Airspace review - Pilbara Region, Western Australia

Closed 16 Oct 2023

Opened 11 Sep 2023

Contact

Airspace Operations Coordinator

02 6217 1364

oar@casa.gov.au

Results updated 5 Mar 2025

CASA will progress and support several actions to enhance operations in the Pilbara region.

Following detailed analysis of aviation data for the Pilbara region, CASA did not identify any aviation safety issues that require immediate action at this time. However, there are challenges related to pilots maintaining situational awareness and a consequential high cockpit workload.

We will assess flight information services and work with Airservices Australia on assessing the adequacy of surveillance and communication coverage in the Pilbara region.

We will also continue to engage with stakeholders through the Pilbara Operators Safety Forum (POSF) to explore industry-led options that may reduce high cockpit workload and improve situational awareness.

The actions are a result from feedback we received during a review of Pilbara, as well as ongoing engagement with industry as a member of the POSF.

Read the findings, actions and next steps report for further information about actions already taken and what we’re doing to support operations in the Pilbara region.  

Files:

Published responses

View submitted responses where consent has been given to publish the response.

Overview

We want your feedback on the draft report of the Pilbara region airspace review.

The airspace review, conducted by CASA's Office of Airspace Regulation (OAR), evaluated the airspace within 100 nautical miles (NM) of Coondewanna airport (YCWA) from the surface to Flight Level (FL) 125. It also assessed the risks identified in safety incident reports provided by the air navigation service provider and the Australian Transport Safety Bureau.

Background
In 2020 we sought feedback on the airspace around the Pilbara region to evaluate the fitness for purpose of the airspace. We produced a preliminary report of the Pilbara Region airspace in 2021, on which we also sought feedback.

This 2023 draft report of the Pilbara region airspace review is significantly different to the preliminary report. Additional consultation conducted when preparing the draft report helped us understand issues and enabled some matters to be actioned. This included establishing the Pilbara Users Forum and the publication of a Terminal Area Chart for the Pilbara region.

Documents for review
Please read the draft Pilbara Region Airspace Review (August 2023) provided at the bottom of this page to help with your submission. We suggest you right click and open in a new tab or window.

Why your views matter

We are seeking feedback on the suitability of the airspace within the Pilbara region airspace review in Western Australia.

We want to hear from as many Pilbara region airspace users as possible including FIFO operations, agriculture and tourism operators, local flying schools, aero clubs, and industry bodies.

Your feedback will help us to finalise the Pilbara Basin Airspace Review.

We conduct regular reviews of Australian-administered airspace through the Office of Airspace Regulation.

Airspace reviews may be initiated based on information related to annual aircraft and passenger movements, aviation incidents and any feedback or information provided on issues related to airspace activity.

Completing the survey
Please submit your comments using the survey link on this page.

If you would like to provide further feedback, please email OAR@casa.gov.au with the subject line OP20/9 Pilbara Airspace Review. Feedback submitted by email will be considered but cannot be published publicly without consent.

Further information about airspace regulation and the airspace change process is available on the CASA website.

What happens next

Once the consultation has closed, we will:

  • review all comments received
  • make responses publicly available on the consultation hub (unless you request your submission remain confidential)
  • publish a summary of the feedback received and outline next steps.

We will also publish the final report on our website, incorporating, where appropriate, feedback received on the draft airspace review.

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 rule making mailing list.

Audiences

  • CASA Staff
  • Aerodrome operator
  • Air operators
  • Pilots
  • Air traffic controller(s)
  • Drone operators
  • Traveling public/passengers
  • Air traffic service provider
  • Part 173 of CASR Certified/Authorised Instrument Flight Procedure Designer Aerodrome
  • Part 175 of CASR Aeronautical information service providers
  • Operations Control/Flight Dispatch
  • Certified aerodrome owner/operator
  • Unregulated aerodrome owner/operator
  • Aerodrome owner/operators
  • CASA aerodrome inspector
  • Aerodrome industry consultant
  • Aircraft owner/operator
  • Holder of RPAS remotely piloted aircraft operator’s certificate (ReOC)
  • Holder of RPAS and remote pilot licence (RePL)
  • Air transport operations – rotorcraft (Part 133)
  • Commercial drone operator
  • Recreational drone flyer

Interests

  • Airspace and infrastructure