“Firstly, thank you for your NAS statement which I received on Monday morning. I appreciate your forthrightness and value your input.
The Government has decided to adopt the US FAA airspace model as the model for airspace reform. In Airservices, our responsibility is to ensure the safe implementation of these changes. The NAS model does result in a change of classification of some volumes of airspace and inherent with re-classification is a change of level of air traffic service provided. The re-classification and the resultant level have been deemed appropriate by the Aviation Reform Group. The NAS model has undergone an examination utilising the safety assessment process required for any change to the national airways system. It has been subject to two Safety Cases, one for implementation and one for design, and both have been endorsed as safe by Airservices’ own Directorate of Safety and Environmental Assurance (DSEA), and the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) as the aviation regulatory body in Australia.
Airservices Australia has examined the implementation of the change utilising its own safety management system. The Board and Management are satisfied that the 27 November changes are safe and should proceed.
The argument that the expansion of “E” airspace is less safe than the current system of “C” is somewhat inconsistent given that Class E is an ICAO airspace category and is widely used around the world. Services have been provided in Class E airspace between Canberra and Ballina for approximately 5 years. Nevertheless, this issue was carefully considered by management, the Board Safety and Environment Committee and the Board itself.
The Head Air Traffic Controller and Managers of the Centres have examined risks in the context of the ALARP model and have been signatories to both safety cases.
Training has been provided to ensure controllers can competently provide the services expected of them in Class E airspace. The professionalism of the ATC workforce in the successful completion of this training is well recognised by Melbourne Centre Management and by the Office of HATC.
In summary, I acknowledge that the nature of this airspace change is causing a degree of concern within the professional ATC workforce, however NAS 2B has undergone the mandated safety assessment process, which has been endorsed by the regulator.”
Yes Minister, eat your heart out...
Bottle of Rum