Following a Ministry of Defence decision on the use of its Air Weapons Ranges, more airspace will be made available for general aviation flying, the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) announced today.

From the 1 November 2011, airspace restrictions designed to protect aircraft from munitions demolition work on Air Weapons Ranges, outside of the Danger Area activity operating hours, will no longer be required by the MoD. The decision frees up airspace from surface level to 5,000feet AMSL at favourable times for general aviation flying, such as weekends.

The times when Air Weapons Ranges will remain fully live will be published in the relevant Aeronautical Information Publication. In the future any demolition activity outside of the published hours of operation will be alerted by NOTAM.

As a result of the change, the Danger Areas at Cowden (EG D306) and Wainfleet (EG D308) on the east coast have been withdrawn. Any further demolition activity on those two retired danger areas will again be notified by NOTAM.