Inappropriate use of Guard frequency 121.5 - survey
The Safety and Technical team at the AFAP works with our other AusALPA partners to improve industry standards and practices.
We have held discussions with CASA and together, we seek your views on the use and misuse of the emergency frequency (121.5 MHz).
This three-minute survey seeks your views and experiences regarding the emergency frequency over the last 12 months (ONLY) and when this is unaligned with the intent and purpose for the frequency.
Please complete the AusALPA Emergency Frequency Survey.
________________________________________
Australian Bureau of Meteorology –
The AFAP S&T encourages pilots to complete the BOM survey below:
Bureau of Meteorology Customer Experience Survey
________________________________________
Airspace Reviews
Ballina CTA
CASA recently sought feedback on a proposed airspace concept for Ballina. AusALPA provided comments on August 23, 2024, including:
1. General support for the proposed Class D and Class C airspace design
2. Suggestions for improvements regarding:
- Traffic to/from Lismore aerodrome, particularly the RWY 33 RNAV approach.
- Consideration to explore the inclusion of VFR transit routes and waypoints
- Consideration of nearby Aircraft Landing Areas, with an aim to have them OCTA if possible.
3. Concerns about potential conflicts in certain runway/restricted area scenarios
4. Recommendations for:
- Maintaining standardization in airspace design
- Addressing access issues for sport and recreation aircraft
- Implementing approach and control zone services concurrently. I.e. not to introduce the approach CTA steps prior to the introduction of the aerodrome control zone.
5. Strong support for the end-state proposal of combined control zone and approach service
AusALPA views this as a positive step towards mitigating separation risks in the Ballina airspace and urges continued collaboration between agencies. AusALPA was a strong and original advocate for the introduction of control services in this airspace.
For more information contact technical@afap.org.au
________________________________________
Airservices Industry Meeting; Enabling increased use of SODPROPs at Brisbane Airport
Last week, AusALPA attended an online industry meeting hosted by Airservices regarding the increased use of Simultaneous Opposite Direction Parallel Runway Operations (SODPROPs) at Brisbane Airport (BNE) for noise abatement.
In summary:
Airservices anticipates a Ministerial Direction around November 30 requiring aircraft noise mitigation improvements.
Concerns were raised about the compressed timeline for assessing impacts and the influence of the election cycle on safety assessments.
AusALPA remains cautious about a potential increase in Tail Wind limits but is pleased that Airservices have dropped advocating for this non standard increase.
Increased use of SODPROPs is planned, and data on impacts will need to be collected.
AusALPA will continue to monitor the situation.