[Peetwo]

AusALPA bemused by Harfwit E over D proposal - 

By LMH, via the Yaffa:

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Airline Pilots set to object to E over D Proposal
1 May 2019
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The representative body of regular public transport pilots is likely to object to Airservices Australia's proposal to introduce Class E airspace over Class D towered airports.

This week, the Australian Airline Pilots Association (AusALPA) distributed an e-mail to various aviation groups stating that they were surprised that Airservices' reintroduced the concept to the Airspace Moderisation Program despite strenuous objections forwarded nearly a year ago.

In May 2018, AusALPA sent a submission to Airservices Australia responding to the proposal to trial Class E over D at Hobart and Launceston airports. In the submission, AusALPA stated that the changes would degrade rather than enhance safety.

"AusALPA ... views the proposal as a degradation of the airspace rather than an enhancement," the submission said. "We also question what problem this redesign of the airspace is aimed at solving, since we are unable to identify any safety or operational benefits for our members.
"Consequently, AusALPA considers that there is no justification for the airspace reclassification for trial purposes or otherwise."

In Class E airspace, IFR flights require an airways clearance, but VFR pilots do not, which means RPT flights into Class D towers need to rely on the see-and-avoid method of self-separation until they reach the Class D boundary. Currently, the airspace over Class D is Class C, which gives IFR flights protection all the way to the ground.

"The approach and departure phases of flight are relatively high workload phases of flight," AusALPA told Airservices last year. "Class E airspace increases the need to utilise ‘see and avoid’ measures when compared to that of Class C or D airspace.

"This is particularly problematic on descent where small aircraft can be almost impossible to visually detect due an array of ground clutter masking the ability to sight an aircraft."

It is believed that AusALPA will meet to form another response to the Airspace Modernisation Program that will closely reflect the feedback they provided last year.

Feedback to the Airspace Modernisation Program can be submitted on the Airservices Australia website.


Read more at http://www.australianflying.com.au/lates...e0v3Q05.99

Reference quote from 8 May 2018 AusALPA response to ASA - 'TRIAL OF CLASS E AIRSPACE SERVICES AT HOBART AND LAUNCESTON AIRPORTS': https://ausalpa.memnet.com.au/Portals/5/...135400-690

CONCLUDING REMARKS

AusALPA remains unconvinced that this proposal is necessary, that it has been sufficiently risk modelled, and that it will provide efficiencies in any meaningful manner.

AusALPA strongly believes that the proposed reclassification of the airspace would result in a reduction of safety protections and an increase in pilot workload, whilst providing no real net savings in efficiencies.

Given that IFR traffic must be provided with a controlled airspace service in either airspace classification, that VFR traffic has the option of accessing the current airspace through a clearance request and that there is no demonstrated need to free up the airspace for greater VFR traffic use without clearances, it is unclear to AusALPA why there is any requirement to change the airspace classification in Tasmania. This is supported by the OAR review.

AusALPA believes that this proposal will result in a degradation of safety rather than an enhancement without any significant operational efficiencies.

AusALPA, therefore, strongly opposes this proposal.

Call me cynical but have you ever noticed how these fat cat bureaucrats suddenly come up with these money grubbing aviation safety downgrade proposals when the pollywaffles are otherwise distracted - note the consultation period ends less than a week after the 18th of May Federal election - ie no parliamentary scrutiny??    

Hmm...passing strange??

Over on Twitter, in response to the E over D proposal, Noodle shared the following: 

Noodle
@fishonoodle

Replying to @PAIN_NET1 @aipa_pilots and 2 others

https://www.casa.gov.au/sites/default/fi...y-2019.pdf … ........almost magician like.......no change said the regulator....some one telling some one porkies

11:45 AM - 2 May 2019

OAR report quotes:

...The review found that there is no risk-based requirement to change the airspace classification at Launceston. The OAR has determined that the current airspace classification is fit for purpose2 and recommends no change to the classification. The airspace provides a safe and equitable level of access for users within the airspace. This is based upon the analysis of safety and incident data, consultation with stakeholders and the breakdown of annual aircraft and passenger movement statistics within the review area...

2 ‘fit for purpose’ means that the product or service is satisfactory for the purpose it was designed for. 

Recommendation 1 The OAR recommends no change to the airspace classification at
Launceston.

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...The review found that the existing airspace is fit for purpose and the complies with the requirements of the Act for safe operations and enables equitable access to that airspace for all users of the airspace. The review identified that further examination of the current airspace design undertaken that may provide benefits for aircraft operations in controlled airspace.

The review made four recommendations including no change to the current airspace classification. An observation was made for the OAR to investigate the information received in relation to aircraft containment within controlled airspace whilst conducting continuous descent operations with regard to the airspace design at Launceston...

Nail on the head Noodle, someone indeed is telling porkies -   



MTF...P2