The UK Civil Aviation Authority has praised the general aviation community for coping "successfully" with operations in the southeast of the country when large airspace areas were subject to restrictions for security reasons.
The authority points out that "all airspace restrictions relating to the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games have now been lifted".
Praising the role of the general aviation community in keeping infringements of the restricted zones to a minimum during the summer, CAA chief executive Andrew Haines said: "Establishing such a large airspace security zone for that length of time was unprecedented, particularly as it covered some of the most congested airspace in the world. The fact that it was so successful is in no small part due to the role played by the GA associations and their members."
To prepare the aviation community at the time, the specially created airspace and safety initiative (ASI) involved distributing 80,000 leaflets - including French and German versions - and three podcasts. Under the ASI an all-day seminar for 800 pilots was held in central London, advice was made available at general aviation events and shows around the country, and CAA staff visited and briefed all affected aerodromes in and around the main restricted zones.
Source: Flight International
