Lowering of Class E Airspace in Low Density Continental Areas

Airservices Australia is lowering Class E airspace to 12,500ft (FL125) in low density continental areas to increase the availability of separation services to Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) aircraft.

BACKGROUND

Airservices is lowering Class E airspace to 12,500ft (FL125) in low density continental areas on 21 May 2020 as part of the Airspace Modernisation Program, having received approval from the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA).

This change will increase separation services to Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) aircraft by replacing the uncontrolled Class G airspace with controlled Class E airspace above FL125. Airspace users operating in low density areas will benefit from a greater level of surveillance and service, while enhancing the safety and efficiency of operations.

Airservices consulted widely with airlines and industry stakeholders in 2019. The feedback we received was incorporated into the design and implementation processes, resulting in the final airspace design outlined below.

WHAT ARE THE IMPACTS OF THIS CHANGE?

· Airservices is lowering Class E airspace in low density continental areas (excluding existing Class E airspace with a Lower Limit (LL) of A085 in the medium and high density areas of the J Curve).

· Class E airspace remains unchanged in high and medium density airspace.

· Class E airspace remains unchanged in the Tasmania, Dubbo and Mildura Class E corridor areas. These areas are becoming indiscernible with the newly lowered Class E airspace surrounding them.

· Class E steps above FL125 surrounding Broome and Karratha are removed with the newly lowered Class E airspace in these areas.

WHAT WILL THE AIRSPACE LOOK LIKE?

Figure 1: Continental, Medium Density and High-Density Airspace Diagram

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS TO AIRSPACE USERS?

The expected benefits in lowering Class E airspace in low density continental areas include:

· Increased availability of separation services in Class E airspace for IFR aircraft.

· Reduced IFR pilot workload involved with self-separating in Class G airspace using Direct Traffic Information (DTI) from air traffic control.

· Increased level of service provided to IFR pilots from a Flight Information Service (FIS) to a separation service for IFR to IFR aircraft.

· Increased availability of separation services in Class E airspace to IFR aircraft provides enhanced safety through separation assurance between IFR aircraft in controlled airspace when compared to self-separation in Class G airspace.

WHEN WILL THIS CHANGE START?

Class E Airspace will be lowered to FL125 on Thursday, 21 May 2020.

HOW DO I ASK QUESTIONS ON THIS CHANGE?

Please refer to the Q&A section below to submit your question.