Review of Department of Defence Managed Airspace within the vicinity of Adelaide

26 Pages·2016·2.4 MB·English

Review of Department of
Defence managed airspace
in the vicinity of Adelaide

November 2016
Office of Airspace Regulation Page 2 of 26
DOCUMENT SPONSOR: OFFICE OF AIRSPACE REGULATION

TRIM REFERENCE: D16/305622

FILE REF: FO12/235

Document control:

Version Issue/Nature of Revision Date
0.1 Initial draft August 2016
0.2 Peer review feedback August 2016
0.3 Incorporates management feedback September 2016
1.0 Incorporate Industry Feedback November 2016

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1 Executive summary
In 2008, the Office of Airspace Regulation (OAR1) commissioned Hyder Consulting (Hyder)
to conduct a review of the airspace within 50 nautical miles (nm) of Adelaide International
Airport, South Australia. The review contained a number of recommendations including
Recommendation 9 which states:
‘The OAR is to conduct a review of Adelaide airspace managed by the Department of
Defence (Defence), specifically:
a. reduce the size of the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) base Edinburgh
(Edinburgh) Control Zone (CTR) to south of the Gawler River;
b. put in place the minimum dimension and Class of airspace required for the
protection of Defence aircraft operating outside the hours of Edinburgh tower;
c. replace R259 and that portion of R265A routinely released for glider and balloon
activity with a danger area for flying training; and
d. review all Restricted Areas (RA) and Danger Areas (DA) administered by
Defence.’
The purpose of this report is to address Recommendation 9, to conduct a review of the
airspace managed by Defence within 50 nm of Adelaide International Airport, South
Australia.
1.1 Operational Context
The airspace within the review area is predominantly controlled airspace (CTA) Class C and
Class D with areas of uncontrolled airspace (Class G) below and adjacent to the CTA. The
airspace includes a number of Restricted Areas (RAs) and Danger Areas (DAs).
Airservices Australia (Airservices) provides Air Traffic Services (ATS) in the review area from
the Adelaide Terminal Control Unit (TCU), en route services from the Melbourne Air Traffic
Services Centre and control tower services from Adelaide and Parafield airport control
towers. The RAAF provides a control tower service within the Edinburgh CTR during tower
hours from their tower at Edinburgh. Outside Edinburgh tower hours, non-controlled
aerodrome procedures apply at RAAF Edinburgh.
The Defence airspace in the review area is centred on the operations from Edinburgh which
is located approximately 17 nm north east of the Adelaide International Airport (Adelaide)
and 4 nm north of Parafield Airport (Parafield).
The Defence airspace in the review area comprises
1) the Edinburgh Class C CTR; and
2) airspace volumes that are categorised as either a RA or a DA.
There are 22 RAs and DAs within the review area. Eighteen of those areas are considered to
be Defence airspace, as they either have Defence as the nominated Controlling Authority, or
the activity within is conducted by Defence.
Edinburgh is home to 92 Wing AP-3C Orion maritime patrol aircraft and also the Aircraft
Research and Development Unit Flight Test Unit. Defence are scheduled to commission the
first of the Poseidon surveillance aircraft from November 2016, which will replace the Orion
aircraft over the next 5 years. There are also plans for a number of large remotely piloted
aircraft, to enter service based at Edinburgh during the same period.
The purpose of Defence airspace is to protect non-participant operators, generally civilian
aircraft, from the military aviation activities that represent a risk or are considered
incompatible to one another.

1 A full list of acronyms and abbreviations used in this report can be found in Annex A.
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1.2 Issues
The key issues raised by airspace users during interviews and stakeholder forums have
been identified as follows:
• Unintentional traffic management procedural issues can be generated in the
airspace administered by Airservices on contract to Defence that occasionally
create delays.
• Defence are scheduled to commission a number surveillance aircraft from
November 2016 that will replace the Orion aircraft over the next 5 years. There
are also plans for a number of large remotely piloted aircraft to enter service
also based at Edinburgh during the same period. The subsequent airspace
requirements remain unclear at this stage.
• The Edinburgh instrument landing system (ILS) runway 18 instrument flight
procedure (IFP) is not contained within Class C airspace when the Edinburgh
tower is not active. The manual of standards (MOS) 173 specifies minimum
standards required to contain ILS procedures within CTA. Aircraft conducting
the Edinburgh ILS approach receive a Class C air traffic service during tower
hours and are separated from aircraft that are operating within Class C
airspace. However, the Edinburgh CTR becomes Class G airspace once the
tower is inactive and the separation service is no longer provided.
• Training activities are being concentrated to the northern extremes of the
training area in D220 and D280 due in part to the RA status of some of the
adjacent RAs.
• The volume of general aviation (GA) traffic along the coastal visual flight rules
(VFR) lane which transits through D220 and D280 is encouraging flying training
organisations to seek alternative locations to undertake flying training.
• The proximity of the Edinburgh CTR boundary to the Gawler runway can
constrain circuit operations at Gawler. Operators departing on runway 31 are
required to conduct a climbing turn shortly after take-off to avoid infringing the
Edinburgh CTR. This may present a hazard particularly for inexperienced and
student pilots who may be tempted to over bank the aircraft in some
circumstances.
• The boundary of R233A-B to the west of Roseworthy is an irregular shape
which restricts operations within the Gawler circuit area. Aircraft operating in the
Gawler circuit are constrained from operating to the west of Roseworthy as a
result.
1.3 Findings and conclusions
• Defence will reassess the suitability of the RAs and DAs as the new aircraft
that are scheduled to enter service from late 2016 are commissioned over the
ensuing 5 years.
• The occasional delays created in the airspace being managed by Airservices
for Defence are procedural matters not generated by the airspace
classification. Some of the procedures utilised to manage all of the traffic in the
area should be refined through the continuing exchange of information and
discussion to resolve issues as they emerge.
• The Edinburgh ILS runway 18 approach path is not contained within Class C
airspace when the Edinburgh tower is not active. However military approaches
to Edinburgh using the ILS outside tower hours may be managed either on a
tactical basis, or by using contingency arrangements as necessary.
• The concentration of flying training activity to the northern areas of D220 and
D280 produces an over utilisation in those portions. Identifying suitable
alternative areas within the vicinity of the review area where the training can be
undertaken would provide considerable relief.
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• The boundary of R233A-B to the west of Roseworthy contains a section which
restricts Gawler circuit operations requiring a climbing turn to avoid infringing
the adjacent Edinburgh CTR. Whilst procedures are in place to ensure that the
hazard is highlighted, the risk of over banking the aircraft remains. Extending
this section of the circuit area will ease the risk considerably. A small variation
to straighten out the irregular north-western boundary of R233A-B would
provide additional benefits without impeding Defence operations.
1.4 Recommendations
CASA applies a precautionary approach when conducting aeronautical studies and therefore
the following recommendations are made:
1. Defence should reassess the airspace volumes, in particular R265B, by the end 2018
to ensure continued suitability. Where practicable, Defence should continue to pursue
options to optimise the use of RAs with a view to disestablishing RAs which are no
longer required.
2. The Gawler operators, with the support of Defence, should submit an airspace
change proposal to enlarge the western boundary of R233A-B adjacent to the Gawler
circuit area and to remove the irregular north-western boundary of R233A-B.

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Contents

1 Executive summary ........................................................................... 3
2 Introduction........................................................................................ 7
3 Airspace within the review area ......................................................... 9
4 Details of Military Restricted Areas .................................................. 13
5 Details of Military Danger Areas ...................................................... 17
6 Summary of stakeholder feedback .................................................. 17
7 Summary of issues .......................................................................... 20
8 Findings and conclusions ................................................................ 20
9 Recommendations........................................................................... 21
Annex A – Acronyms and abbreviations ................................................ 22
Annex B – Australian airspace structure ............................................... 23
Annex C – Stakeholder consultation list ................................................ 24
Annex D – References .......................................................................... 25
Annex E – Stakeholder consultation feedback ...................................... 26

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2 Introduction
The Office of Airspace Regulation (OAR) within the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA)
has carriage of the regulation of Australian-administered airspace, in accordance with
section 11 of the Airspace Act 2007 (Act). Section 12 of the Act requires CASA to foster
both the efficient use of Australian-administered airspace and equitable access to that
airspace for all users. CASA must also take into account the capacity of Australian-
administered airspace to accommodate changes to its use. In exercising its powers and
performing its functions, CASA must regard the safety of air navigation as the most
important consideration.

Section 3 of the Act states that ‘the object of this Act is to ensure that Australian-
administered airspace is administered and used safely, taking into account the following
matters:
a. protection of the environment;
b. efficient use of that airspace;
c. equitable access to that airspace for all users of that airspace;
d. national security.’
2.1 Overview of Australian Airspace Classification
In line with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Annex 11 Australian airspace
is classified as Class A, B, C, D, E, F and G depending on the level of service required to
manage traffic safely and effectively. Class B and Class F are not currently used in Australia.
The classification determines the category of flights permitted and the level of air traffic
services (ATS) provided. Annex B provides details of the classes of airspace used in
Australia. Within this classification system aerodromes are either controlled (i.e. Class C or
Class D) or non-controlled.
2.2 Purpose of the Review
In 2008, the OAR commissioned Hyder Consulting (Hyder) to provide a third party,
independent and objective review of the airspace within 50 nautical miles (nm) of Adelaide
International Airport (Adelaide), South Australia. The review contained a number of
recommendations including Recommendation 9 which states that:
‘The OAR is to conduct a review of Adelaide airspace managed by the Department of
Defence (Defence), specifically:
a. reduce the size of the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) base Edinburgh
(Edinburgh) Control Zone (CTR) to south of the Gawler River;
b. put in place the minimum dimension and Class of airspace required for the
protection of Defence aircraft operating outside the hours of Edinburgh tower;
c. replace R259 and that portion of R265A routinely released for glider and
balloon activity with a danger area for flying training; and
d. review all Restricted Areas (RAs) and Danger Areas (DAs) administered by
Defence.’
The purpose of this airspace review is to address Recommendation 9 and conduct a review
of the airspace managed by Defence within 50 nm of Adelaide, South Australia.
2.3 Scope
The scope of the review included identification and consultation with stakeholders to gather
necessary data and information. This included consultation with passenger transport (PT2)
operators, charter operators, flying training schools, Defence, emergency services operators
and aerodrome operators. CASA also took the opportunity to consider improvements to
airspace systems and to initiate airspace reform activities through the conduct of this
airspace review.

2 For the purposes of this study, PT services can be defined as activities involving Regular Public Transport and all non-freight-
only Charter operations.
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The scope did not extend to aerodrome facilities and infrastructure issues, unless any
weakness or failing in these areas had a significant impact on the safety of airspace users.
2.4 Objective
This review focused on assessing the broad operations and interactions with the Department
of Defence managed airspace (hereafter called Defence airspace) within the review area.
Particular attention was paid to the purpose of the Defence airspace and the conditions, if
any, generating a resulting requirement to alter the airspace.
This was accomplished by:
a. Investigating through stakeholder consultation and site visits, the
appropriateness of the current airspace classification, access issues, instrument
approach design issues, expected changes to the current traffic levels and the
mix of aircraft operations within the existing airspace;
b. Analysing current traffic levels and mix of aircraft operations in relation to the
level of air traffic services provided;
c. Identifying any threats to the safety of operations and the priority given to the
safety and protection of PT services;
d. Carrying out a qualitative and quantitative risk assessment of the current
airspace environment and the expected impact of any changes, including review
of fast time simulation undertaken by CASA;
e. Reviewing Aeronautical Information Publication (AIP) entries for applicability;
f. Ensuring that any issues raised were passed onto the relevant stakeholder
group for their consideration; and
g. Providing assurance to the Air Navigation, Airspace and Aerodromes Branch
Manager of the efficient use of the airspace and the provision of equitable
access where possible.

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3 Airspace within the review area
3.1 Airspace Structure
The airspace within 50 nm of Adelaide, is predominantly controlled airspace (CTA) Class C
and Class D with areas of uncontrolled airspace (Class G) below and adjacent to the CTA.
Refer to Figure 1 for an extract from the Adelaide visual navigation chart (VNC). The
airspace includes a number of RAs and DAs.

Figure 1: Extract of Adelaide VNC (Airservices: Effective date 26 May 2016).
3.2 Airspace Management
Airservices Australia (Airservices) provides ATS in the review area from the Adelaide
Terminal Control Unit (TCU), en route services from the Melbourne Air Traffic Services
Centre and control tower services from Adelaide and Parafield airport control towers. The
RAAF provides an ATS within the Edinburgh CTR during tower hours from their tower at
RAAF Edinburgh. Edinburgh tower is active from 0800 to 2300 (local time) from Monday to
Thursday and 0800 to 1700 hours (local time) on Friday. Airservices also provides ATS
under contract to Defence in the airspace adjacent to the Edinburgh CTR during tower
hours. Outside tower hours non-controlled aerodrome procedures apply at RAAF
Edinburgh.
The airspace surrounding Adelaide is used by passenger transport operators, Defence,
emergency services, flying training organisations, charter companies, private pilots,
parachute operators, gliding clubs, balloon operators, hang gliders and recreational (sport,
ultralight and microlight) pilots.
There are 22 RAs and DAs within 50 nm of Adelaide. Refer to Table 1 for a list of RAs and
DAs.
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RESTRICTED AND DANGER AREAS WITHIN THE REVIEW AREA
PURPOSE AS STATED IN THE
CONTROLLING AUTHORITY OR RA MILITARY AIRSPACE
RA/DA NUMBER LOCATION DESIGNATED AIRSPACE HANDBOOK
CONTACT STATUS Y/N
(DAH) 26 MAY 2016
R221 BUCKLAND PARK LASER RADIATION OCCULAR HAZARD AIRSERVICES AUSTRALIA RA3 N
R231 ADELAIDE MILITARY FLYING FLTCDR 453SQN EDINBURGH RA2 Y
R233A EDINBURGH MILITARY FLYING FLTCDR 453SQN EDINBURGH RA1 Y
R233B EDINBURGH MILITARY FLYING FLTCDR 453SQN EDINBURGH RA1 Y
R234 EDINBURGH MILITARY FLYING FLTCDR 453SQN EDINBURGH RA1 Y
R255 EDINBURGH MILITARY FLYING FLTCDR 453SQN EDINBURGH RA1 Y
R265A EDINBURGH MILITARY FLYING FLTCDR 453SQN EDINBURGH RA1 Y
R265B EDINBURGH MILITARY FLYING FLTCDR 453SQN EDINBURGH RA1 Y
R265C * EDINBURGH MILITARY FLYING FLTCDR 453SQN EDINBURGH RA1 Y
R265D * EDINBURGH MILITARY FLYING FLTCDR 453SQN EDINBURGH RA1 Y
R279 EDINBURGH MILITARY FLYING / NON FLYING FLTCDR 453SQN EDINBURGH RA2 Y
R292A PORT WAKEFIELD MILITARY FLYING / NON FLYING ARMY RCO PORT WAKEFIELD RA3 Y
R292B PORT WAKEFIELD MILITARY FLYING / NON FLYING ARMY RCO PORT WAKEFIELD RA3 Y
R292C PORT WAKEFIELD MILITARY FLYING / NON FLYING ARMY RCO PORT WAKEFIELD RA3 Y
R292D PORT WAKEFIELD MILITARY FLYING / NON FLYING ARMY RCO PORT WAKEFIELD RA3 Y
R292E PORT WAKEFIELD MILITARY FLYING / NON FLYING ARMY RCO PORT WAKEFIELD RA3 Y
R292F PORT WAKEFIELD MILITARY FLYING / NON FLYING ARMY RCO PORT WAKEFIELD RA3 Y
R298 PELICAN POINT HEAT PLUME AVOIDANCE INTERNATIONAL POWER AUSTRALIA RA3 N
D220 PARAFIELD FLYING TRAINING / TRANSIT AREA CASA OAR N/A N
D280 PARAFIELD FLYING TRAINING / TRANSIT AREA CASA OAR N/A N
D297A ** SOUTH PARA FLYING TRAINING FLTCDR 453SQN EDINBURGH N/A Y
D297B ** SOUTH PARA FLYING TRAINING FLTCDR 453SQN EDINBURGH N/A Y
Table 1: List of Restricted Areas and Danger Areas within 50 nm Adelaide.
* RA adjacent to, yet outside the 50 nm review area.
** DA has been disestablished by NOTAM and will be removed from the aeronautical charts on 10
November 2016.
3.3 Defence airspace
The Defence airspace in the review area comprises of :
1) the Edinburgh Class C CTR; and
2) airspace volumes that are categorised as either a RA or in some cases a DA.
The purpose of Defence airspace is to protect non-participant operators - generally civilian
aircraft - from the military activities that represent a risk or are considered incompatible to
one another.
There are 22 RAs and DAs within the review area, 18 of those are considered to be
Defence airspace as they either have Defence as the nominated Controlling Authority or the
activity within is conducted by Defence.
The RAs are established for various reasons including military flying or firing activities. The
Designated Airspace Handbook (DAH) lists the dimensions and the purpose of each RA and
DA, as well as the details of the Controlling Authority in the case of a RA (Controlling
Review of Department of Defence managed airspace in the vicinity of Adelaide – November 2016 Version: 1.0