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Private Pilots

Safety has always been, and continues to be, of paramount importance to all involved in aviation. The Civil Aviation Authority's recent proposed amendment to the Air Navigation Order 2005 aims to make a significant contribution towards ensuring that the number of mid-air collisions and serious near miss incidents does not increase and preferably decreases as the level of air traffic grows.

Key to achieving this is the requirement that suitable avionics specifically SSR transponders, be fitted to all classes of aircraft in UK airspace including general aviation.

The UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has required IFR flights operating as General Air Traffic (GAT) within designated UK Mode S airspace (London TMA) to be Mode S equipped from 31 March 2005, with a 2-year transition period until 31 March 2007, as per AIC 49/2005 (Yellow 171). Additionally, the CAA is currently undertaking a Regulatory Impact Assessment to mandate Mode S (Elementary) carriage outside of current designated Mode S airspace from 31 March 2008, with a proposed 2-year transition period to 31 March 2010.

Being a private pilot or owning your own light aircraft is costly and Kinetic Avionic Product's determination to provide a cost effective, high specification SSR transponder has resulted in the development of the L.A.S.T range of transponders.

Kinetic are also developing a Cockpit Display of Traffic Information (CDTI) for traffic proximity and airspace infringement alerting to be used in conjunction with the transponder range.

This equipment will provide both safety and economic benefits:

Safety Benefits

  • Increased visibilty
  • Improved effectiveness of collision avoidance systems
  • Improved safety in ATM
  • Potential to improve emergency response by ATC and provide better data for search and rescue

    • Economic Benefits

  • More efficient use of airspace and ATS provision.
  • More direct routing for all aircraft resulting in fuel efficiency savings and reduced delays
  • Potential for reduced operational delays
  • Continued or improved access to airspace
  • Potential for reduced insurance premiums



    • GA Sectors

    In addition to the Mode-S requirements for private pilots of light aircraft, the CAA's proposal also includes requirements for un-powered aircraft such as hang gliders and balloons. Kinetic Avionic's Low Power SSR transponder is portable and is small and light enough to be body-wearable by microlight, glider and balloon pilots. Size, weight and costs have been kept to a minimum without compromising on quality or performance. The L.P.S.T can be battery or aircraft powered.