New SOPs for non-towered aerodromes

AVIATORS Australia-wide will soon be provided with a new set of standard procedures for operations at non-towered aerodromes.

The changes, which reportedly comprise a set of simplified procedures, will come into effect on November 24 this year.

A non-towered aerodrome is one which has either limited or no air traffic control.

The new operations are being introduced as part of the National Airspace System (NAS) implementation, which has been underway since May 2002.

The NAS implementation is based on the US airspace system.

According to the National Airspace System Implementation Group, the new procedures will give pilots greater operational flexibility and efficiency. Among other benefits, they will allow pilots of all radio-equipped aircraft to perform straight-in approaches when it is safe to do so. Aircraft operating at high traffic density aerodromes (initially all existing mandatory broadcast zones – MBZs) will be required to carry and use a radio.

Civil Aviation Regulation (CAR) 166 will be amended before the new procedures come into effect.

Further information is available from http://www.dotars.gov.au/airspacereform and follow the links for “Information Forums” or contact the Airspace Reform Hotline on 1800 007 024.

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