During the workshop operators raised airspace issues.
What can operators do?
Organisations should ensure flight crew are familiar enough with environment. This includes:
- location of likely traffic (for example training areas)
- types of activities (for example foreign students flight training)
- timing of any traffic (for example typical training departure and arrival times).
You can record this information in company documentation and keep it up to date as required.
You should ensure procedures are appropriate for the level of risk at each uncontrolled aerodrome. These procedures may include:
- designing arrival and departure procedures to avoid known high-traffic areas, even if the routes are less efficient
- setting requirements and processes for low visibility operations, in consultation with the aerodrome and other operators
- reporting occurrences when someone does not follow procedures
- engaging with the aerodrome and other users where necessary
- ensuring flight crew are aware of risks related to their planned flight, including:
- ATC or tower closure times
- operational restrictions
- adjacent airspace concerns
- addressing long-term known issues through standard operating procedures (SOPs), where practicable
- accessing or referencing relevant CASA documents that explain correct procedures and airspace structures
- working with Airservices on any airspace or air traffic control issues that could pose a safety risk
- using the Aviation State Engagement Forum (AvSEF) to submit advisory notices or propose consultations for airspace changes.
Ensure your crew feel empowered through policy to know that they don’t always have to say yes to ATC requests.
Flight crew should only accept ATC changes if there's enough time to make them safely. This is acknowledging that efficiency is an important part of any business.
Your organisation’s culture should support crew to decline ATC unless they are sure it’s safe to do.
We have also developed further guidance material to help operators better understand and comply with the relevant regulations.
What is CASA doing or has already delivered?
To support operations in and around some busy class D airspace, we are developing a series of ‘Stay on Track’ guides for VFR pilots.
These guides provide guidance on flying into, out of and around a specific region and cover many of the major class D aerodromes. They can also help individuals in planning and conducting a flight.
View our current series on the Pilot guides.
The 'Your safety is in your hands' pilot safety campaign, supported by our Pilot safety hub, has a focus on operations at aerodromes.
There are a variety of resources to support safe operations within controlled airspace. This includes:
- videos on threat and error management considerations for pilots regarding communication in and around aerodromes
- a webinar with an Air Traffic Controller on controlled aerodromes.
We’ve worked with other safety agencies to support the Automatic Dependent Surveillance (ADS-B) Broadcast Rebate Program. It encourages VFR aircraft owners to install ADS-B equipment. This will improve safety and efficiency for Australian airspace users. The program runs through until mid-2027.
We will continue to monitor reporting from industry to help identify and address any trends related to this issue.