On June 23, Airservices Australia closed submissions on its plan to make changes to the continental and low–density airspace over much of the country.  

Airservices says the change is a key element in its five–year Airspace Modernisation Program. 

The plan involves standardising the application and management of Class E airspace by increasing the volume of Class E and reducing the volume of Class G airspace and by lowering the base of Class E to 12,500ft (FL125) nationally, where the current base is 18,000ft (FL180). 

Subject to approval, the change is planned for implementation in May next year. 

Under the plan, Class E will remain as is in the Mildura, Tasmania and Dubbo corridors; lowered to   L125 in low density continental areas (excluding control areas); increase the availability of controlled airspace services in the Class E airspace for IFR aircraft;  reduce IFR pilot workload of self-separating in Class G airspace using Directed Traffic Information; remove variation of Class E airspace around Australia; improve notification requirements for higher level parachute jumping in Class E airspace and; and increase the availability of separation service in Class E airspace to IFR aircraft. 

For more information, https://consultation.casa.gov.au/stakeholder-engagement-group/1-airspace-change-proposal-lowering-class-e-airspa/ 

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