Filton Airport Consultative Group Committee (FACG)
The Filton Airport Consultative Group was set up in 1996 following the Filton Airfield Public Enquiry and meet three times a year. Meetings are hosted by BAE Systems in the Flight Operations building at Filton. The Airfield Manager chairs alternate meetings, with a 'revolving chairperson' selected from the Group chairing the other. National guidelines apply for Airport Consultative Committees and the FACG followed these guidelines to produce its own constitution and terms of reference.
For South Gloucestershire the FACG is made up of 7 councillors from nearby parishes - Winterbourne, Bradley Stoke, Filton Town Council, Patchway, Westerleigh, Frampton Cotterell and Almondsbury, one officer from the Environmental Protection Specialist Team and 3 elected members, 1 from each political group. Bristol City Council is represented by an officer from their Health and Environment Services Department and councillors from the Henbury and Southmead Wards. Other members of the group are from BAE Systems, Airbus UK and Rolls Royce.
The business of the meeting looks at all aspects of the airfield activities and include flight movements, complaints and operational issues. Both councils' officers closely liaise with residents and the Airfield Manager between meetings.
Filton operates under an ordinary licence issued by the CAA and can operate 24 hours per day if required. However Filton chooses not to open 24/7 but operates the following hours:
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Monday to Friday 06:30 - 20:30
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Saturday/Sunday 09:00 - 17:00
On occasions the airport will operate outside of these hours to ensure aircraft achieve planned schedules after maintenance.
Since the formation of the Airport Consultative Group the airport has agreed to introduce the following procedures to reduce the effect of aircraft flying in and around the area:
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Circuit height has been raised from 1,000 to 1,500ft for all aircraft in the visual circuit. Of course this does mean that aircraft will be either losing or gaining height when landing or taking off from the airfield so aircraft operating to the east or west of the runway are likely to be lower. For example an aircraft landing from the east would be at approximately 900ft over the Winterbourne area, 600ft around Stoke Gifford and 300ft above Patchway rail junction (Rolls Royce East Works).
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Introduced a change in circuits for visual training aircraft. Filton now operates a week to the north of the runway and a week to the south of the runway. This alternates throughout the year to ensure that residents in these areas do have some time when they are not affected by aircraft in the area. However residents under the approach and departure areas of the runway will still be affected regardless of circuit direction. Please note that to ensure safe separation of aircraft, Air Traffic Control will instruct training aircraft to fly the opposite circuit so occasionally aircraft will be seen but this should only be for a short time. Also arriving and departing aircraft will be directed north or south as required depending on their departure airport or destination.
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Reduced the weekend operating hours from 14 to 8 hours on each Saturday and Sunday, 09:00 to 17:00. Also it has been agreed to close the airport to all circuit traffic on UK Bank Holidays.
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Introduced measures through Air Traffic Control for only 2 aircraft in the visual circuit at any one time. This not only reduces the amount of aircraft arriving and departing in an hour but helps to maintain a safe distance between aircraft operating in the Filton Air Traffic Zone.
Engine Runs - On completion of maintenance, aircraft usually require to test the engines at maximum power. For large aircraft like the Boeing 747 the airport arranges for the checks to be carried out in the centre of the runway to ensure a good distance between the aircraft and residential areas. Smaller aircraft are tested on the engine running base at the western end of the runway. Most engine runs will be arranged during normal working hours but occasionally these tests will need to be completed outside of these hours depending on traffic levels at the airport or to meet planned aircraft schedules after maintenance.
The Group will continue to look at any further measures that may reduce the effect of aircraft operating in the area and any proposals will be discussed and agreed through the Airport Consultative Group meetings.
If you have any concerns of aircraft operations at Filton or wish to express any other views then please click on the button below. If you prefer you can telephone on 0117 9366253 (answerphone outside normal working hours) and we shall endeavour to respond as soon as possible.
MINUTES OF MEETINGS
4 November 2009 1 July 2009 25 March 2009
19 November 2008 Reply to Dr Doug Naysmith 23 Sep 2008
7 November 2007 11 July 2007 14 March 2007
25 October 2006 26 July 2006 26 April 2006
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Please Note: Military Aircraft Complaints Tel.No. - 01491 827272