Lower Airspace Radar Service

Lower Airspace Radar Service (LARS) frequencies

LARS provides two radar services for traffic outside controlled airspace and within the limits of radar/radio cover:

  • Traffic Service
  • Deconfliction Service

Within approximately 30NM of the participating Air Traffic Service Unit.

Up to FL100.

During the hours published in the UK AIP ENR1.6 (4.1.6)

UK AIP ENR 1.6, section 4 details LARS procedures.

Basic Service

A Basic Service is an Air Traffic Service (ATS) provided for the purpose of giving advice and information useful for the safe and efficient conduct of flights. Whilst it may be offered by LARS units, it is not a radar service and therefore is not a LARS.

The provision of a Basic Service may include weather information, changes of serviceability of facilities, conditions at aerodromes, general airspace activity information, and any other information likely to affect safety. The avoidance of other traffic is solely the pilot’s responsibility.

A Basic Service relies on the pilot avoiding other traffic, unaided by controllers/FISOs. It is essential that a pilot receiving this ATS remains alert to the fact that, unlike a Traffic Service and a Deconfliction Service, the provider of a Basic Service is not required to monitor the flight.

Calling for a service

Select the frequency, listen-out for a few seconds to check how busy it is, then call up: “(Station) Radar, G-ABCD request (Basic/Traffic/Deconfliction) Service”

When the Controller asks, provide your flight details clearly and concisely:

  • Type
  • Departure Aerodrome
  • Destination Aerodrome
  • Position
  • Level/Altitude
  • Additional details/intentions as necessary (next route point, squawk code)

Read back the type of ATS being given, plus any executive instructions such as Heading, Level, Speed, Squawk, Clearance.

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