You'll need a permit to use a crane within 6km of the airport
Cranes can cause a serious hazard to flight safety, by impacting on Instrument Flight Procedures (IFPs), causing a physical obstacle and/or affecting navigational aids such as radar.
To reduce flight safety risks anyone operating a crane or tall construction equipment within 6km of the airport is required to apply for a permit; unless the crane/construction equipment is under 10m high or is shielded on all sides by trees or structures that are taller.
Read more about the safe use of cranes near an aerodrome:
1. Complete your application on our web based system Permit to Work (P2W) system.
- New to Permit to Work? Find out how to register
- Already Registered? Login and start your application
2. Our team will perform a safety assessment which will determine if any restrictions will apply: e.g. to working hours, height limitations or obstacle lighting.
3. Once we can confirm there are no concerns to flight safety, we will issue your crane permit. Any restrictions will be stated on the permit
A copy of your permit must remain with the crane for the duration of the operation and must be produced if requested by airport staff or the police.
Under the Air Navigation Order it is an offence to act recklessly or negligently in a manner likely to endanger aircraft.
This includes operating a crane or large construction equipment within 6km of an aerodrome without a permit.
For queries about the crane permit process:
cranes@gatwickairport.com
To apply for a crane permit under the Permit to Work (P2W) system you will need to supply the following information:
- The exact location of the crane/equipment, as an OS Grid reference (to at least 6 figures for each of eastings and northings), and marked on a map preferably also showing the OS Grid;
- The maximum operating height of the crane, jib, etc. in metres Above Mean Sea Level (AMSL).
Note: this is the AMSL + working height of the crane Above Ground Level (AGL)
- The maximum operating height of the crane, jib, etc. in metres AGL.
Note: this is the maximum height required for the intended operation NOT the maximum height the crane can operate up to
- The type of crane/equipment (e.g. Tower Crane, Mobile Crane, etc.)
- The radius of the jib/boom etc. of a fixed crane
- The area of operation of a mobile crane
- The intended dates and times of operation
- Name and contact details of the applicant
- Method statements, risk assessments and lifting plans, for on airport operations
[Start your application]
From the 1 March 2022 charges apply to all crane permit applications
Standard crane/Tall equipment without technical assessment
- Level 1 standard permit without technical assessment - £250 + VAT
- Extension request - £65
- Level 1 permit operating plan without technical assessment - £1000 (valid up to a maximum 12-month period)
Crane/Tall equipment with technical assessment
- Level 2 permit requiring further initial IFP assessment for a basic lifting operation - £1000 + VAT
- Level 3 permit requiring further initial IFP assessment for a more complicated lifting operation - £1000 daily rate (approx. 2 day assessment)
- Level 4 permit requiring further IFP CRM assessment - £3000 = VAT
For more complicated assessments prices will need to be discussed and agreed prior to work taking place.
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