State Government proposes National Airspace System compromise

31/10/03 The State Government has proposed a compromise that would ensure safety in regional airports, if or when the National Airspace System is introduced.

31/10/03
The State Government has proposed a compromise that would ensure safety in regional airports, if or when the National Airspace System is introduced.
Planning and Infrastructure Minister Alannah MacTiernan said she had placed on the agenda of an upcoming Australian Transport Council meeting to be held in Adelaide, ongoing safety issues highlighted to her by the WA Aviation industry.
"I am not asking that the National Airspace System be abandoned, but rather that it be adapted appropriately to local conditions."
Ms MacTiernan said that in particular, she is seeking the following:

  • that the National Airspace System Implementation Group undertake an assessment between the mandatory broadcast zones and the US CTAF - common traffic advisory frequency - to consider Australian conditions, with input from the aviation industry;
  • that this assessment determine that the level of safety provided by the mandatory broadcast zones is higher than the alternative, a procedure be proposed to bridge the safety gap; and
  • that depending upon the size of the safety gap, the Civil Aviation Safety Authority undertake an assessment of the situation.
"My contact with all other State transport ministers revealed that they are equally concerned about the removal of mandatory broadcast zones, to be replaced by the United States' system of no compulsory radio calls and the see-and-be-seen strategy in our major regional airports and after hours at Jandakot Airport, "Ms MacTiernan said.

"I have received support from Civil Air - the air traffic controllers union - from chief pilots of local and interstate aviation operators and from many airport operators, including those at Broome and Jandakot.
"I am confident that our concerns are well founded, yet Deputy Prime Minister and Aviation Minister John Anderson and his department do not accept that there is a problem.
"Apparently, all these aviation professionals are misguided in their fears about the safety impact of this scheme.
"I urge the Deputy Prime Minister to work collaboratively with the industry and the State ministers to resolve the issue," she said.
"If we cannot achieve a positive response to this modest request, we will convene a forum of the industry over the next few months to increase public awareness of the threat to public safety posed by this federal proposal."
Minister's office: 9213 6400