Flying info

Low flying

Low flying is an essential skill for aircrew and must be practised in order to fulfil the tasks demanded by current operations.

COMPLAIN ABOUT LOW FLYING

If you wish to make a complaint about activity within the RAF Brize Norton Control Zone (pictured above) please use the following details below to register a complaint, please be aware that flying complaints are responded to within 20 working days.

Phone us: on 01993 896500

Email us at: [email protected]

Write to us: Low Flying Complaints, Operations Wing, RAF Brize Norton, Carterton, OX18 3LX

To make a complaint, send the following information:

your name
full address and postcode
telephone number
date and time of the problem
location of the problem
type of aircraft, if known
a brief description of your complaint

If you wish to make a complaint about activity outside of the RAF Brize Norton Control Zone, contact the Ministry of Defence Low Flying Complaints and Enquiries team:

Email: [email protected]

Phone: 01780 417558

It is available from Monday to Friday, 8am to 4pm. Outside these hours an answerphone service is provided.

For further information about Low Flying please visit - https://www.gov.uk/low-flying-in-your-area

Drone flying

RAF Brize Norton is surrounded by a Flight Restriction Zone (FRZ), within this area it is illegal to fly any Uncrewed Aerial System (UAS) without permission from Air Traffic Control or Station Operations. The FRZ is designed to protect the operational output of the Station, by ensuring the safety of our aircraft is not compromised by unregulated UAS activity. For more information on UAS please follow the link below to the National Air Traffic Services (NATS) page, where you can find an interactive map of all UK FRZ. NATS UK | UAS Restriction Zones (ead-it.com)

For any enquiries regarding flying drones in Oxfordshire please contact RAF Brize Norton Air Traffic Control on 01993 897785.

Operators flying drones near any military airfield must ensure they are aware of the UK policy for their safe operation. The Drone Code forms part of the Civil Aviation Authority's advice and guidance to drone operators, which can be found on their website.

Night flying

RAF Brize Norton operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, in support of UK foreign policy and NATO commitments worldwide.

In order to meet our obligation, we have a wide-ranging infrastructure, which ensures our aircrew are trained to the highest standards. Inevitably, the maintenance of such high standards requires that we fly our aircraft in the local area, and further afield, in daylight hours, and at night.

Nevertheless, we strive to ensure that noise is kept to a minimum, especially in the quiet hours.

Viewing area

There are no official viewing areas in the vicinity of RAF Brize Norton.

Scheduled Local Training Sorties

The Scheduled Local Training Sorties documents (PDFs), for RAF Brize Norton, JADTEU, Little Rissington, Abingdon, Weston on the Green, Farmoor and South Cerney are updated regularly and made available for your convenience.

Please note RAF Brize Norton is an operational airfield. While we are committed to minimising disturbance and informing the local community, there are times when, due to operational, security or engineering reasons, we are unable to give prior notice of airfield activity outside of normal working hours, however, we strive to keep this to a minimum.

Defence Aerodrome Manual

The Defence Aerodrome Manual (DAM) contains accurate aerodrome data for RAF Brize Norton. All airfield users, both military and civilian, are to ensure they are familiar with the relevant sections of the DAM prior to operating at RAF Brize Norton. For further information regarding the DAM and its contents, please contact Station Operations at [email protected]

AUTHORISATION PERMIT FOR THE USE OF CRANES AND OTHER TALL EQUIPMENT WITHIN 6KM OF RAF BRIZE NORTON

The appointed person should consult the aerodrome/airfield manager for permission to work if a crane is to be used within 6 km of the aerodrome/airfield and its height exceeds 10m or that of surrounding structures or trees, if higher. (BS7121, Part 1). Requests to erect a crane or tall equipment within 6km or RAF Brize Norton requires an assessment to be made on any potential impact to equipment or flying procedures. Included within the Defence Aerodrome Manual (DAM) Annex I is a form which should be sent to [email protected] 6 weeks in advance of the planned activity. Further details on the process are included within the DAM.

DAM - DRIVING ON THE AIRFIELD

All personnel requiring to drive or cycle on the airfield must complete training and gain an Airfield Access Permit, which is checked at the airfield entry points. For the initial issue of this permit, proof of colour perception from an optician must be provided. Training is delivered in the SBF, unless otherwise signposted, as follows:

Tier 1 (MT Route) & Tier 2 (all areas) each Mon and Wed at 0930
Tier 3 (Base Hangar to JADTEU HQ) on a Wed at 1030

All driving, cycling or walking on the airfield must be completed in accordance with the 'Orders for Airfield Access'. For information regarding these orders, and for any other related questions, please contact Air Traffic Control on 01993 897785.

RAF Brize Norton Control Zone

For information regarding the RAF Brize Norton Control Zone, please contact Air Traffic Control on 01993 897785.

Information for Visiting Aircraft

Visitor Operations

Tel: : +44 (0)1993 89 5315

Email: [email protected]

Visitor Operations Normal Working Hours: Monday to Friday 8am to 5pm

Airfield Operating Hours: 24/7, 365.

Please Note:

PPR requests are to be made a minimum of 48 hours in advance (passenger and cargo flights must PPR 72hours in advance).

Airspace Change Proposal

UPDATE 11 FEBRUARY 2021

The CAA has today (11 February 2021) have concluded their decision on the RAF Brize Norton Airspace Change Proposal (ACP).

More information regarding the CAA’s decision can be viewed here: https://www.caa.co.uk/Commercial-industry/Airspace/Airspace-change/Decisions/RAF-Brize-Norton-ACP/

The primary Decision PDF can be viewed here: https://publicapps.caa.co.uk/docs/33/BRIZE%20NORTON%20CLASS%20D%20CTR%20CTA%20(CAP%202089).pdf

We will take time to fully analyse the CAA’s decision and we respect the CAA’s independence in their decision.

Brize Development Team

Formally known as Programme Future Airport (PFA), in May 2023 we had a refresh to our Mandate and a name change; we are now operating as Brize Development Team (BDT). Our mandate is to deliver a programme of key transformation projects to improve capability at RAF Brize Norton, in order to meet the strategic intent of UK Defence and the vision of a 21st Century airport employing modern infrastructure, technology and systems.

BDT has three Projects within its remit:

Passenger and Baggage Handling (PBH)
Develop and deliver improved handling and processing capability within the Air Terminal at RAF Brize Norton. This will enhance our ability to deploy and sustain personnel in a more effective manner.
Freight Handling Facility (FHF)
Design, develop and deliver a new Freight Handling Facility at RAF Brize Norton. This will ensure that we are able to meet the demands on Defence of a Strategic Base Outload by Air.
Airfield Operating Surface (AOS)
Provide an interface between RAF Brize Norton and DIO, with respect to the Runway, Taxiways, Hardstanding and associated AGL refurbishment, and its accompanying Project MACE (dispersed Operations) requirement.

In addition to Project Delivery, BDT also acts as liaison for Project HERA and works to ensure coherence between BDT Projects and other ongoing Brize Estate Development.

For further information about BDT including Project Managers’ details, navigate to the BDT HomePage via RAF Brize Norton’s SharePoint Page by using the link under the ‘Supported Units’ drop-down list. Should you wish for further detail or to discuss more specifically, please contact us via our group email: [email protected]

RAF Brize Norton