CASA opened consultation last week on airspace operations around Horn Island off Queensland's Cape York Peninsula.
The review will assess the airspace for 40 nm around Horn Island, and aims to collect data for an airspace review.
"An airspace review of Horn Island was last conducted in 2017, with several changes implemented in the 18 months following the review," CASA's says. "We are also seeking feedback to determine whether these changes continue to be beneficial to airspace users.
"We are seeking feedback from current users of Horn Island airspace to understand issues faced by operators in this area."
According to CASA, the consultation presents airspace users around Horn Island with an opportunity to suggest improvements to increase safety and efficiency, and aims to:
- evaluate the effectiveness of changes made after the 2017 airspace review
- test reports of ineffective communication and aircraft deviating from operational standards and recommended practices
- analyse existing communication and surveillance facilities
- observe and record air traffic management practices
- identify existing traffic conflicts and discover potential risk mitigators
- develop a holistic strategy to reduce any risk to airspace users.
CASA's Office of Airspace Regulation (OAR) found during the 2017 airspace review that the airspace around Horn Island was generally fit for purpose, but made some recommendations to improve operations including:
- publishing a VTC by November 2018
- including Coconut Island on the ERC-L
- creating an airspace users forum
- building a taxiway parallel to runway 08/26
- relocating the AWIS to improve range.
Consultation will remain open until 22 June, after which CASA will review all comments and publish a summary of feedback including the next steps.
Feedback to the review can be submitted on the CASA Consultation Hub website.