Background to the regulation
The ordinance is based on the legal foundations of the Air Traffic Act (Section 32 (4) and (4c)) and the Air Traffic Regulations (Section 33 (2)). These regulations were last updated in December 2023 in order to meet current aviation safety requirements and environmental protection standards. The ordinance was issued in consultation with the Federal Environment Agency to ensure that flight procedures are implemented in an environmentally friendly manner and with the least possible noise pollution.
Objectives and significance of the new regulations
- Clarification of flight procedures: The regulation defines clear flight corridors and reporting points for pilots to ensure the safety and efficiency of air traffic.
- Reduction of environmental pollution: Emissions and noise pollution are to be reduced by optimising flight routes.
- Increasing road safety: The introduction of mandatory reporting points and holding loops improves coordination between pilots and air traffic controllers, especially in busy airspaces such as the Hamburg area.
The main changes
The regulation describes in detail the procedures for:
- Mandatory registration points: Eight specific points, such as the Wedel marina (HOTEL) and the Hamburg-Ost motorway junction (DELTA), have been defined to provide pilots with clear orientation aids.
- Approach procedure: Specific course instructions are defined in degrees for the route guidance from the last mandatory reporting point to landing. Communication with the aerodrome control centre plays a central role here.
- Waiting loops: Three standardised holding loops to the north-east, south-west and west of Hamburg Airport are planned to enable the safe staggering of air traffic.
- Departure procedure: Detailed course descriptions and turn-by-turn instructions ensure a safe and orderly departure from Hamburg airspace.
Technical details
- Reporting points: The mandatory reporting points were selected so that they represent prominent, easily identifiable geographical references. Examples include bridges, motorway junctions and prominent buildings.
- Flight altitude limitation: All approaches and departures must be made below 2500 feet.
- Communication: Radio communication with the Hamburg aerodrome control centre must be established at least five minutes before reaching a mandatory reporting point.
Effects of the new regulation
- For pilots: The regulation provides clear guidance. At the same time, pilots must carefully study the new routes and procedures in order to comply with the regulations.
- For residents: The optimisation of flight routes and the strict limitation of flight altitudes promise a reduction in noise and environmental pollution.
- For air traffic control: The introduction of standardised procedures facilitates the work of air traffic controllers and minimises the risk of incidents in increasingly dense air traffic.
Source references:
NFL (the link requires a subscription to Eisenschmidt)