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CAA Proposes New Airspace Management System
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On 1 August Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) announced its new airspace management proposal, a proposal which will radically overhaul the Australian airspace management system by replacing it with one based on the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) model.
Although still labelled a proposal, the CAA has already decided to adopt the ICAO airspace classification, basically because it is a proven system which can well replace the present almost archaic Australian system. The aviation industry is presently being consulted to determine just how the various airspace classifications will be implemented and what changes to related standards and practices are needed. A booklet explaining the new system has been sent out to all aircraft operators and owners inviting comments and suggestions, but with the vast majority of non owner pilots not having ready access to the new proposal, there does appear to be a level of confusion about what it all means and why change is needed.
The reasons for implementing change are several. To begin with, the CAA believes the distinction between controlled and uncontrolled airspace has become just too sharp. The fact that radar services are only provided in controlled airspace is believed to be courting disaster, particularly in the flight lanes around our busiest sectors- Sydney immediately comes to mind- where the absence of radar control for light GA aircraft raises the potential for mid air collision. Flight Service Officers who service the uncontrolled flight lanes are often presented with several aircraft with which to deal, and maintaining a mental picture of where these aircraft are at a given moment is often very difficult, if not impossible. Combine this with often difficult flight lanes and inexperienced pilots, and it is not surprising aircraft stray into controlled airspace or restricted zones.
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