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Revised procedures at GAAP aerodromes


On 21 July 2009 CASA Director of Aviation Safety John McCormick issued legal directions to Airservices Australia (Airservices) and pilots in relation to General Aviation Aerodrome Procedures (GAAP) at Archerfield, Bankstown, Camden, Jandakot, Moorabbin and Parafield aerodromes.

Notice and draft copies of the proposed directions were originally issued on 15 July 2009, are effective from 0001 AEST on Tuesday 21 July 2009.

The directions are a result of a number of activities undertaken by CASA in the past 12 months, including surveillance activity of Air Traffic Services (ATS) at GAAP aerodromes. The directions are also consistent with the findings of a series of reports and studies into airspace management and ATS at GAAP aerodromes, including the Adelaide Airspace Review and the GAAP Utility Review ('the Ambidji Report').

Findings of Australian Transport Safety Bureau investigations into mid-air collisions (in particular at  Moorabbin and Bankstown) have also informed the action being taken.

The directions form part of CASA’s ongoing efforts to improve safety at GAAP aerodromes and complement CASA's education and awareness campaign regarding safety and procedures at GAAP aerodromes as recommended by the GAAP Training Review.

Effective from 0001 AEST 21 July 2009, the directions require:

  • An immediate limitation on the number of aeroplanes in the circuit for one runway, controlled by one Air Traffic Controller, to six. If two runways and two controllers are available then the total number of aeroplanes in the circuit is limited to 12.  An additional departure may be permitted at the discretion of the controller having given due consideration to all relevant safety factors. 
  • An immediate requirement for all aircraft to obtain an Air Traffic Control clearance to enter, cross or taxi along any runway. 
  • The provision (within 9 months) of aerodrome ATS daily for the hours of daylight without any reduction in the service currently provided during the hours of darkness.

The capping of aeroplane numbers in the circuit is likely to be a temporary restriction to address the high level of risk identified in recent reviews.  As other mitigators are identified and implemented, the necessity for this particular restriction will be reviewed.

The directions are available to download:

The directions do not interfere with Air Traffic Controllers’ ability to limit, reduce or increase the number of aircraft (including, but not limited to aeroplanes) in the circuit at any given time, when such action is necessary in the interests of safety.  This means aircraft engaged in operations involving medical emergencies (for example, the Royal Flying Doctor Service), search and rescue, fire and flood relief, tactical police operations and other similar situations will not be affected by the limit.

Furthermore, the direction requiring ATC clearance to enter, cross or taxi along any runway, applies to pilots in command of any aircraft—which includes helicopters—operating at, into or out of a GAAP aerodrome.  The direction to Airservices limiting to 6 the number of aeroplanes in the circuit for one runway at any given time does not include helicopters.

Pilots will be notified of the directions by NOTAM.  Operators at GAAP aerodromes have also been notified by post.

Aviation Safety Advisors and other CASA staff commenced briefing operators on the changes at each of the six aerodromes on 15 July 2009. CASA will work closely with Airservices as well as pilots, operators and the management of each of the six GAAP aerodromes to ensure that the changes are implemented safely and in a structured and timely manner.

For further enquiries relating to the changes please email info_oar@casa.gov.au.

You can also contact your local Aviation Safety Advisor for more information.

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