Gday
Took this from the CASA website:
The Civil Aviation Safety Authority’s (CASA) Director of Aviation Safety, John McCormick, has given notice of his intention to issue legal directions to pilots and Airservices Australia in relation to General Aviation Aerodrome Procedures (GAAP) used at
Archerfield, Bankstown, Camden, Jandakot, Moorabbin and
Parafield aerodromes.
The proposed directions are part of CASA’s ongoing efforts to improve safety at GAAP aerodromes and complement the education and awareness campaign currently being undertaken by CASA regarding safety and procedures at these aerodromes.
“The action we are taking is the result of extensive qualitative and quantitative analysis undertaken by CASA in recent months, including surveillance activity of Air Traffic Services (ATS) at GAAP aerodromes. This is also consistent with the findings of a review of airspace management recently commissioned by CASA (‘the Ambidji Report’) which has highlighted the need for immediate action to improve airspace management at GAAP aerodromes,” Mr McCormick said.
“GAAP aerodromes are busy hubs of Australian general aviation and are home to numerous flying schools, charter operators, aircraft maintenance businesses, and private aircraft. The safety of all airspace users and of people on the ground is CASA’s primary concern,” said Mr McCormick.
Effective Tuesday 21 July 2009, the proposed directions would require:
- An immediate limitation on the number of aeroplanes in the circuit for one runway, controlled by one Air Traffic Controller, to six. If two runways and two controllers are available then the total number of aeroplanes in the circuit would be limited to 12. An additional departure may be permitted at the discretion of the controller having given due consideration to all relevant safety factors.
- An immediate requirement for all aircraft to obtain an Air Traffic Control clearance to enter, cross or taxi along any runway.
- The provision (within 9 months) of aerodrome ATS daily for the hours of daylight without any reduction in the service currently provided during the hours of darkness.
The Director of Aviation Safety has also announced CASA will require that all GAAP aerodromes will be moving towards Class D air traffic control, by 21 April 2010, better harmonising arrangements in Australia with the current International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) airspace classification system.
“These proposed directions are an appropriate, measured and justifiable response to the safety requirements at and in the vicinity of GAAP aerodromes,” Mr McCormick said.
Aviation Safety Advisors and other CASA staff will commence briefing operators on the changes at each of the six aerodromes from today. Further information on the
proposed directions and a copy of the Ambidji Report is now available.
Is anyone else concerned with the possible implications of these procedures?, such as :
-the prospect of increased numbers of aircraft in a holding pattern at GAAP approach points while they wait for the controller to work his/her traffic down to just 6 aircraft?
-the obvious delays and subsequent cost to indusrty?
Im sure there is plenty more.
The prospect of holding people out of the zone until they become one of the 6 lucky ones seems to be contradictory to the mid-air collision propaganda mailed out last week.
Any thoughts?
-P.S Be gentle, 1st post.....