Proposed change to Launceston airspace

Overview

The Office of Airspace Regulation (OAR) is seeking your feedback on a proposal to add an additional step north in the Launceston controlled airspace. This proposal is in accordance with a recommendation made during the 2021 Supplementary Review: Aircraft containment Launceston.

Background

In 2021 the OAR published the Supplementary Review as a result of the observation made during the 2019 Airspace Review of Launceston.

The Review recommended amendments to the Launceston airspace to ensure procedure containment and increase operational efficiencies for aircraft flying over Bass Strait and Flinders Island.

Proposal

The existing airspace has a controlled airspace step 30 DME to 45 DME which has a lower limit of 8,500 feet (ft) above mean sea level (AMSL). This proposal introduces a step from 30 DME to 36 DME with a lower limit of 6,500 ft AMSL.

The primary reason is to increase the aircraft efficiencies, particularly for aircraft on approach to runway 14 at Launceston. Currently aircraft arriving from over Bass Strait can experience considerable tail winds resulting in aircraft descending with these tailwinds. Pilots experience an increased workload reducing aircraft speed, maintaining an optimal descent profile while monitoring to remain in controlled airspace.

The introduction of the new step will:

• reduce cockpit workload
• increase aircraft efficiencies and benefits of continuous descent operations.

There are no changes to aircraft routes or procedures.

Documents

The documents for review are provided below. They are:

• the Supplementary Review: Aircraft containment Launceston February 2021
• a map of existing Launceston airspace
• a map of proposed change to Launceston airspace.

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

If you would like to provide further feedback, please email OAR@casa.gov.au. Feedback submitted by email will be considered and may later be publicly available unless you request your submission to remain confidential.

Why your views matter

Why we are consulting

We are seeking your feedback regarding the proposed change 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. 

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.