SPOTLIGHT - Military Air Traffic Zones

[Darren Hill]

Introduction

The military air traffic zone, or MATZ, is the area surrounding a military aerodrome. It is Class G (uncontrolled airspace) and thus does not require any clearance to enter.  It is important to distinguish the difference between a MATZ and an ATZ, as an aerodrome can have both.

 

 

MATZ vs ATZ

Most military airfields will have a MATZ as well as an ATZ, aerodrome traffic zone. The key difference between the 2 zones is the MATZ is an area, while the ATZ is classified as airspace. In the case of military airfields, the ATZ is active when the aerodrome offers an aerodrome control service (there is a controller online).

Aircraft may not enter an ATZ, during active hours or with a controller online, without permission from the relevant ATS unit. As such, a MATZ penetration clearance does not imply an aircraft can enter or transit through the ATZ of the airport. The controller may choose to add this in the clearance for further clarity.

The ATZ is cylindrical airspace, 2nm or 2.5nm from the center on the longest runway (depending on its length) and extends to 2000ft above aerodrome level. This means pilots can cross the MATZ of the aerodrome through the cylindrical area while remaining clear of the ATZ, both horizontally and vertically.

 

 

 

Figure 1: Benson aerodrome with the MATZ in blue and the ATZ in red.

 

Physical dimensions of the MATZ

The MATZ consists of a cylindrical area with 2 adjacent rectangular prisms known as ‘stubs’. The dimensions of these segments remain the same irrespective of the aerodrome’s size; however, sections can be omitted such as one of the stubs. Note, there are exceptions to this with the dimensions of the stubs at certain airfields.

The dimensions of the MATZ can be remembered using the ‘12345’ pneumonic:

• Stubs are 1000ft above aerodrome level and 2000ft in height
• The top of the MATZ across all 3 sections is 3000ft above aerodrome level
• The stubs are 4nm wide
• The radius of the cylindrical area as well as the length of the stubs is 5nm
  
  Figure 2: MATZ dimensions (CAP1535: Skyway Code)

Crossing a MATZ

To request a MATZ crossing, the pilot should call the relevant ATS unit controlling the MATZ and request a “MATZ penetration service” with their proposed routing. If there is activity, the controller may ask the pilot to change their routing. For VATSIM purposes, Swanwick Military Control (EGVV_CTR) does top-down coverage of all MATZ and London Control (LON_x_CTR) does not provide top-down coverage to any military aerodromes. There are exceptions such as Odiham where you may get a penetration from London Control doing top-down of Farnborough as Farnborough Radar handles the MATZ penetrations at Odiham. This is subject to the controller's workload.

Example of a MATZ crossing

Pilot – Blue
ATC – Orange

Benson Zone, G-PTDA, request MATZ penetration.

G-PTDA, Benson Zone, pass your message.

G-PTDA, PA28, Goodwood to Wycombe overhead Brimpton, altitude 1800ft, QNH 1021, routing direct Compton.

G-DA roger, squawk 3642, Basic Service.

Squawk 3642, Basic Service, G-DA.

G-DA, MATZ penetration approved not above height 2200ft on Benson QFE 1013, report entering the MATZ.

MATZ penetration approved not above height 2200ft, QFE 1013, wilco, G-DA.

G-DA entering the MATZ.

G-DA roger, report leaving.

Considerations

The MATZ crossing is at the discretion of the controller and depends on their workload as well as any military operations at the time. Avoiding the MATZ can be achieved by flying underneath one of the stubs, above or around the MATZ itself. Since it is Class G airspace, VFR pilots are responsible for their separation from other VFR aircraft as well as military aircraft. The ATS unit may or may not provide traffic information.

 

 

 

Aircraft operating in the RTC (radar training circuit) do not remain in the confines of the MATZ.

The basic RTC operates as follows:

1. Take off and climb to a height of between 1500 ft and 2500 ft
2. Vectoring around the pattern
3.  Alignment and descent with the final approach track and glidepath and
4. Landing or low approach and go-around.

 

 

Figure 3: Example Radar Training Circuit (CAP1535: Skyway Code)

 

 

Edited April 10, 2021 by Darren Hill