UK Aeronautical Information System
The UK AIS is an on line facility providing a wealth of information for pilots and clubs. The system is available on the web and is managed by NATS (National Air Traffic Services).
Information for UK pilots, and legal issues, are contained in three principle documents which used only to be available in paper form, and had periodically to be updated by changing pages, but are now available on line. These are:
The UK Aeronautical Information Package (AIP)
- Static information, updated every 28 days, containing information of
lasting (permanent) character essential to air navigation. A new feature
since November 2004 is the ability to cut and paste sections of this
document on line (previously, the only way to extract such data was to copy
it out by hand);
The Air Navigation Order, which can be downloaded and
stored as a document
The Rules of the Air which also can be downloaded and
stored as a document.
There are also:
UK AIP Supplements (SUPs) - Temporary changes to the AIP,
usually of long duration, containing comprehensive text and/or graphics.
Aeronautical Information Circulars (AICs) - Notices
relating to safety, navigation, technical, administrative or legal matters.
All these are additional to Notices to Airmen (NOTAM) - Notices concerning the condition or change to any facility, service or procedure notified within the AIP. NOTAM are available in the form of Pre-Flight Information Bulletins (PIB) using a live database, and should be checked daily before flying.
For Gliders we have reviewed the excellent website from the
BGA (British Gliding Association). We enclose their detailed guidance for obtaining a
"Narrow Route Briefing" for gliding purposes
available here.
A new feature in the UK AIP, being able to copy and paste sections of text,
enables pilots to seek clarification of any points needed. Registration is required to use the site, but access is free
of charge.
Click here to access the UK AIS Login Page
Pre-prepared Preflight Information Bulletins (PIBs) are also available on the NATS web site. These are updated twice daily and valid for both IFR & VFR flights from the period indicated on the bulletin. NATS stress that these should only be used as a back-up measure in case of difficulty in accessing the real time information from the AIS site. These PIBs can be found as follows:
LONDON FIR & AERODROME IFR/VFR BRIEFING
SCOTTISH FIR & AERODROME IFR/VFR BRIEFING
LONDON FIR IFR/VFR BRIEFING
SCOTTISH FIR IFR/VFR BRIEFING