Changes to air traffic control standards for parallel runway operations - (CD 1903AS)

Overview

Amendments to:  Part 172 Manual of Standards (MOS)

CASA proposes to change the air traffic control (ATC) standards for parallel runway operations, including those in use at Sydney (Kingsford Smith) aerodrome, and in the near future, Brisbane aerodrome.

Parallel runways enable busy aerodromes to efficiently and safely handle large numbers of aircraft movements. To ensure the safety of aircraft when operating in close proximity — as occurs during parallel runway operations — there are international standards for minimum lateral displacement between parallel runways, and the associated flight guidance and monitoring equipment, operations, and pilot/controller training.

The Australian standards for parallel runway operations are based on International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards originally introduced in 1995. The local standards are specified in Section 10.4 of the Part 172 Manual of Standards (MOS).  Consistent with the original ICAO standards, the MOS only allows instrument landing system (ILS) for final approach guidance during parallel runway operations and requires ATC to manually vector all arriving aircraft onto final approach.

In November 2018, ICAO amended its standards for parallel runway operations. The changes include the ability to use GNSS Landing System (GLS), RNP APCH AR, and Approach Procedures with Vertical Guidance (APV), in addition to ILS, for final approach guidance. In addition to vectoring, ATC may now also clear aircraft to intercept final approach for a parallel approach operation using a published arrival and approach procedure.

CASA is proposing to adopt the new ICAO standards for use in Australia. To do this, CASA proposes to omit the relevant sections of the MOS. By this action, under the hierarchy in Division 172.C.2 of CASR, the provisions in PANS-ATM section 6.7 Operations on parallel or near-parallel runways will become the applicable standard for operations in Australia.

It should be noted that CASA is not proposing to amend the existing MOS standards for Independent Parallel Visual Approaches, Dependent Parallel Visual Approaches, or Simultaneous Opposite Direction Parallel Runway Operations (SODPROPS) – Subsections 10.4.5, 10.4.6 and 10.4.8 respectively.

The proposed change is structured to become binding on 8 November 2019 but allows an ATS provider to 'opt in' prior to that date.

Documents for review

A copy of the Summary of Proposed Change and other documents related to this consultation are provided below in the ‘Related’ section. This includes a downloadable Word copy and PDF of this consultation for ease of distribution and feedback within your organisation. Please use the on-line consultation form for your response. The word document and PDF should not be used as an emailed submission.

The Summary of Proposed Policy CD 1903AS, comprises three parts:

• Summary of Proposed Change
• Annex A - The draft amending instrument called 'Manual of Standards Part 172 Amendment Instrument 2019 (No. 1)' 303.0 KB (PDF document)
• Annex B - Table comparing the existing MOS standards and proposed (ICAO) provisions for operations to parallel runways 969.1 KB (PDF document)

Why your views matter

This consultation is seeking feedback on the proposal to adopt the ICAO PANS-ATM standards for operations to parallel runways instead of the existing equivalent standards specified in Section 10.4 of the Part 172 MOS.

General comments and file upload option

There is a general comments box at the end of the consultation. You can add your comments on matters related to the regulatory amendment, which have not already been addressed in the consultation. This page also contains a file upload for an additional document should you wish to provide one.

Comments on the proposal to adopt the ICAO PANS-ATM standards for operations to parallel runways should be submitted through the online response form.

What happens next

Once the consultation has closed, we will register and review each submission received through the online response form. We will make all submissions publicly available on the Consultation Hub, unless you request that your submission remain confidential. We will also publish a Summary of Consultation which summarises the feedback received.

Information about how we consult and how to make a confidential submission is available on the CASA website.

To be notified of any future consultations, you can subscribe to our consultation and rulemaking mailing list.