CHAPTER 15 AIR TRAFFIC SERVICES — PRESCRIBED REQUIREMENTS
Division 15.1 Use of a class of airspace
15.01 Purpose
For subregulation 131.353 (1), this Division prescribes requirements in relation to the use by a Part 131 aircraft of a class of airspace or a portion of a class of airspace.
15.02 Transition altitude, transition layer and transition level
(1) This section applies to a flight using any class of airspace, whether controlled or uncontrolled, that is within an Australian FIR.
(2) The transition altitude is 10 000 ft.
(3) The transition level is as set out in Table 15.02 (3), so that for an area QNH mentioned in an item of column 1, the transition level is that mentioned in the same item of column 2.
Table 15.02 (3) — Transition level
Column 1
Column 2
Item
Area QNH
Transition level
1
Equal to, or greater than, 1 013.2 hPa
FL110
2
At least 997 hPa but less than 1 013.2 hPa
FL115
3
At least 980 hPa but less than 997 hPa
FL120
4
At least 963 hPa but less than 980 hPa
FL125
5
Less than 963 hPa
FL130
Note The intention is to retain a minimum buffer of 1 000 ft above the transition altitude.
(4) The pilot in command must not cruise or drift within the transition layer.
(5) For an operation at or below the transition altitude, the pilot in command must use the following altimeter setting:
(a) the current local QNH (either an accurate QNH as defined in section 14.04 or a forecast QNH) of a station along the route within 100 NM of the aircraft;
(b) if the current local QNH is not known — the current area forecast QNH.
(6) For an operation above the transition altitude, the pilot in command must use an altimeter setting of 1 013.2 hPa.
(7) On climb, the pilot in command must change between QNH and 1 013.2 hPa after passing 10 000 ft and before levelling off.
(8) On descent, the pilot in command must change between 1 013.2 hPa and the QNH before entering the transition layer.
15.03 Australian domestic airspace — inoperative radio requirements
(1) This section applies to a flight of a Part 131 aircraft within any class of airspace, whether controlled or uncontrolled, that is within an Australian FIR and is not specified in the AIP as an oceanic control area.
Note At the commencement of this instrument, the AIP document specifying the geographic boundaries of oceanic control areas is the Designated Airspace Handbook.
(2) If the radiocommunication system becomes inoperative during an operation in any Australian domestic airspace, the pilot in command must do the following:
(a) if operating in Class E or G airspace:
(i) select code 7600 on the aircraft transponder (if fitted); and
(ii) remain outside controlled airspace; and
(iii) assume the radiocommunication system is functioning and broadcast position and intentions on the frequency appropriate to the area of operation; and
(iv) as soon as practicable, descend below 5 000 ft to continue flight under the VFR;
(b) if operating in Class A, B, C or D airspace or in a restricted area:
(i) select code 7600 on the aircraft transponder (if fitted); and
(ii) assume the radiocommunication system is functioning and broadcast position and intentions on the frequency prescribed in the authorised aeronautical information; and
(iii) attempt to contact ATS by telephone; and
(iv) commence descent in preparation for landing; and
(v) land as soon as practicable.
Note See subsection 26.23 (7) for requirements relating to Mode A transponder emergency codes.
15.04 Mandatory broadcast area requirements
(1) This section applies to the pilot in command of a flight in an MBA mentioned in subsection (2).
(2) A volume of Class G airspace within the Australian FIR is an MBA if it is so specified in the AIP, as in force from time to time.
Note 1 At the commencement of this instrument, the AIP specifies which broadcast areas are mandatory broadcast areas and also the lateral and vertical boundaries of each MBA.
Note 2 This section contains MBA requirements other than those for the specific radio broadcasts or reports required to be made in relation to an MBA, or the radio carriage or fitment requirements for flight within an MBA. Radio broadcast and report requirements for an MBA are contained in section 16.06. Radio carriage or fitment requirements for an MBA are contained in section 26.07.
(3) For an MBA mentioned in an item of column 1 of Table 15.04 (3), the pilot in command must comply with the requirements mentioned in column 2 of the same item.
Table 15.04 (3) — Mandatory broadcast area requirements
Column 1
Column 2
Item
Mandatory broadcast area
Requirements
1
Ayers Rock MBA
Nil
2
Ballina/Byron Gateway MBA
When an SFIS is active for this MBA, operations in the MBA, or immediately before entering the MBA, must be conducted in accordance with the AIP
3
Port Hedland MBA
Nil
Division 15.2 Control zones, control areas, controlled aerodromes and classes of airspace
15.05 Purpose
For subregulation 131.353 (1), this Division prescribes requirements in relation to the use by a Part 131 aircraft of a control zone, a control area, a controlled aerodrome or a class of airspace.
15.06 Controlled aerodromes
(1) A Part 131 aircraft must not be operated at a controlled aerodrome unless the pilot in command holds 1 of the following:
(a) a current commercial pilot (balloon) licence;
(c) an authorisation (however described) that is issued by a relevant Part 131 ASAO to the pilot in command to operate a Part 131 aircraft at a controlled aerodrome.
Note 1 Under the Part 149 MOS, a relevant ASAO must have the approved aviation administration function of issuing pilot authorisations that include the privileges of operating in controlled airspace or at controlled aerodromes.
Note 2 A similar kind of authorisation is mentioned in paragraph 15.08 (1) (c). Nothing in this MOS requires the 2 kinds of authorisations to be separately issued to pilots by an ASAO. An ASAO could issue a combined authorisation covering both circumstances.
(2) Part 131 aircraft operations at a controlled aerodrome must be conducted in accordance with the authorised aeronautical information.
(3) Subject to subsection (5), the pilot in command of a Part 131 aircraft operating at a controlled aerodrome must obtain ATC clearance to take-off or land.
(4) Subject to subsection (5), the pilot in command of a Part 131 aircraft that is, or is about to become, part of aerodrome traffic at a controlled aerodrome must:
(a) maintain a watch for instructions given visually by the ATC service for the aerodrome using standard visual signals; and
Note Standard visual signals are described in Division 2.3 of the Part 91 MOS.
(b) if a continuous listening watch for communications with ATC for the aerodrome can be maintained on the frequency specified in the authorised aeronautical information for the flight — maintain such a watch.
(5) Subsections (3) and (4) do not apply when an ATC service is not in operation for the aerodrome.
15.07 Control zones and areas — entry into Class A, B, C or D airspace
(1) Subject to subsections (2) and (3), a pilot in command of a Part 131 aircraft must not enter a control zone or a control area that is Class A, B, C or D airspace without ATC clearance (a clearance).
(2) Despite subsection (1), VFR flights do not require clearance to enter Class E airspace.
(3) Subsection (1) does not apply when an ATC service is not in operation for a control zone or a control area.
15.08 Control zones and control areas — operating within
(1) A Part 131 aircraft must not be operated within a control zone or a control area unless the pilot in command holds 1 of the following:
(a) a current commercial pilot (balloon) licence;
(c) an authorisation (however described) that is issued by a relevant Part 131 ASAO to the pilot in command to operate a Part 131 aircraft within a control zone or a control area.
Note 1 Under the Part 149 MOS, a relevant ASAO must have the approved aviation administration function of issuing pilot authorisations that include the privileges of operating in controlled airspace or at controlled aerodromes.
Note 2 A similar kind of authorisation is mentioned in paragraph 15.06 (1) (c). Nothing in this MOS requires the 2 kinds of authorisations to be separately issued to pilots by an ASAO. An ASAO could issue a combined authorisation covering both circumstances.
(2) Part 131 aircraft operations in a control zone or a control area must be conducted in accordance with the authorised aeronautical information.
(3) The pilot in command of a Part 131 aircraft operating in a control zone or a control area must:
(a) notify ATC of any deviation from an ATC clearance (a clearance) given under section 15.07; and
(b) take positive action to comply with the clearance as soon as a deviation is recognised.
Note Regulation 91.257 also applies to a Part 131 aircraft.
15.09 Readback of ATC clearances and instructions
(1) This section applies to the pilot in command of a Part 131 aircraft in relation to the use by the aircraft of a control zone, a control area, or a controlled aerodrome.
(2) The pilot in command must ensure that they personally, or another member of the flight crew (if any), read back to an air traffic controller the safety-related parts of any ATC clearance or instruction which the controller has transmitted by voice (a relevant ATC clearance or instruction).
(3) Without affecting subsection (2), the following parts of a relevant ATC clearance or instruction must always be read back to the air traffic controller:
(a) ATC route clearances, including any amendments;
Note ATC route clearances include departure, en route, arrival and approach clearances.
(b) clearances, conditional clearances and instructions to wait, take off from, or land;
(c) the assigned altimeter settings, Mode A transponder codes, altitude instructions, operating area instructions;
(d) radio frequency instructions.
Division 15.3 Prohibited, restricted and danger areas
15.10 Purpose
For paragraphs 131.353 (1) (a), (b) and (c), respectively, this Division prescribes requirements in relation to the use by an aircraft of a prohibited area, a restricted area or a danger area.
15.11 Prohibited areas
Note For prohibited areas, see CASA’s OAR 6-monthly Declarations and Directions in relation to Prohibited, Restricted and Danger Areas, Etc – Permanent Instrument and the relevant Designated Airspace Handbooks, as each exists, or is in force, from time to time. Entry or flight in a prohibited area is an offence under regulations 6, 15 and 16 of the Airspace Regulations 2007 and regulation 91.260 of Part 91 of CASR.
15.12 Restricted areas
Note For restricted areas, see CASA’s OAR 6-monthly Declarations and Directions in relation to Prohibited, Restricted and Danger Areas, Etc. – Permanent Instrument and the relevant Designated Airspace Handbooks, as each exists, or is in force, from time to time. Unauthorised entry or flight in an active restricted area is an offence under regulations 6, 15 and 16 of the Airspace Regulations 2007 and regulation 91.260 of Part 91 of CASR.
15.13 Danger areas
The pilot in command of a Part 131 aircraft may fly within or across a danger area provided that:
(a) before the flight, the pilot in command is demonstrably aware of the specific activity which causes the area to be a danger area; and
(b) before and during the flight, the pilot in command takes appropriate precautions against any safety risks that could arise from the flight.
Note For danger areas, see CASA’s OAR 6-monthly Declarations and Directions in relation to Prohibited, Restricted and Danger Areas, Etc. – Permanent Instrument and the relevant Designated Airspace Handbooks, as each exists, or is in force, from time to time. It is an offence under subregulation 131.353 (2) to not comply with the section 15.13 requirements for a danger area.