Broadcast Area and discrete frequency for Tyagarah, Murwillumbah and the Gold Coast flying training area

Closed 3 Jun 2021

Opened 5 May 2021

Feedback updated 20 Sep 2021

We asked

The Office of Airspace Regulation (OAR) received an application from local stakeholders, proposing that a broadcast area and discrete frequency in the vicinity of Tyagarah, Murwillumbah and Gold Coast flying training area be established, intended to reduce frequency congestion.  

Aircraft are currently required to transmit on 126.7 MHz when operating within the vicinity of Tyagarah, Murwillumbah and within the Gold Coast flying training area, including danger area D656A-D. Aircraft operating from further afield are also required to transmit on 126.7, including the areas of:

  • Kagaru (Archerfield’s training area)
  • Morton Island
  • Grafton/South Grafton
  • Tenterfield, Stanthorpe
  • Inglewood
  • Pittsworth
  • Millmerran
  • Clifton
  • Gatton.

A mix of operations including parachute operations, recreational aircraft, gliders and gyrocopters operating from the Tyagarah aerodrome as well as circuit training at Murwillumbah is adding to the frequency congestion.

The OAR sought comments from stakeholders regarding this proposal.

You said

We received a total of 17 responses from airspace users operating within the vicinity of the proposed area. Twelve respondents consented to having their comments published, 5 did not give their consent.

Summary of feedback

All respondents agreed with the proposal however some modifications to the proposed area were suggested.

The common message in all responses was the improvement in safety that would be achieved by removing the proposed area from the already saturated frequency.

We did

Consideration was given to those suggestions however through consultation with the proponents of the change, and other stakeholders, the originally proposed area is to be adopted.

The proposal was submitted for and subsequently received approval and will be implemented as described in the consultation documents effective 2 December 2021 AIRAC cycle date.

Published responses

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

Overview

The Office of Airspace Regulation is proposing a Broadcast Area and discrete frequency in the vicinity of Tyagarah, Murwillumbah and Gold Coast flying training area. 

Background

Aircraft are currently required to transmit on 126.7 MHz when operating within the vicinity of Tyagarah, Murwillumbah and within the Gold Coast flying training area, including danger area D656A-D.

Aircraft operating from further afield are also required to transmit on 126.7, including Kagaru (Archerfield’s training area), Morton Island, Grafton/South Grafton, Tenterfield, Stanthorpe, Inglewood, Pittsworth, Millmerran, Clifton and Gatton areas.

A mix of operations including parachute operations, recreational aircraft, gliders and gyrocopters operating from the Tyagarah aerodrome as well as circuit training at Murwillumbah is adding to the frequency congestion.

Proposal

It is proposed that a discrete Common traffic advisory frequency (CTAF) be established around Tyagarah and Murwillumbah and the Gold Coast flying training area.

The broadcast area would include the Gold Coast flying training area, the Tyagarah and Murwillumbah CTAF, and D656A-D. The vertical dimensions of this area would be from the surface to the base of the controlled airspace.

Documents for review

A copy of the proposed area is provided below. 

If you would like to provide further feedback, please email OAR@casa.gov.au. Feedback submitted by email will be considered but cannot be published publicly. 

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

Why your views matter

Why we are consulting

We are seeking your feedback regarding the proposed CTAF and broadcast area and how it will impact your operations.  

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 the final report on our website.

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.

Audiences

  • Aerodrome operator
  • Flight instructors and flight examiners
  • Flight training operators
  • Pilots
  • Sport and recreation operators/clubs
  • Air traffic controller(s)
  • Part 173 of CASR Certified/Authorised Instrument Flight Procedure Designer Aerodrome
  • Aerodrome owner/operators

Interests

  • Airspace and infrastructure