This report examines how the planned ELWIND offshore wind farm may affect aviation. It covers:
· The airspace structure along the western coast of Saaremaa, including aviation procedures and local flight activity
· An overview of Kuressaare Airport’s procedures and safety buffer zones
· An assessment of the wind farm’s impacts on airspace structure, flight operations, Kuressaare Airport procedures, and safety areas
Overall, the planned offshore wind farm is expected to have a moderate impact on aviation in the region, and most effects can be mitigated through appropriate measures.
Key Impacts
· Minimum altitudes: Minor impact that disappears once updated aeronautical information becomes effective.
· Restricted, danger, and prohibited areas: No impact.
· Obstacle limitation surfaces (Kuressaare Airport): No impact, as the wind farm is not located near the airport.
· Approach procedures: Significant impact due to an increase in the minimum sector altitude.
· Mitigation: Avoid building turbines in the critical sector or modify approach procedures. With mitigation, the impact is eliminated.
· Instrument flight operations: Moderate impact due to higher minimum sector altitude and procedural changes. After new procedures take effect, the impact disappears.
· Search and Rescue (SAR) and medical evacuation (MEDEVAC) flights: Very significant impact, but fully mitigable with appropriate measures.
· Visual flight operations: Impact ranges from moderate to significant. Mitigation reduces the impact but cannot remove it entirely due to the variable nature of VFR operations.
· Unmanned aircraft systems: No assessment possible at this stage.
· Communication, navigation, and surveillance systems: Minor impact.
· Wake turbulence from turbines: Moderate impact on flight operations.