{"id":176244,"date":"2025-12-18T20:24:51","date_gmt":"2025-12-18T19:24:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/easyvfr4.aero\/?p=176244"},"modified":"2026-11-13T18:55:29","modified_gmt":"2026-11-13T17:55:29","slug":"the-airspace-that-doesnt-exist-on-your-chart","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/easyvfr4.aero\/nl\/the-airspace-that-doesnt-exist-on-your-chart\/","title":{"rendered":"The airspace that doesn&#8217;t exist on your chart"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Why is 54% of restricted airspace invisible to most pilots?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:50px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-8f761849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:50%\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Hello fellow aviator,<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A Boeing 737 had just departed Palma de Mallorca when the crew spotted a light aircraft heading straight at them. High speed. Collision course.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The 737 took evasive action. The light aircraft did nothing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Final separation:&nbsp;<strong>116 feet vertically. 1,200 meters laterally.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The investigation found the VFR pilot was flying in controlled airspace without clearance &mdash; and wasn't even monitoring the frequency. (<a href=\"https:\/\/skybrary.aero\/accidents-and-incidents\/b738-sf50-vicinity-palma-spain-2022\">SKYbrary.aero<\/a>)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This isn't rare.&nbsp;<strong>32,800 airspace infringements<\/strong>&nbsp;were reported across Europe between 2010 and 2021. In the Netherlands alone, infringements caused&nbsp;<strong>13 loss-of-separation incidents<\/strong>&nbsp;in a single year &mdash; four of them with less than half the minimum required separation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The question is: why does this keep happening?<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:50%\">\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>On this page<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n<div role=\"navigation\" aria-label=\"Inhoudsopgave\" class=\"simpletoc wp-block-simpletoc-toc\"><ul class=\"simpletoc-list\">\n<li><a href=\"#the-invisible-airspace-problem\">The invisible airspace problem<\/a>\n<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#the-numbers\">The numbers<\/a>\n<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#dynamic-airspace-mapping\">Dynamic Airspace Mapping<\/a>\n<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#why-now\">Why now?<\/a>\n<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#have-you-had-a-close-call\">Have you had a close call?<\/a>\n<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#more-from-our-blog\">More from our blog<\/a>\n<\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"719\" height=\"519\" src=\"https:\/\/easyvfr4.aero\/wp-content\/uploads\/B738SF50-vic-Palma-2022-ground-tracks.jpg\" alt=\"Ground tracks of the Boeing 737 and the light aircraft near Palma de Mallorca, 2022\" class=\"wp-image-91353\" srcset=\"https:\/\/easyvfr4.aero\/wp-content\/uploads\/B738SF50-vic-Palma-2022-ground-tracks.jpg 719w, https:\/\/easyvfr4.aero\/wp-content\/uploads\/B738SF50-vic-Palma-2022-ground-tracks-480x346.jpg 480w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 0px) and (max-width: 480px) 480px, (min-width: 481px) 719px, 100vw\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:60px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"the-invisible-airspace-problem\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">The invisible airspace problem<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Here's something most pilots don't realize:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">54% of NOTAM-defined airspaces don't appear on any chart.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">They're published as coordinates only:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p><span style=\"color: #236fa1\">\"TEMPORARY RESTRICTED AREA N47&deg;23'15\" E025&deg;42'30\" RADIUS 5NM SFC-FL095\"<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Where is that? Could you plot it while briefing your flight? Would you even notice it buried in NOTAM text?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">These are temporary restrictions and activity areas that exist&nbsp;<em>only<\/em>&nbsp;in the NOTAM system &mdash; not in your AIRAC data. In 2025, we counted already more than <strong>52,000<\/strong><strong>&nbsp;of them<\/strong>&nbsp;across Europe. That's over 220 invisible airspaces created every day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Your 28-day AIRAC chart knows nothing about them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"the-numbers\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">The numbers<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We track this. Here's what 2025 looked like:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>149,923<\/strong> airspace activations via NOTAM<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>1,861<\/strong> changes via AIP Supplements<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>416<\/strong> airspace events per day on average<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>51% more<\/strong> AIP Supplement restrictions than early 2025<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Military activity is up. Temporary restrictions are multiplying. A recent safety bulletin from a Dutch flight school listed the top cause of airspace infringements:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p><em><span style=\"color: #92400e\">\"Failing to thoroughly study NOTAMs, AIP SUPs, and current charts.\"<\/span><\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"dynamic-airspace-mapping\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Dynamic Airspace Mapping<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This is what EasyVFR does differently.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Instead of static 28-day AIRAC data, EasyVFR combines&nbsp;<strong>five live data sources<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>AIRAC cycle data <\/strong>&mdash; the baseline<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>AIP Supplements <\/strong>&mdash; changes between cycles<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Amendments <\/strong>&mdash; corrections and updates<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>NOTAMs <\/strong>&mdash; temporary restrictions and activations<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>AUP\/UUP<\/strong> &mdash; military activation schedules<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">All processed and displayed on your map &mdash; so you see what's actually active&nbsp;<em>today<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We call this&nbsp;<strong>Dynamic Airspace Mapping<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/support.easyvfr4.aero\/help\/dynamic-airspace-mapping-explained\">Learn more: Dynamic Airspace Mapping Explained &rarr;<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"why-now\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Why now?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Flying season starts in a few months. The time to check your tools is now &mdash; not when you're planning your first spring flight and discover your data is four weeks old.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you're already using EasyVFR: open the Status card, enable Automatic Updates, and tap <a href=\"https:\/\/easyvfr4.aero\/nl\/easyvfr-4-6-7-dont-fly-yesterdays-data\/\">AIP Supplements<\/a> to pull the latest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you're not &mdash; consider whether 28-day-old data is a risk worth taking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"have-you-had-a-close-call\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Have you had a close call?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Ever been surprised by airspace that wasn't on your chart? Tell us at <a href=\"mailto:team@easyvfr4.aero\">team@easyvfr4.aero<\/a> &mdash; your experience might help another pilot.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Fly safe, fly current,<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The EasyVFR Team<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:40px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"more-from-our-blog\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">More from our blog<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/easyvfr4.aero\/nl\/notams-can-you-visualize-these-coordinates\/\">NOTAMs: can you visualize N47\u00b023'15\" E025\u00b042'30\"?<\/a><br>Why NOTAM coordinates are hard to brief, and what they look like on the map.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/easyvfr4.aero\/nl\/your-airspace-data-was-outdated-3-days-after-you-updated-it\/\">Your airspace data was outdated 3 days after you updated it<\/a><br>How our AeroData team tracks AIP Supplements across Europe.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/easyvfr4.aero\/nl\/easyvfr-4-6-7-dont-fly-yesterdays-data\/\">EasyVFR 4.6.7: Don't fly yesterday's data<\/a><br>AIP Supplement airspaces as their own download, between AIRAC cycles.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/easyvfr4.aero\/nl\/easyvfr-4-9-12-aip-supplements\/\">Now in EasyVFR: open the AIP Supplement documents from the map<\/a><br>Read the official publication behind a temporary airspace.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:60px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Why is 54% of restricted airspace invisible to most pilots?<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":91353,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[297,1478],"tags":[1567,1561,1569,1280,1509],"class_list":["post-176244","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-development","category-easyvfr-app","tag-aip-supplement","tag-airspace","tag-dynam","tag-easyvfr-4","tag-notam"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/easyvfr4.aero\/nl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/176244","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/easyvfr4.aero\/nl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/easyvfr4.aero\/nl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/easyvfr4.aero\/nl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/easyvfr4.aero\/nl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=176244"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/easyvfr4.aero\/nl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/176244\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":176324,"href":"https:\/\/easyvfr4.aero\/nl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/176244\/revisions\/176324"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/easyvfr4.aero\/nl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/91353"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/easyvfr4.aero\/nl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=176244"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/easyvfr4.aero\/nl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=176244"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/easyvfr4.aero\/nl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=176244"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}