4. Summary

  1. This Aviation, Military and Communications Technical Report provides a detailed description of aviation, military and communications activity in the vicinity of the Array.
  2. To identify and characterise aviation, military and communications receptors, a broad study area has been defined and covers the aviation radar systems that potentially detect the maximum (highest) wind turbine blade tip height of 399 m above LAT. The aviation, military and communications study area is presented in Figure 2.1   Open ▸ .
  3. Consideration of the Array’s potential to impact on aviation receptors has been undertaken in accordance with the recommended consultation distance of within 30 km of an aerodrome with a surveillance radar facility, stated in CAP 764 (CAA, 2016a). However, CAP 764 (CAA, 2016a) states that the operational range of a radar system is dependent on the type of radar used and its operational requirement. Radar impact is dependent on radar detectability of operational wind turbines, the radar's operational range and the use of airspace in which the development sits.
  4. Radar LoS analysis indicates that the Perwinnes PSR will theoretically detect operational wind turbines at a maximum height of 399 m LAT. The Allanshill PSR will theoretically detect intermittently, operational wind turbines within the northern quarter of the Array (the closest to the radar location).
  5. Radar LoS analysis predicts that the operation of the Buchan ADR may be theoretically impacted by the detection of operational wind turbines within the Array, at a maximum height of 399 m LAT. The results for the Brizlee Wood ADR are mixed. Intermittent detection cannot be ruled out in the southernmost part of the Array (the closest to the radar location).


5. References

CAA (2016a). CAP 764 Policy and Guidelines on Wind Turbines. Available at: http://publicapps.caa.co.uk/modalapplication.aspx?catid=33&pagetype=65&appid=11&mode=detail&id=5609. Accessed on: 01 August 2022.

CAA (2016b, as amended in 2022) CAP 393 The Air Navigation Order. Available at: https://publicapps.caa.co.uk/modalapplication.aspx?appid=11&mode=detail&id=7523. Accessed on: 01 July 2023.

CAA (2019). CAP 670 Air Traffic Services Safety Requirements. Available at: https://publicapps.caa.co.uk/modalapplication.aspx?catid=1&pagetype=65&appid=11&mode=detail&id=9124. Accessed on: 01 July 2023.

CAA (2020). CAP 738 Safeguarding of Aerodromes. Available at: https://publicapps.caa.co.uk/modalapplication.aspx?appid=11&mode=detail&id=576. Accessed on: 01 July 2023.

CAA (2022a). CAP 168 Licensing of Aerodromes. Available at: https://publicapps.caa.co.uk/modalapplication.aspx?appid=11&mode=detail&id=6114. Accessed on: 01 July 2023.

CAA (2022b). Visual Flight Rules (VFR) Charts.

CAA (2022c). CAP 785B Implementation and Safeguarding of Instrument Flight Procedures (IFP) in the UK. Available at: http://publicapps.caa.co.uk/modalapplication.aspx?appid=11&mode=detail&id=3965. Accessed on: 01 June 2023

CAA (2023). CAP 032 UK Aeronautical Information Publication Available at: https://publicapps.caa.co.uk/modalapplication.aspx?catid=1&pagetype=65&appid=11&mode=detail&id=223. Accessed on: 01 July 2023.

Department for Energy Security & Net Zero (DESNZ) (2023). Overarching National Policy Statement for Energy (NPS EN-1). Available at: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1147380/NPS_EN-1.pdf. Accessed on: 01 June 2023.

ICAO (2018). International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) Document 8168 Ops/611 Procedures for Air Navigation Services - Aircraft Operations (PANS-Ops).

ICAO (2022). ICAO Annex 14 Aerodromes Design and Operations contains Standards and Recommended Procedures (SARPs).

Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) (2021). Safety of Navigation Offshore Renewable Energy Installations (OREIs) - Maritime Guidance Note (MGN) 654. Guidance on UK Navigational Practice, Safety and Emergency Response. Available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/mgn-654-mf-offshore-renewable-energy-installations-orei-safety-response. Accessed on: 01 July 2023.

Ministry of Defence (MOD) (2020). Lighting Review.

Ministry of Defence (MOD) (2023a). Military Aeronautical Information Publication (Mil AIP).

Ministry of Defence (MOD) (2023b). UK En Route Low Altitude North Sea West Offshore Installations Chart - UK (Low) 5 OIL.

Operational Programme for the Exchange of Weather Radar Information (OPERA) (2009). Statement on the cohabitation between weather radars and wind turbines.

[1] Air Traffic Service. An Air Traffic Service is provided to expedite and maintain an orderly flow of air traffic, and provide advice and information useful for the safe and efficient conduct of flights. ATC are able to notify appropriate organisations regarding aircraft in need of search and rescue aid and assist such organisations as required.

[2] Radar Cross Section is a measure of how detectable an object is by radar. A larger RCS indicates that an object is more easily detectable than a lower RCS. While important in detecting targets, strength of emitter and distance are not factors that affect the calculation of an RCS because RCS is a property of the target’s reflectivity.