Draft Ballina airspace review

If an ADS-D ground station is installed, SAFA aircraft (paragliders/hang gliders) will be observable if they are fitted with a portable self-contained ADS-B electronic conspicuity (EC) device. This would decrease the risk of airspace conflict. The installation of an ADS-B ground station would assist in increasing the coverage of this service. Increasingly, instruments used by sport aviation pilots and applications running on mobile devices are able to display aircraft position data from multiple sources, including ADS-B transmissions. With the increased presence of ADS-B EC devices, increased and enhanced alerted see-and-avoid capability is available.

A comprehensive financial assistance scheme to assist all airspace users to purchase ADS-B EC devices would greatly enhance situational awareness for all pilots. The currently proposed rebate eliminates the majority of our pilots from access to this scheme and represents a lost opportunity for safety in aviation.

Not applicable to our operations.

Not applicable to our operations.

Where that information is available (e.g. ADS-B EC device data), it would improve situational awareness for all airspace users.

Improved situational awareness. But please note that our aircraft operate within the conditions specified in CASA EX123/21.

Not applicable to our operations.

Not applicable to our operations.

Currently, SAFA aircraft operate within the YBNA MBA using two methods:

1. SAFA aircraft operate at Lennox Head and Numulgi, not above 400ft AGL IAW CASA EX123/21, or

2. For transit and within the BA, as well as, within the YLIS/YCAS/YEVD CTAF areas, using standard non-controlled airspace broadcast procedures.

Members of SAFA and NRHGPG Club request that the status quo of operational procedures and restrictions be retained for any increase in airspace classification for the YBNA MBA. This may involve an exemption to CAO 95.8 (sub-regulation 10.4) for transit operations.

Members of SAFA have demonstrated complete compliance with CASA EX123/21, as well as the standard non-controlled broadcast requirements within MBA and CTAF areas.

To my knowledge, there have been no recorded incidents of traffic conflict between SAFA aircraft and other IFR/VFR aircraft within the YBNA MBA.

Currently, there are no RPT arrivals) departures from/to the north of YBNA. Due to this, and the operational restriction on the club/members transiting the proposed Class D airspace to the north of YBNA, the Club/members propose that the Class D airspace be amended to be south of a direct line from BBAY to YLIS.

This approximately follows the line of the Lismore Bangalow Rd and would serve as a reliable landmark in order to allow VFR pilots to avoid the proposed Class D airspace. This would also allow members of NRHGPG Club to transit to the west from the club sites north of Bangalow outside of the proposed Class D airspace. An added benefit would be that RAAus pilots could also transit from YTYH to YLIS/YCAS OCTA.

This proposed modification would not increase the likelihood risk of a traffic conflict between RPT aircraft and NRHGPG Club aircraft.