CASA Media Release - Friday, 29 November 2002
Air safety upgrade for solar eclipse traffic
Aviation safety arrangements for the viewing of next week’s solar eclipse in outback South Australia are being upgraded.
This follows higher than expected interest in air travel to Ceduna and Leigh Creek for the 4 December total solar eclipse.
Up to 100 aircraft are expected to fly to Ceduna, with a smaller number travelling to the aerodrome at Leigh Creek.
To cope with the large volume of traffic at Ceduna on 4 and 5 December, the aviation status of the aerodrome is being upgraded.
Ceduna will become a Mandatory Broadcast Zone (MBZ) over three days – a move that will require pilots to use a higher level of operating procedures.
Aircraft flying at Ceduna while the MBZ is in place must be radio equipped and must make a range of radio calls. MBZ procedures apply to aircraft within 15 nautical miles of the aerodrome, up to 5000 ft in altitude.
Pilots then arrange their own separation from other aircraft which are taking off or landing.
CASA is asking pilots intending to fly to Ceduna for the eclipse to review MBZ procedures and read a number of special Notices to Airmen (NOTAMS). The NOTAMS relate to operational arrangements for the higher levels of traffic and parking procedures at Ceduna aerodrome.
CASA will also carry out special safety checks at Ceduna, with two inspectors present on the day of the eclipse.
The inspectors will monitor operations at the aerodrome and in the region, as well as providing assistance and advice to pilots.
Ceduna, 770 kilometres west of Adelaide, is considered the best location in Australia to view the total eclipse of the Sun.
The eclipse path begins over the Atlantic Ocean, west of Africa. It crosses Angola, Mozambique and the Indian Ocean, before making its Australian landfall at Ceduna late in the afternoon. The path of the eclipse then heads north-east across the South Australian outback before leaving the Earth's surface east of Lake Blanche.
Media contact
Peter Gibson
mobile 0419 296 446
Ref: MR0264