Proposed MOS and CAO changes for Class D CTA around Bankstown (CD 2611OS)

GM 91.240 Flight notifications

[existing words]

The flight notification requirements are contained in Chapter 9 of the Part 91 MOS.

Three types of flight notifications are used in Australia:

• International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) format flight plan
• SARTIME notification
• flight note.

[new additional words]

Detailed flight planning and flight notification procedures for Australia are contained in AIP ENR 1.10.

Two of the 3 types of flight notifications are available to be shared with Australia’s air traffic service provider Airservices Australia:

• International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) format flight plan
• SARTIME notification.

The third kind of flight notification – a flight note – is not submitted to Airservices Australia and is instead provided to a responsible person who is expected to notify the appropriate search and rescue authority (Australian Maritime Safety Authority [AMSA] for the Australian FIRs) if the flight becomes overdue.

The type of flight notification required is based on the service that is needed or expected from ATS during flight. Flight plans might be minimum flight details about a portion of a flight or a complete ICAO format flight plan, with the acceptable content sometimes varied by individual aerodrome published procedures. Such local procedures would be published in the AIP ERSA aerodrome entry.

IFR flights all require some form of air traffic service to be provided and therefore a flight plan must be filed with Airservices Australia.

Similarly, as VFR flights in Class C or Class D airspace receive some form of air traffic service, they are also required to file a flight plan. However, the exact method for filing a flight plan for these flights is dependent on specific circumstances outlined in AIP ENR 1.10 or the AIP ERSA FAC entry for a specific aerodrome.

It is strongly recommended pilots and operators check whether unique procedures apply for aerodromes being used. You might consider obtaining a briefing from a local flight instructor on relevant local procedures, as delays may occur when Airservices Australia does not receive a flight plan in the manner required by local procedures. Generally, flight details submitted with less than the 30 minutes notification may be subject to delay.

Examples include:

• VFR flights departing Class D aerodromes into Class G airspace could 'submit a flight plan’ very simply via the radio transmission for taxi
• VFR flights departing the Bankstown Class D aerodrome (YSBK) into adjoining Class D control areas (CTA) must submit a formal ICAO format flight plan
• VFR flights departing from a Class C or D aerodrome directly into Class C airspace must submit a formal ICAO format flight plan.

Optionally, you can submit a ‘higher’ level of flight notification than the minimum required under Chapter 9 of the Part 91 MOS, which would provide additional safety assurance for your flight.

Flights not specifically required to submit any kind of flight notification by Chapter 9 of the Part 91 MOS are encouraged to submit 1 of the 3 kinds of flight notification. Pilots and operators are reminded that if either a flight plan is submitted, a SARTIME is nominated, or a flight note is left with a responsible person, then the requirements of sections 9.03, 9.04 and 9.05 of the Part 91 MOS will apply.