CASA have confirmed all parachute descents in Class E airspace require a clearance from ATC authorising the descent. (AIP ENR 1.1 - 21.1.8 )
An Air Traffic Control Clearance is defined as:
Authorisation for aircraft to proceed under conditions specified by an Air Traffic Control unit.
A clearance does not always indicate positive separation.
• VFR aircraft in Class C airspace are subject to a clearance but not necessarily separated from other VFR aircraft.
• VFR aircraft in Class D airspace are subject to a clearance but not necessarily separated from IFR or VFR aircraft.
Provision of traffic information is a means by which ATC may acquit its responsibility to prevent collisions to aircraft both in and outside controlled airspace, subject to prescribed standards, procedures and practices.
A drop clearance in Class E airspace provides the pilot with an assurance that ATC has provided all relevant Class E airspace traffic information. Controller responsibility for parachuting in Class E airspace is limited to provision of IFR and VFR traffic and withholding a clearance when a collision appears likely. Separation minima are not applied to parachutists in Class E airspace.
A notification of clearance request made at least five (5) minutes before the proposed exit (AIP ENR 1.1 - 21.1.8 ) also satisfies the requirement for pilots of PJE aircraft operating in Class E airspace to establish contact with ATC notifying the intent to commence operations before the drop commences (AIP ENR 5.5 - 2.3.1) When insufficient notice is given, the drop clearance may be delayed
Where a parachutist will descend through different classes of controlled airspace the drop clearance applies to the complete descent. The controller issuing the drop clearance is responsible for coordination of the clearance.
CASA have advised the Australian Parachute Federation of the requirement for drop clearances in Class E airspace.
The November 25 2004 AIP and MATS amendments will address this issue.
Parachute descents in or through Class E airspace require a clearance from ATC authorising the descent. This is phrased as “[call-sign] CLEAR TO DROP”. An individual drop clearance must be issued for each descent.
Controllers shall make a broadcast on the Class E frequency (MATS 4.6.1.3) Controllers shall issue traffic on IFR, known VFR and observed radar tracks to parachute aircraft. This is due to the parachutists inability to “see and avoid” other traffic during the descent. Where the disposition of traffic in Class E airspace is such that a Safety Alert would be appropriate if the parachutist were released, the drop clearance shall not be issued. Pilot reports may be used to confirm aircraft are clear of the drop zone.
The controller issuing a drop clearance is responsible for prior coordination of the clearance through all classes of controlled airspace affected by the descent. To prevent pilots requesting separate clearances to drop through Class E and D airspace they should be advised the drop clearance through Class E airspace includes the drop clearance through Class D airspace.
All Groups should review parachuting procedures and/or LoAs.