations in the safety case supporting OOH operations when there is no ATSU.
WORKS ON AERODROME
Our Phase 1A works continue, with the new taxiway alignment now surfaced. Works continue on the drainage and lighting for this section. Over the coming weeks, our contractors will focus on a large underground soakaway in the SW corner of the airport. For this reason, Taxiway E will remain closed until at least the end of April, with access only for aircraft based in the W hangars. Remember that the main taxiway through the parking areas has now been renamed Taxiway F, as per the NOTAM, and our update from 6th March.
Aerial view of the new taxiway alignment
OOH AVAILABILITY LIMITATIONS
As work continues, there will be times when overnight works will take place to shift excavated material across the runway. These works will normally commence at 18:00, and so OOH will be unavailable on these dates.
The first of these dates will be Tuesday 7th, Wednesday 8th, and Thursday 9th April. The aerodrome will close at 18:00 and OOH flying is not permitted on these dates. A NOTAM has been issued to this effect.
We will need to plan in more of these dates, but will endeavour to accommodate existing bookings where possible. Therefore, if you are planning a trip at the moment, and are anticipating to use the airport after hours, can we ask you to submit an OOH form as soon as you know your plans. Don’t wait for the day to do it!
We can accept OOH bookings now, all the way through to October, and if they are planned in, we can work with contractors to minimise disruption. If you haven’t booked in, we may schedule overnight works at short notice, and you may therefore be disappointed.
Exercise Caution OOH
When operating OOH please make sure you exercise greater caution this year. Remember:
Aircraft ahead may need to backtrack and vacate at Taxiway D. Don’t continue your approach and leave your go-around too late.
Be on the lookout for works equipment, cones, and other obstacles around you. The aerodrome landscape is changing daily, so be vigilant.
Check your NOTAMs for the latest information on works.
We thank you in advance for your cooperation whilst these works are ongoing. These have been carefully planned to minimise disruption to airport users. Please also exercise caution when taxiing, as some users may not be as familiar with the new layout.
If you have any questions, please contact us.
