The cross over between environmental and aviation safety regulations is an ongoing challenge for aerodrome operators to manage. Particularly during the upgrading of facilities. Airports need to consider not only Part 139 requirements, but also other government regulations. Some airports need to comply with multiple state requirements.
Aerodrome operators raised 2 key areas that require continuous monitoring and consideration during development in and around aerodromes:
- obstacle limitation surfaces – tall structures that can impact flight paths such as building development, crane operations
- environment impacts – where a development might pose a risk to the environment or the development affects an area that is environmentally significant.
What can Aerodrome operators can do?
It is the aerodrome operator's responsibility to have a consultation arrangement with their local councils and state government authorities. Having strong engagement with stakeholders that will support the ability to identify and manage risks associated with aerodromes such as:
- development on and around the aerodromes
- environmental considerations
- noise
- wildlife.
Integrate with aviation safety and operational risks where appropriate to identify any compounding hazards.
National Airports Safeguarding Framework
National Airports Safeguarding Framework is a national land use planning framework that aims to improve safety outcomes. This ensures that jurisdictions recognise aviation safety requirements in land use planning decisions and adopt them in guidelines on various safety-related issues.
The National Airports Safeguarding Advisory Group (NASAG) oversees the implementation of this framework and comprises of Commonwealth, state and territory government planning and transport officials. The group consists of
- Australian Government Department of Defence
- CASA
- Airservices Australia
- Australian Local Government Association (ALGA).
Aviation White Paper
The Aviation White Paper - Towards 2050 identifies that state and territory governments have agreed on the framework. However, it is not consistently applied or well understood, which aligns with some of the issues raised.
Framework implementation review
There were 8 recommendations from a framework implamentation review completed by the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts (DITRDCA). The review aims to address some of the gaps found. This will happen through:
- adopting a standardised approach
- legislation changes
- education
- implementation requirements of the NASF principles and guidelines.
Development approvals
Agencies like DITRDCA, Airservices Australia, and CASA must review and approve developments to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements:
- Airports Act 1996 and Airports (Protection of Airspace) Regulations 1996
- Airports (Environment Protection) Regulations 1997).
This makes sure that the proposal does not compromise safe operations at the aerodrome. Aerodrome operators should notify CASA if there is an OLS infringement in the proposed plans.
For any identified obstacles built without prior notification and have no assessment, the aerodrome reporting officer should:
- advise ATC immediately (if applicable)
- consider limiting aircraft approach and take-off to the runway
- make an immediate request to issue a NOTAM
- take immediate steps to have the obstacle removed
- ascertain the height of the obstacle and consider displacing the runway approach threshold. Displacing the threshold will amend the published declared distances, you need to mark or light your new threshold location
- report the infringement to CASA in writing.
Airservices has the appropriate powers under Part 175.E of CASR to gather information about objects and structures. They use the data to support the Aeronautical Information Management (AIM) including incorporating the information in aeronautical navigation databases and charts.
The vertical obstruction data form and multiple vertical obstruction data form are available from Airservices Australia.
Australian Airports Association
Other agencies such as the Australian Airports Association seek to support industry on the key issues. One of these is making sure an appropriate regulatory environment is in place which includes
- safety
- national security
- environment
- airspace protection and planning.
Aviation Transport Security Act 2004
Aerodrome operators should consider the Aviation Transport Security Act 2004. This has an emphasis on the decisions made for work site access control planning for the access of contractors. Along with a method of working plan (MOWP), the work may also need a special event zone approved by the security regulator.
What are we doing and already delivered?
We have included in Part 139 MOS requirements for aerodrome operators that formalise and provide clarity for:
- obstacle restrictions and limitation
- aerodrome planning, design and maintenance
- aerodrome works
- method of working plans
- safety management systems
- risk management plans.
In addition to this we have issued:
- AC 139.A-04 Applying for Aerodrome Authorisations, Exemptions and Approvals, provides guidance on safety assessments, consultation and collaboration. This also includes communication of aerodromes' changes and the relevant safety information for their stakeholders.
- AC 139.E-05 Obstacles (including wind farms) outside the vicinity of a CASA certified aerodrome
- AC 139.E-01 Reporting of tall structures
- AC 139-21 - Visual segment surface: monitoring requirements and the reporting of obstacles
- AC 139.C-27 - Risk management plans for aerodromes. This provides guidance on developing a risk management plan and we encourage operators to have a RMP even if not required.
We are a member of the National Airports Safeguarding Advisory Group (NASAG) and provide advice on changes to guidelines as proposed by the group. We also adopt the recommendations from the group into our guidance materials, such as Advisory Circulars. We can also support additional assessment of the OLS through the NASAG.
Our safety management systems (SMS) for aerodromes provides guidance on the relevant SMS tools and templates. This will help you to create one, including the SMS resource kit.