Ayers Rock Class E Airspace Trial

Trial and consultation has concluded

Aerial view of Ayers Rock, Australia.

To increase the air traffic control surveillance separation service provided at Ayers Rock and enhance aviation safety, Airservices is undertaking a trial of Class E airspace steps at Ayers Rock (YAYE).

BACKGROUND

As part of a commitment to improving the provision of safe and innovative air traffic services through its Airspace Modernisation Program (AMP), Airservices continues to develop opportunities to enhance the level of safety and efficiency of Australian airspace.

On 21 May 2020, a trial of increased Class E airspace for Ayers Rock Airport (YAYE) commenced, following the approval of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) via their Airspace Change Proposal (ACP) process. The approved airspace design was developed through comprehensive consultation with airlines, general aviation and other industry stakeholders in 2019.

 

WHAT IS THE BENEFIT TO INDUSTRY?

The increased Class E airspace is intended to enhance aviation safety for operations to and from YAYE by increasing air traffic control (ATC) surveillance separation services for Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) operators from 5,500 feet above mean sea level (AMSL) and above through the availability of Automatic Dependent Surveillance Broadcast (ADS-B) capability at Ayers Rock. Visual Flight Rules (VFR) operations including scenic flights are still facilitated, and existing Common Traffic Advisory Frequency (CTAF) procedures remain in place.

 

WHAT DOES THE AIRSPACE LOOK LIKE?

The ‘steps’ are designed to provide Class E airspace in an 'upside-down wedding cake' shape within 60 nautical miles (NM) of YAYE, up to flight level (FL) 125 (where Class E airspace already exists):

- lower level 5,500 ft within 25 NM

- lower level 6,500 ft between 25 and 35 NM

- lower level 8,500 ft between 35 and 50 NM

- lower level FL115 between 50 and 60 NM.

Image: Ayers Rock Class E trial airspace step design. Source: AIP ERC-L7, effective 01 December 2022 AIRAC.


HOW WILL SUCCESS BE MEASURED?

The success of the trial will be measured by a review of related operational safety occurrences as well as feedback from industry and ATC.

 

DURATION OF THE TRIAL

The trial was intended to run for twelve months, concluding in May 2021. However, the significant reduction in air traffic at Ayers Rock that occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic prevented the gathering of data to suitably assess the trial.

- In September 2020, CASA approved a six-month extension of the trial to December 2021.

- In August 2021, CASA approved a further extension to 1 December 2022.

- In November 2022, CASA approved a further extension to 31 March 2023, with no further extensions anticipated beyond this date.


INDUSTRY FEEDBACK

Airservices is seeking industry feedback via the survey form located at the bottom of this page. The survey will close at the end of the extended trial period, 31 March 2023.







To increase the air traffic control surveillance separation service provided at Ayers Rock and enhance aviation safety, Airservices is undertaking a trial of Class E airspace steps at Ayers Rock (YAYE).

BACKGROUND

As part of a commitment to improving the provision of safe and innovative air traffic services through its Airspace Modernisation Program (AMP), Airservices continues to develop opportunities to enhance the level of safety and efficiency of Australian airspace.

On 21 May 2020, a trial of increased Class E airspace for Ayers Rock Airport (YAYE) commenced, following the approval of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) via their Airspace Change Proposal (ACP) process. The approved airspace design was developed through comprehensive consultation with airlines, general aviation and other industry stakeholders in 2019.

 

WHAT IS THE BENEFIT TO INDUSTRY?

The increased Class E airspace is intended to enhance aviation safety for operations to and from YAYE by increasing air traffic control (ATC) surveillance separation services for Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) operators from 5,500 feet above mean sea level (AMSL) and above through the availability of Automatic Dependent Surveillance Broadcast (ADS-B) capability at Ayers Rock. Visual Flight Rules (VFR) operations including scenic flights are still facilitated, and existing Common Traffic Advisory Frequency (CTAF) procedures remain in place.

 

WHAT DOES THE AIRSPACE LOOK LIKE?

The ‘steps’ are designed to provide Class E airspace in an 'upside-down wedding cake' shape within 60 nautical miles (NM) of YAYE, up to flight level (FL) 125 (where Class E airspace already exists):

- lower level 5,500 ft within 25 NM

- lower level 6,500 ft between 25 and 35 NM

- lower level 8,500 ft between 35 and 50 NM

- lower level FL115 between 50 and 60 NM.

Image: Ayers Rock Class E trial airspace step design. Source: AIP ERC-L7, effective 01 December 2022 AIRAC.


HOW WILL SUCCESS BE MEASURED?

The success of the trial will be measured by a review of related operational safety occurrences as well as feedback from industry and ATC.

 

DURATION OF THE TRIAL

The trial was intended to run for twelve months, concluding in May 2021. However, the significant reduction in air traffic at Ayers Rock that occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic prevented the gathering of data to suitably assess the trial.

- In September 2020, CASA approved a six-month extension of the trial to December 2021.

- In August 2021, CASA approved a further extension to 1 December 2022.

- In November 2022, CASA approved a further extension to 31 March 2023, with no further extensions anticipated beyond this date.


INDUSTRY FEEDBACK

Airservices is seeking industry feedback via the survey form located at the bottom of this page. The survey will close at the end of the extended trial period, 31 March 2023.