General Aviation Procedures

Legislation and how it affects air travel

One of our responsibilities is to police the non-designated airfields within the Strathclyde Police force area and ensure compliance with all relevant legislation, in particular the Terrorism Act 2000.

The Terrorism Act 2000 came into force on 19th February 2001. It replaced all previous legislation concerning terrorism; it also legislates for air and sea journeys within the CTA (Common Travel Area), this includes Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands.

This law impacts upon general aviation and the responsibilities of pilots/owners.

What the Terrorism Act 2000 states in relation to such travel

“(1) This paragraph applies to a journey—
(a) to Great Britain from the Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland or any of the Islands,
(b) from Great Britain to any of those places,
(c) to Northern Ireland from Great Britain, the Republic of Ireland or any of the Islands, or
(d) from Northern Ireland to any of those places.

(2) Where a ship or aircraft is employed to carry passengers for reward on a journey to which this paragraph applies the owners or agents of the ship or aircraft shall not arrange for it to call at a port in Great Britain or Northern Ireland for the purpose of disembarking or embarking passengers unless—
(a) the port is a designated port, or
(b) an examining officer approves the arrangement.

(3) Where an aircraft is employed on a journey to which this paragraph applies otherwise than to carry passengers for reward, the captain of the aircraft shall not permit it to call at or leave a port in Great Britain or Northern Ireland unless—
(a) the port is a designated port, or
(b) he gives at least 12 hours' notice in writing to a constable for the police area in which the port is situated (or, where the port is in Northern Ireland, to a member of the Royal Ulster Constabulary).”

NB. The reference to the “Royal Ulster Constabulary” relates to the re-named Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI).

It is an offence under the Act to fail to comply with this regulation.

Best practice on complying with the legislation and how it impacts on you

Where an aircraft is employed to carry passengers for reward on a journey within the CTA (Common Travel Area)* and is not using a designated port** the owners or agents shall not arrange for it to call at a port within the CTA (Common Travel Area) to disembark or embark passengers unless the port is a designated port or the arrangement is approved by an examining officer from the Ports Coverage Unit who may be better placed to offer a degree of expertise and knowledge relative to such notifications.

A captain or pilot of an aircraft employed on a journey within the CTA (Common Travel Area)* otherwise than to carry passengers for reward shall not permit it to call at or leave a port unless it is a designated port** or he gives at least 12 hours notice in writing (by, preferably, email or fax) to a constable at the Ports coverage Unit who may be better placed to offer a degree of expertise and knowledge relative to such notifications.

*The CTA (Common Travel Area) includes Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands.

** Designated ports in the Strathclyde Police force area are Glasgow International Airport, Prestwick International Airport, Campbeltown and Troon harbours.

Only in exceptional circumstances can changes to this 12 hour rule be made and will require resubmission of a new GAR (General Aviation Report), in full, with updated details.

Resubmitted GARs will be subject to scrutiny.

There is NO REQUIREMENT to submit a GAR to the Ports Coverage Unit for flights to or from a designated airport, or which does not involve the Common Travel Area.

We recommend that as a matter of best practice that if you are flying to or from a non-designated airport to any destination outside of the mainland United Kingdom, you submit a GAR or a Strathclyde Police Light Aircraft Movement Report.

If you have any information or concerns regarding the above, if you need advice, further information, or have any suggestions how we can improve our service to you, then please do not hesitate to contact us on the following number:
 
Small Ports Unit: 0141 532 6078