GVC Airspace Management & NOTAMs — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the correct process for a commercial drone operator to obtain airspace permission to fly within a controlled aerodrome's ATZ?
- Contact the aerodrome's air traffic control (ATC) or AFIS unit directly and obtain verbal or written permission before flight (Correct answer)
- Submit a NOTAM through NATS at least 7 days in advance
- Register the flight on the CAA drone portal — this automatically grants ATZ access
- No permission is needed if the flight is below 50 m AGL within an ATZ
Correct answer: Contact the aerodrome's air traffic control (ATC) or AFIS unit directly and obtain verbal or written permission before flight
To enter an Aerodrome Traffic Zone, the drone operator must contact the ATC or AFIS unit responsible for that aerodrome and receive explicit permission. This permission is usually verbal, and the operator should record details in their flight log. Some aerodromes may require advance notice.
Question 2: Where can a commercial drone operator obtain official NOTAMs for pre-flight airspace planning?
- The NATS NOTAMam service, the CAA AIS portal, or CAA-approved drone apps that aggregate NOTAM data (Correct answer)
- Only via direct telephone call to NATS
- NOTAMs are not publicly accessible — only airlines have access
- Local council planning departments issue NOTAMs for drone operations
Correct answer: The NATS NOTAMam service, the CAA AIS portal, or CAA-approved drone apps that aggregate NOTAM data
NOTAMs are publicly accessible through NATS (National Air Traffic Services) AIS (Aeronautical Information Service) and the CAA's information portals. Multiple approved drone apps such as Altitude Angel and NATS Drone Assist aggregate this data in a more user-friendly format for drone pilots.
Question 3: A NOTAM contains the time code 'B) 2603151400 C) 2603151800'. What does this indicate?
- The restriction is active from 14:00 UTC on 15 March 2026 to 18:00 UTC on 15 March 2026 (Correct answer)
- The restriction applies for 14 to 18 hours per day indefinitely
- The NOTAM expires 14 to 18 days after its issue date
- The restricted area covers altitudes between 1400 and 1800 feet
Correct answer: The restriction is active from 14:00 UTC on 15 March 2026 to 18:00 UTC on 15 March 2026
NOTAM time codes use the format YYMMDDHHMM in UTC. B) indicates the start time and C) the end time. So B) 2603151400 = 14:00 UTC on 15 March 2026, and C) 2603151800 = 18:00 UTC on 15 March 2026. Drone pilots must decode these correctly to determine when restrictions are active.
Question 4: What is Airspace Coordination Notice (ACN) in the context of commercial drone operations?
- A system for drone operators to notify ATC of planned operations in certain airspace, improving awareness for both parties (Correct answer)
- The formal name for a NOTAM issued by a drone operator
- A document required only for BVLOS operations
- A CAA certification for airspace management specialists
Correct answer: A system for drone operators to notify ATC of planned operations in certain airspace, improving awareness for both parties
Some drone operators use coordination notices or formal pre-notification systems (such as those offered through drone traffic management platforms) to share flight intentions with ATC and other airspace users. This voluntary coordination improves safety by reducing surprise encounters between drones and manned aircraft.
Question 5: What does 'Class D' airspace mean for a commercial drone operator planning a flight?
- Controlled airspace where ATC clearance is required; drone operators must contact the relevant ATC unit and receive permission before entry (Correct answer)
- Airspace reserved exclusively for military drones
- Airspace where drones are permanently prohibited
- Airspace with no special requirements for drones below 400 ft
Correct answer: Controlled airspace where ATC clearance is required; drone operators must contact the relevant ATC unit and receive permission before entry
Class D is controlled airspace, commonly surrounding busy regional airports and approach paths. All aircraft, including drones, require ATC clearance to enter. Commercial drone operators must establish two-way radio communication or an approved equivalent and obtain clearance before operating in Class D.
Question 6: What is U-space in the context of UK drone airspace management?
- A framework of digital services designed to support safe drone integration into airspace, including registration, geofencing, and traffic management (Correct answer)
- A designated physical area exclusively for drone deliveries
- A CAA software tool for filing NOTAMs
- A type of transponder required for all commercial drones
Correct answer: A framework of digital services designed to support safe drone integration into airspace, including registration, geofencing, and traffic management
U-space is a set of services and procedures designed to allow safe and efficient access to airspace for large numbers of drones. It includes services such as drone registration, flight authorisation, weather information, geofencing enforcement, and drone traffic management — enabling coexistence of manned and unmanned traffic.
GVC Airspace Management & NOTAMs
What is the correct process for a commercial drone operator to obtain airspace permission to fly within a controlled aerodrome's ATZ?