The Perth Airport Airspace

The history and location

Perth Airport (EGPT) has been an active aerodrome and site for flight training in one form or another since it first opened in 1936. During its history students of more than 100 countries have been trained at the aerodrome and today the site provides private and commercial fixed and rotary wing flight training, microlight and autogyro training. The site is also home to an aircraft maintenance company and has numerous other non-aviation related businesses.

Perth Airport is considered to be Scotland's main airport for general aviation and is located at New Scone, 3 NM (5.6 km; 3.5 mi) northeast of Perth, Scotland.

The aerodrome currently boasts 6 runways and thus is able to maintain flight operations in a variety of wind conditions.

 

 

Also situated on the aerodrome is the Perth VOR (PTH) which is another convenience that is utilised for flight training.

The airspace and terrain surrounding Perth is varied and offers a number of the distinct challenges that can be presented to the student pilot, whilst at the same time providing extensive “uncontrolled” airspace which can be a huge benefit when making efficient use of precious flight time.

 

Weather

It cannot be denied that Scotland is famous not just for its scenery but also for its weather. Situated as it is towards the east coast of Scotland, Perth is effectively sheltered by the higher terrain in the West and therefore tends to be drier. It also enjoys extremely good visibility due to the low density of urban areas and industry.

Although it cannot be said that Perth benefits from the regularity of climate experienced at the "sunshine" training sites that are widely advertised, it offers a training environment that will develop the decision making skills and airmanship of the student pilot as they learn to deal with real world weather.

It is skills such as this that mark out the competence and professionalism of the newly graduated professional pilot.

Airspace

A glance at a VFR Aviation Chart of the Perth area will reveal:

To the East: The Control Zone for Dundee Airport with its ILS Approach conveniently sited for IR Training Flights. Immediately beyond Dundee is the RAF Leuchars Military Air Traffic Zone (MATZ) and also both a danger and a restricted area to keep the student on their toes.

To the South: Flying to the south, students will encounter the Scottish TMA and the Control Areas for Edinburgh and Glasgow airports. It is airspace such at this that will require the student to develop and hone skills of situational awareness and also workload management, negotiating with Air Traffic Control to transit a busy commercial operations environment.

The West & North Perth is often referred to as the gateway to the Highlands and students flying out to the West and the North will be able to see why. The low ground immediately adjacent to the airport that is used as the ‘Local Training Area’ soon gives way to rising terrain and both the spectacle and the challenge of Mountain Flying.

From the Mountains to the Coast, from uncontrolled airspace ideal for your early training sorties to the demands of busy commercial airspace all types of flying environment can be found at, or adjacent to Perth Airport, and is utilised to help develop a pilot with the skills required and expected of a professional pilot.