Background

The permitted height of any tall equipment operating in the vicinity of Manchester Airport is governed by a series of 3-dimenstional protected surfaces around the aerodrome.

Anyone who wishes to operate cranes or other tall equipment within 6 kilometres of the Aerodrome boundary and at heights of more than 10 metres Above Ground Level (AGL) or that of surrounding trees or structures must receive prior permission and a Tall Equipment Permit from Manchester Airport. It is recommended that operations out to 15 kilometres from the aerodrome also seek permission.

Consultation with Manchester Airport

The developer or equipment operator should approach the airport at least 21 days in advance of planned start date so that the proposed operation can be assessed for any impact on the airports protected surfaces. Applications for permits can be made via the relevant application forms found at the bottom of this text.

Approval Process

Upon receipt of the above information, Manchester Airport will carry out an obstacle assessment to assess the impact on the airports protected surfaces.

Provided that the operational impact is acceptable, an approved Tall Equipment Permit will be issued to the applicant.

Approval may be granted subject operating conditions such as mandatory use of obstacle lights, crane markings, operations restricted to a certain height or operations dependant on the runway in use. In certain circumstances, where the operation of tall equipment would penetrate one or more of the airports protected surfaces, Manchester Airport may be required to seek further approval from our Instrument flight procedure designer prior to authorising the operation, as there may be implications for Instrument Flight Procedures which flight crews must be made aware of.

Should an Instrument Flight Procedure Assessment be required, Manchester Airport will make the applicant aware of this, and it should be noted that additional costs are likely to be incurred payable by the applicant – as per the Scale of Charges Document found on this page.

Failure to notify Manchester Airport at least 21 days in advance of planned start of operations may result in delayed issue of a Tall Equipment Permit.

Code of Practice

The attention of a crane or other tall equipment operator should be brought to the British Standard Institute Code of Practice for the safe use of crane, BS 7121-1:2006: paragraph 12.3.3 which states;

“If a crane is to be used within 6 km of an aerodrome/airfield and its height exceeds 10m or that of surrounding structures or trees, if higher, the appointed person should consult the aerodrome/airfield manager for prior permission to work. Restrictions could be placed on the overall height of the crane and there could be a requirement to fit a warning (obstacle) lights to the top of the crane."

NOTE: The Air Navigation Order makes it an offence to act recklessly or negligently in a manner likely to endanger aircraft.”

Endangering the Safety of an Aircraft

The use of a tall equipment in a Safeguarded zone without a permit is a serious offence. Such a breach of statutory duty even without incident, is an offence and legal action may be taken under the Air Navigation Order 2000, Article 63, which states 'A person shall not recklessly or negligently act in a manner likely to endanger an aircraft, or any person therein' (ANO, 2000).

Obstacle Lighting and Marking

If the use of an obstacle light and/or marking is listed as an operating condition on a Tall Equipment Permit, this is mandatory for the duration of the crane lift. Should a fault occur with the obstacle light, this must be remedied as soon as possible.

Amendments to previously issued Permits

If during the course of an operation, any of the details recorded on the Tall Equipment Permit change, the developer or equipment operator must inform Manchester Airport at the earliest opportunity. It may be necessary to amend the permit or issue a new one, permits generally can be amended a maximum of three times, after the third amendment a new permit may be required.

Tall Equipment Permit Forms

Below are two Tall Equipment forms named TE01 and TE02.

TE01 - Tall Equipment Permit for projects undertaken on behalf of Manchester Airports Group (MAG) and/or operations on MAG property.

Please contact: permittowork@magairports.com

TE02 – All other Tall Equipment Permit applications.

Please submit:  Manchester Airport Tall Equipment Permit Application

For guidance on correct use of the Tall Equipment Permit forms, please use the contact details below.

• Manchester Airports Group, Aerodrome Safeguarding:

Email: safeguardingman@magairports.com

Advice

Better safe than sorry! Always consult Manchester Airport if you intend to operate tall equipment in the vicinity of the aerodrome. We are happy to assist and cooperate with equipment operators to ensure work can go ahead without presenting a hazard to aircraft.

Glint and glare hazards can be caused by a variety of developments and landscape features. Glint refers to the momentary flash of bright light, while glare is a continuous source of bright light. A source of either could adversely affect the sight of pilots and air traffic control personnel, so are a potential safety concern that need to be assessed.

The MAG Aerodrome Safeguarding Team can provide comprehensive glint and glare assessments that enable developers to determine any impact towards our group airports (Manchester, London Stansted and East Midlands Airport).

Click here for further information on glint and glare hazard.

To arrange a glint and glare assessment please contact the MAG aerodrome safeguarding team by selecting the relevant airport:

Manchester Airport

Stansted Airport

East Midlands Airport

The MAG safeguarding team can give advice on all aspects of aerodrome safeguarding considerations. We do charge for pre-application advice, but early engagement with us will save time and expense. We ensure all the considerations are included in the formal application and the potential for objections or pre-commencement conditions are reduced.

To request advice please contact the MAG aerodrome safeguarding team by selecting the relevant airport:

Manchester Airport

Stansted Airport

East Midlands Airport

Tall equipment permit (e.g. cranes and all lifting equipment) - £120 + VAT (N.B. further assessments may be necessary in addition to the permit. POA)

Tall equipment operating area plan for large developments - £1000 + VAT (N.B. further assessments may be necessary in addition to the permit. POA)

Instrument flight procedure surfaces assessments – (quote provided prior to assessment work being commenced)

Special events in the vicinity of the aerodrome requiring a full aerodrome safeguarding plan - minimum £3500 + VAT (N.B. dependent upon size and location of event, POA)

Temporary frequency application - £50 + VAT

Frequency safeguarding assessment (permanent) - £120 + VAT

Pre-application advice service - £500 + VAT per hour (estimate will be provided on application)

Aeronautical studies/assessments (e.g. for wind turbines) - minimum £3000 + VAT (POA)

Renewable energy assessments/review - size dependent £500 + VAT minimum

Glint and glare assessment - size dependent, between £2500-£6000 + VAT