Help Keep Our Skies Safe

The airspace around Gloucestershire Airport needs to be safeguarded during our opening hours, to allow the safe passage of air traffic - you can help ensure this happens.

If you intend to release large quantities of balloons, any number of sky lanterns, racing pigeons, operate a laser, let off fireworks, send up a tethered balloon or operate a crane you could be potentially endangering aircraft in the vicinity - The Air Navigation Order (ANO) makes it an offence to act “recklessly or negligently in a manner likely to endanger aircraft.” Therefore, sometimes, it will be necessary for you to advise the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), or Gloucestershire Airport, of your intention to do so, as far in advance as practicable, depending on the nature and size of your event.

The CAA affords comprehensive guidance on balloon releases, use of sky lanterns, operation of lasers and firework displays in Civil Aviation Publication (CAP) 736 If you need to notify them of such events, which may include a radius of 11.5 miles (18.5km) of the aerodrome, please complete this form and send it to Airspace Utilisation, Directorate of Airspace Policy, K6 G2, CAA House, Kingsway, London, WC2B 6TE, or send it electronically using the ‘Submit Form’ button in the footer. This department can also be contacted via telephone: 0207 453 6599, fax: 0207 453 6593, or by email: ausops@caa.co.uk. Alternatively, send a copy of your form to ‘Safeguarding’, Gloucestershire Airport Ltd, Staverton, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire. GL51 6SR, or email it to safeguarding@gloucestershireairport.co.uk.

Releases of racing pigeons, which may include a radius of 11.5 miles (18.5km) of the aerodrome, should be reported to Airspace Utilisation, Directorate of Airspace Policy, K6 G2, CAA House, Kingsway, London, WC2B 6TE, who can be contacted via telephone: 0207 453 6599, fax: 0207 453 6593, or by email: ausops@caa.co.uk. Alternatively, post details to ‘Safeguarding’, Gloucestershire Airport Ltd, Staverton, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire. GL51 6SR, or email them to safeguarding@gloucestershireairport.co.uk.

Captive Unmanned Gas Balloons (tethered balloons) should be reported in much the same way to Airspace Utilisation, when flown at 60 metres (197ft) or more and within a 2.3 mile (3.7km) radius of the aerodrome. However, this form should be used to advise them, either by post, or by sending it electronically using the ‘Submit Form’ button in the footer. Alternatively, send a copy of your form to ‘Safeguarding’, Gloucestershire Airport Ltd, Staverton, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire. GL51 6SR, or email it to safeguarding@gloucestershireairport.co.uk.

If you need to operate a crane at a height of 10 metres (approx 32.8ft) or more, within a 3.7 mile (6km) radius of the aerodrome, you should advise Gloucestershire Airport of the following:

The exact location of the crane (including address and postcode) and/or an OS grid reference;
The maximum operating height in metres Above Ordnance Datum (AOD), or the height of the crane Above Ground Level (AGL) plus ground level in AOD. Note: heights Above Ordnance Datum (AOD) are those shown on Ordnance Survey maps as Above Mean Sea Level (AMSL);
The type of crane/equipment (e.g. Tower Crane, Mobile Crane etc);
The radius/height that the jib/boom will extend to and the area of operation of a mobile crane;
The intended dates and times of operation; and
Your name and contact details/contact details for the operator on site during lifting.

Please email the above information to safeguarding@gloucestershireairport.co.uk.

Your co-operation is greatly appreciated.