In function of some request via E-mail by some AIRSPACE USERS on my vieuw about the abolischen of ICAO CLASS "A" and "B" AIRSPACE must I clarify some information.
In 1992 there was a very important SYMPOSIUM organised by DG-7 of the EC in BRUSSELS.
RON CAMPBELL ( IAOPA-AOPA-UK)made a very intresting input about SAFETY and AIRSPACE ACCES for VFR operators.
In follow-up of this STEVE BROWN (IAOPA-AOPA-USA)made some very intresting inputs during our regular visits to HQ EUROCONTROL and the EC INSTITUTIONS in particular to KAREL VAN MIERT.
In the follow up DIETER PADE IAOPA-AOPA-GERMANY made some intresting input during the HQ EUROCONTROL ANT chaired by LEX HENDRICKX
In follow up of this EUROCONTROL instored BILL ARMIT as project officer of the XXX(??? to be verified) and a number of experts from AIRSPACE USERS, ATSP and CAA developed a follow up on first collecting the information on the aplication of the ICAO-CLASS AIRSPACE in EUROPE.
Out of this it confirmed thad not the AIRSPACE USERS and the ATCO had a clear vieuw of the aplicationd and procedures for the VFR operations and also somme vital misconception about the IFR operations.
Out of this the group proposed a more homogene selection of the ICAO classification
The final solution came up with a solution of using three(3) AIRSPACE CLASSES however at the higher level in the administration some CAA introduced the target to only have two(2) AIRSPACE CLASSES beeing MANAGED and NON-MANAGED airspace
Under the inpuls from the AIRSPACE USERS and with support of some EXPERTS of the EU ( DG-TREN and other) the target is to use THREE(3) ICAO AIRSPACE CLASSES
Now in function of the involvement of EASA and the projects SES and CESAR the work is on a low profile but many EU-MEMBERS have changes their "A" and "B" AIRSPACE CLASS toward the "A" CLASS.
This means thad a lot of adional AIRSPACE is now open to VFR traffic with using ATC-PLN,R/T;SSR-mode-C,and a ATC CLEARANCE
The selection of the other AIRSPACE is the ICAO-CLASS "G" and a other Class ICAO is not finalised yeth also mainly due to the confusing input made by the AIRSPACE USERS ORGANISATIONS who are to closse involved with there in the past used NATONAL APLICATIONS and not evaluating the possitive effect of the simplification
Of cours I understand the confusuion due to the major differences in operations, culture,languages, and training on the various different AIRSPACE USERS.
I hope this clarification give you some answers if not any aditionam questions are still welcom
SYLVAIN_D_W@YAHOO.FR
SINTERKLAAS