TRIGGER NOTAM - AIP SUP H132/18 CHANGE TO THE RECOMMENDED ALTITUDES FOR AIRCRAFT TO FLY USING THE MELBOURNE (PORT PHILLIP BAY) VFR ROUTE AVBL FM AIRSERVICES WEBSITE
HTTP://AIRSERVICESAUSTRALIA.COM/AIP/AIP.ASP (LOWER CASE) FROM 11 271600 TO 12 111600
Victorian RAPAC Working Party 1 (VWP1) was convened to discuss the resolution moving forward after the 8 November 2018 (charting cycle) unexpected reversal of altitudes recommended to be used whilst flying along the Melbourne Coastal Route that follows the shore of Port Phillipfrom the BOM TOWER near Altona in the north-west to Carrum in the south east.
Concern was raised in RAPAC that the new altitudes, which were selected to maximise gliding range to land and assist compliance with CAR258, were in contravention of CAR173(2) and introduced a collision risk between pilots aware of the recommended levels as per the Melbourne VTC insetand those who were complying with CAR173(2) with respect to cruising levels. Members of RAPAC and the members of VWP1 feel that the risk associated with recommending levels not in accordance with CAR173(2) far outweighs any benefit that may be gained with respect to gliding distances from land and CAR258 of the revised levels.
Since the aircraft operating along this route which are following the recommended altitudes will be vertically separated by at least 500ft, traffic in both directions may safely operate on the same track laterally and thus be operating the same distance from land.
A win for all - well done to those involved in having this change reviewed.