I live relatively close to one of the hubs for A400M operations (Wunstorf), but currently have no flights planned in any of the restricted areas.
I expect operations at Hannover EDDV to be affected, since Wunstorf is inside the Hannover control zone.
Do any of you live inside the northeastern area which starts at ground level? Did you have to reschedule or reroute any flights?
Well that looks inconvenient. I live in the usa, and outside of the occasional MOA going active or a TFR over one of the metro areas, i havent had to deal with much like this.
What is the protocol for general aviation in germany when this is going on? If it is affecting the airlines, i assume ga in the area is basically grounded? Or is it a transponder squawk and then buisiness as usual?
I’d say one of the reasons that these kinds of exercises (such as “Red Flag”) are less disruptive in the US is that you have vast areas, such as deserts, that are mostly unpopulated.
The protocol is that in the TFRs, (known as “ED-R” in Germany), when they are active, you cannot fly, period. Except aircraft that participate in the exercise (duh!), emergency and police aircraft and aircraft on official state business (VIP transports, etc.). All exemptions need to be approved by the controllers and/or the military commander. Such approval will generally be given very quickly for emergency flights.
In some areas, IFR flights can be approved, but not in the large regions during active exercises. Some delays of commercial flights will be unavoidable; some airports have relaxed their night-flight restrictions.
Most light GA flights are only affected by the North-East region, which starts at ground level, and only for a few hours each day, whereas the others are only from FL080 (yes, flight levels generally start at 5000 ft here) up.
I guess we’ll know more in a week, when it is done.
