Part 172 of the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998 (CASR) and its associated Part 172 Manual of Standards (MOS) regulates the provision of air traffic services (ATS).
We are seeking comments on an amendment to the Part 172 MOS that would:
A VSS includes video cameras and optical surveillance systems that either augment or improve human surveillance at existing control towers, or completely replace a traditional control tower facility. It is proven technology – already in use in several countries – that could provide a cost-effective solution for introducing air traffic control services at aerodromes and overcoming sight line deficiencies at existing control towers.
Division 172.C.3 of CASR requires ATS facilities and equipment in Australia to comply with standards set out in the Part 172 MOS and Chapter 6 of Annex 11 to the Convention on International Civil Aviation (Chicago Convention).
Annex 11 to the Chicago Convention and ICAO Doc. 4444 (also known as the Procedures for Air Navigation Services - Air Traffic Management - PANS-ATM) have enabling standards for VSS. CASA considers these standards suitable for use in Australia. However, Division 172.C.3 of CASR does not reference the relevant parts of the ICAO standards. Critically, the standards in Chapter 3 of the Part 172 MOS require direct human observation from control towers.
Proposed changes to the standards
To enable the use of VSS in Australia, we are proposing the following changes to Chapter 3 of the Part 172 MOS:
We have also identified a shortcoming in the Chapter 3 standards regarding the sight lines from control towers over new runways or modified sections of existing runways, and have identified unnecessary duplication between the standards in Chapter 3 and other regulatory references and ICAO standards. To address these matters, we are also proposing to:
Previous consultations
Prior to the release of this consultation draft, CASA has consulted internally and externally via a working group consisting of representatives from CASA, Airservices Australia and Civil Air – the air traffic controllers’ association.
Consultation with the community and the aviation industry throughout the policy decision-making process ensures that the proposed new rules are clearly articulated and would work in practice and as they are intended.
Documents for review
All documents related to this consultation are attached in the ‘Related’ section at the bottom of the overview page. They are:
Please submit your comments through the Consultation Hub using the survey provided. If you are unable to provide feedback this way, please contact us for advice through regulatoryconsultation@casa.gov.au.
What happens next
At the end of the response period for public comment, we will review each comment and submission received. We will make all submissions publicly available on the CASA website, unless you request your submission remain confidential. We will also publish a Summary of Consultation which summarises the feedback received, intended changes and plans for the regulation.
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