Dick - I think, from reading AusALPA's correspondence on their web site, they oppose the replacement of D and C airspace with E, but a spokesperson told OAR that they would prefer E to G over Ayres Rock:
Issue: An Airline Pilot Representative organisation consider that improving levels of safety at Ayers Rock would require the following; to provide surveillance based IFR / IFR separation services to low level to expedite arrivals and departures.There is currently a lack of separation services between IFR aircraft when surveillance is available.
Finding: Current Air Navigation Service Provider of IFR/IFR services are based on procedural separation standards. Analysis reveals no recorded instances via ATSB or safety issues.Airservices considers that there is merit in conducting a trial of lowering Class E airspace in the vicinity of Ayers Rock. Lowering Class E airspace could enhance service delivery to IFR aircraft at no additional cost to Airservices.Airspace users (including VFR aircraft) could benefit from fitment of ADS-B avionics through the use of surveillance separation standards and surveillance information services.
Recommendation: Airservices should investigate the benefits of conducting a trial of lowering Class E airspace in the vicinity of Ayers Rock- The Preliminary review of December 2018, that contains the above reference does not seem to have been finalised.
- However Airservices has a fact sheet on their web site for a "trial" that was supposed to commence in November 2019 <https://www.airservicesaustralia.com/wp-content/uploads/Fact-Sheet-Trial-of-Class-E-Airspace-at-Ayers-Rock.pdf>
- But will commence on 21 May 2020 according to AIC H26/20. Unfortunately traffic at Ayers Rock is down by about 90% so I imagine it will be deferred.
- IFR aircraft will have 4000 feet of G airspace in which to become identified before being cleared into E.
CASA OAR also has the following on their web site:
Strategic - Assessment of options to enhance Class E airspace (AAPS 29-32AAPS 40-41) Collaborate with Airservices Australia to identify opportunities to enhance controlled airspace by increasing Class E airspace. Started September 2017 - Ongoing
Strategic - Australian Airspace Concept (AAPS 37) Deliver a concept for the future implementation of airspace architecture and solutions in Australian administered airspace (including Performance Based Navigation) Started October 2017 to be finished by June2020