May 01, 2010
On June 3 there are going to be some big changes at GAAP and Class D aerodromes. It is going to affect just about everyone, and the changes appear, by and large, to be a benefit to pilots.
On that day CASA will do away with GAAP aerodromes. Not physically, of course. Instead GAAP aerodromes and their associated airspace will become Class D in line with International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) Class D procedures. On that day too, our standards for wake turbulence and visual separation will also change to the ICAO standards.
So what is the difference?
- Aircraft operating under IFR procedures into the zone won’t have to change to VFR rules on VFR friendly days as they do now.
- All flights will receive air traffic control service.
- IFR flights will be separated from IFR and Special VFR flights, and will receive traffic information about VFR flights.
- VFR flights will receive traffic information about IFR and VFR flights.
- Special VFR flights will be separated from Special VFR flights.
Talk like Americans
As well, there will be changes to the way we talk on the radio. When we enter Class D airspace, we will communicate with ATC the same as they do in America. When we contact ATC we will let them know about our track, position, level and intentions. ATC may clear us to enter the airspace by simply acknowledging the transmission with my aircraft’s callsign and include an instruction (JOIN …; OVERFLY … ; REPORT …)
Once clearance to enter the Class D airspace is given, we will be required to maintain 2-way radio communications and to comply with any other instructions. Specific clearance will still be required to taxi or enter, cross or back-track a runway.
The new communications method is expected to reduce the amount of talking on the radio. According to CASA, the traditional clearance process – clearance request, clearance issue, readback of clearance – reduces the likelihood of misunderstood communications but takes up a lot of air time and is cumbersome. This is particularly the case when a pilot makes a straightforward request to do something (eg ‘Request transit the control zone northbound coastal at 500ft), ATC understands what the pilot wants to do and clears the pilot (eg Track northbound coastal 500 ft), and the pilot then has to essentially repeat the original request as a response.
Under the proposed change, ATC response could be as simple as telling the pilot to report at a particular location. The proposal does not do away with the traditional communication but gives the pilot and ATC the option of an abbreviated chat when both know what they’re talking about.
A change in the weather
There’ll also be a change in the visual meteorological conditions (VMC) in Class D. Aeroplanes, helicopters and balloons will still need 5000 m visibility, but only 600 m horizontal distance from cloud (instead of 1500m) and 500ft vertical distance (instead of 1000ft). This could make some VFR flights dodgier than they are now.
Spread out
Under current rules, flights arriving at a GAAP aerodrome from outside controlled airspace must track via a GAAP aerodrome approach point. From June 3 that approach point becomes a ‘recommended practice’ rather than a ‘mandatory requirement’. ATC may still sometimes instruct an aircraft to enter Class D airspace via a particular point. But everyone realises that when multiple aircraft are required to converge to the same point at the same level, there is an increased risk of collision. The change is intended to mitigate that risk.
Wake turbulence
CASA proposes to adjust the time separation minimum for a light wake turbulence category aircraft landing behind a medium wake turbulence category aircraft from 2½ minutes to ICAO-standard 3 minutes. Pilots will still be responsible for maintaining own separation with a preceding aircraft. But from June 3 ATC will not resume responsibility for wake turbulence separation on short final as it does now.
Visual separation
Up to now CASA allowed the use of visual separation to aircraft operating at Flight Level (FL) 125. From June 3 that will come down to 10,000 ft.
So much information
These have only been the highlights. There is a lot more to know before you wander into Class D airspace from June. CASA will be running information sessions around the country to help pilots understand the change.
Look on the CASA website for the one nearest you. You have to book because seats are limited. To read about all the changes for yourself visit: http://www.casa.gov.au/scripts/nc.dll?WCMS:STANDARD::pc=PC_100053
