The former Soviet Union was known for many things but in aviation circles it became notorious for two things: their insistence on using metres standard instead of flight levels and the radio failure procedures applicable to aircraft heading into Soviet airspace. While the ICAO rules said that an aircraft unable to communicate should proceed to its destination, flying in accordance with its flight plan, the Soviets solved the problem with elegant simplicity. They insisted that such aircraft turn back before crossing the Soviet border and go anywhere but into Soviet airspace.
When the Soviet Union disappeared, Russia and the other states that replaced it did a lot to align their procedures with the rest of the world and this was a change for the better, no doubt about it.
Now Russia has taken one more important step towards alignment, introducing new rules for operations in their lower airspace.
The new rules came into effect on 1 October 2010 and affect mainly business and general aviation aircraft. Analysts say the new rules represent a “historic relaxation” of Russia’s airspace regulation.
For one, you can now notify your flight intentions by submitting them on the web site of the Federal Air Transport Agency and, guess what, fly an hour later! Previously the pre-notification period was 24 hours!
Under the new rules Class G airspace will be open for the use of light airplanes and helicopters. Particularly welcome will be the Agency’s stated intention to reduce the number of prohibited airspaces in the country although Moscow will remain one of them.
Unruly flyers will have to face tougher measures as Russia tries to put order back into its skies following a series of incidents caused by aerial cowboys.