Changes to air charts

A SUITE of airspace and associated aeronautical charting changes will come into effect on November 25, some of which will impact on Defence.

The changes, managed by Airservices Australia, are the result of extensive aviation industry consultation about the National Airspace System.

The changes relate to Airservices Australia governance issues and Defence is cooperating with the introduction of the changes.

Wing Commander Jack Foley, the Defence National Airspace System project officer, said most Defence airspace would not be altered with these changes,
however additional class C steps would be introduced at the joint user airfields in Townsville and Darwin.

“It is critical that all aircrew, air traffic controllers and other civil airspace users familiarise themselves with the changes. New charts and education material are being distributed through the normal Defence aeronautical information services channels,” WGCDR Foley said.

New non-towered aerodrome procedures and changes to Defence restricted and danger airspace will be implemented in later stages.

Additional class C airspace steps will be added above both class C and D civil airfields and class C airspace will be introduced between Sydney and Melbourne.

All the airspace changes will be depicted on aeronautical charts from November 25. These charts will show frequency boundaries for class G and E airspace.

More details are available at www.airservicesaustralia.com/pilotcentre/training/nas/ or contact WGCDR Foley on (02) 6265 7258 or jack.foley@defence.gov.au.

Briefings

The Airspace and Environment Regulatory Unit has been briefing bases and the Regional Airspace Users Advisory Committee (RAPAC) on the changes. The remaining briefings are:

• RAAF Base Pearce, November 23, at 10am.
  
• RAPAC South Queensland (Brisbane), November 16, at noon.
  
• RAAF Base Amberley, November 17, at 10am.
  
• RAAF Base Townsville, November 22, at 9am.
  
• RAAF Base East Sale, November 24, at 10am.
  
• RAPAC VIC(Melbourne), November 25, at noon.
  

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