CASA Media Release - Friday, 20 February 2004
CASA moves to fine-tune new airspace system
A range of initiatives to fine-tune the new National Airspace System have been put forward by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority.
The initiatives respond to the findings of the investigation of an air incident that occurred near Launceston in December last year that involved a light aircraft and a Boeing 737.
CASA consulted with Airservices Australia and the National Airspace Implementation Group on the initiatives, which will adopted as quickly as possible. The initiatives have been reported to the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Transport, John Anderson.
CASA is confident the changes will further enhance the safety of the new system by providing additional information and advice to pilots.
CASA will also continue to actively consult with all sections of the aviation industry to monitor the progress of the new airspace system, as well as to listen to concerns and constructive suggestions.
CASA’s chief executive officer, Bruce Byron, says the initiatives directly address lessons that have been taken from the Launceston incident.
“The report into the Launceston incident by the Australian Transport Safety Bureau is the only objective assessment to date of the introduction of the National Airspace changes,” Mr Byron says.
“CASA has looked carefully at the findings and determined that some fine-tuning of the information being made available to pilots will further improve the new system.
“In particular, CASA supports placing air traffic control frequencies on all visual charts, the inclusion of instrument flight rules routes on appropriate visual charts and the provision of additional pilot training and education material.
“Training and education should re-emphasise that pilots must monitor appropriate radio frequencies, make radio contact with other aircraft where there is the potential for conflict and remember the additional flexibility of the new system brings some added responsibilities.”
Mr Byron says CASA found no reason to recommend radical changes to the new airspace system after reviewing the report into the Launceston incident.
He said pilots should review the extensive eduction and training material they have been given on NAS to make sure they continue to correctly follow the new procedures and make sure they obtain and study new material as it becomes available.
http://casa.gov.au/media/2004/04-02-20.htm