CASA to introduce major safety initiative
The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) is introducing a major safety initiative to airspace between Canberra and Ballina in northern NSW.
On 8 October, a radar information service will replace the existing radio system, which dates back more than 40 years to the days of the DC-3.
Introduction of the service has been the subject of lengthy discussions between CASA, the airlines, and the aviation industry. A meeting last Thursday of an airspace user group overwhelmingly endorsed the new service, subject to some minor improvements and simplification.
The Regional Airlines Association of Australia and the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association of Australia also support this initiative by CASA.
The new service is part of the Airspace 2000 Program - an initiative of the CASA Board, headed by Dick Smith, which aims to revitalise the management of Australian airspace and make Australia a world leader in aviation safety.
Mr Smith today assured fare-paying passengers that advances in technology, such as enhanced radar services, would be provided in Australian airspace.
"The safety of passengers is CASA's core responsibility and we will continue to work with airlines and the aviation community in this aim," he said.
CASA's Chief Executive, Mick Toller, said regional Australia was being increasingly served by modern high speed aircraft.
"The terminal airspace at certain regional aerodromes will now be enlarged and extended upwards to meet the radar information service. These aerodromes are Orange, Bathurst, Taree, Armidale, Inverell, Glen Innes, Grafton and Wollongong.
"We have to ensure that safety regulations match the current developments, and we must make available the benefits of radar to passenger-carrying aircraft. The more accurate the information, the safer the air traffic system."
Mr Toller, who was an international airline pilot for 32 years, said he was enthusiastic about the introduction of the radar information service. "The workload on the pilots will decrease and that has to be better for safety."
MEDIA ENQUIRIES
Don Hook
Acting Manager Public Relations
Phone (02) 6217 1015 or Mobile 041 929 6446
21 September 1998
Ref: ME9825PR