Airspace

Question 1

Class A

Answer 1

This high-level en route controlled airspace is used predominately by commercial and passenger jets. Only IFR flights are permitted and they require an ATC clearance. All flights are provided with an air traffic control service and are positively separated from each other.

Question 2

Class B

Answer 2

Not in Oz :)

Question 3

Class C

Answer 3

This is the controlled airspace surrounding major airports. Both IFR and VFR flights are permitted and must communicate with air traffic control.
IFR aircraft are positively separated from both IFR and VFR aircraft.
VFR aircraft are provided traffic information on other VFR aircraft

Question 4

Class D

Class D Qantas

Answer 4

This is the controlled airspace that surrounds general aviation and regional airports equipped with a control tower.
All flights require ATC clearance.

15.5

In Classes D and E airspace, the use of IFR Pickup, VFR Climb/Descent and VFR On Top procedures are not permitted.

AIP

2.4.1.2 At Class D aerodromes, pilots must include the following information when reporting ready:

a. The departure runway when parallel runway operations are in

progress;

b. Their intentions when operating wholly within a Class D CTR; and

c. Their tracking details when departing the Class D CTR and not in receipt of an airways clearance

Question 5

Class E

Qantas E policy

What traffic separation is supplied Class E?

Answer 5

This mid-level en route controlled airspace is open to both IFR and VFR aircraft. IFR flights are required to communicate with ATC and must request ATC clearance.

15.5

Cruise in Class E airspace should only be considered when flight in Class A or Class C airspace is deemed operationally unsuitable.

In Classes D and E airspace, the use of IFR Pickup, VFR Climb/Descent and VFR On Top procedures are not permitted.

IFR from IFR separation only.
But you should get ATC service and traffc information about known VFR fights
as far as practicable…

Within continental Australia outside radar coverage above FL180 where
Class A base is FL245 (Continental)

Within radar coverage in specifc locations or corridors under Class C or
Class A airspace. Generally base 8500 ft AMS
Surrounding or overlying some CTR
Some low-level terminal airspace when the associated TWR is closed

From AIP

3.1 ATC Traffic Services

3.1.1 In Class E airspace, IFR and VFR flights are permitted. IFR flights are provided with an ATC service, are separated from other IFR flights, and receive traffic information on VFR flights as far as is practicable. VFR flights receive a Surveillance Information Service (SIS), where available, on request.

3.1.2 Traffic information services provided by ATC do not relieve pilots of their responsibilities for continued vigilance to see-and-avoid other aircraft.

3.1.3 When vectors are provided to IFR flights in Class E airspace, terrain clearance will be provided by ATC. However, in VMC by day, pilots may be assigned responsibility for terrain clearance by use of the phrase “DESCEND TO (level) / CLIMB TO (level)/ TURN RIGHT / TURN LEFT (degrees) VISUAL”.

3.1.4 In Class E airspace, the following also apply:

a. Hazard Alerts will be directed to pilots of IFR flights, and to

pilots of known VFR flights.

b. Unless operationally required by a pilot, ATC will only assign IFR levels

Civil IFR flights will not be allocated block levels in Class E airspace.

Question 6

Class G

Qantas G policy

Answer 6

This airspace is uncontrolled. Both IFR and VFR aircraft are permitted and neither require ATC clearance.

15.5

For operations TO non-controlled airports, flight is permitted through Class G airspace.

Descent and approaches should only be conducted in Class G airspace when no alternatives are available.

Flight through oceanic Class G airspace, and other areas of uncontrolled airspace approved by Fleet Operations is permitted when operationally required.

Question 7

Can you depart without an IFR clearance?

Answer 7

15.5

A flight shall not depart unless an IFR flight plan has been received by air traffic control.

Question 8

Contingency procedures for deactivated airspace?
Preflight and Inflight considerations.

Answer 8

Flight Operations policy is to avoid deactivated airspace where possible by planning around affected areas or delaying aircraft either on the ground or in the air to avoid entering the airspace during the time of deactivation.

Note:
Deactivation in this sense does not relate to non-continuous Class C and Class D Towers reverting to CTAF(R) outside published hours of operation.
If controlled airspace is notified to be deactivated the following applies:

Preflight

For Australian airspace only, flights may be planned to enter and operate in deactivated controlled airspace when risk assessed by Flight Operations and specifically authorised by FSO. Any other variation requires approval from the Chief Pilot or Head of Fleet Operations (HOFO).

Inflight

If airborne when advised airspace through which a flight has been planned has been deactivated, the flight may continue to fly through such airspace if it is unable to divert (Pilot In Command decision) to another route in Control Area (CTA) that is not deactivated.

Question 9

Difference in IFR separation C an D

Answer 9

IFR from IFR
IFR from Spec VFR
IFR from VFR only in C, In D IFR aircraft receive info on VFR only

Question 10

Class D speed restrictions

Answer 10

250 KIAS max (unless the pilot informs ATC that a higher minimum speed is required for safety reasons)
200 KIAS max within 4 nm and 2500 ft AAL, (except with ATC approval)

Question 11

Parallel Runway Operations at Class D Aerodromes?

Answer 11

Where a Class D aerodrome is equipped with parallel runways, ATC may sequence aircraft for simultaneous contra-circuits and may conduct these operations using separate Tower frequencies for each runway. Operations will be regulated independently in each circuit, with an ATC clearance required to enter the opposite circuit or airspace

Question 12

Parallel Runway Operations at Class D Aerodromes?

ntk

Answer 12

Where a Class D aerodrome is equipped with parallel runways, ATC may sequence aircraft for simultaneous contra-circuits and may conduct these operations using separate Tower frequencies for each runway. Operations will be regulated independently in each circuit, with an ATC clearance required to enter the opposite circuit or airspace

Question 13

VFR Flights in Class E Airspace

ntk

Answer 13

3.2 VFR Flights in Class E Airspace

3.2.1 VFR flights entering Class E airspace do not require a clearance, but may receive a Surveillance Information Service (SIS), where available, on request (see GEN 3.3 section 3.3).

3.2.2 VFR flights entering and operating in Class E airspace should:

a. avoid published IFR routes, where possible;

b. monitor the appropriate Class E frequency and announce if in potential conflict; and

c. take appropriate action to avoid potential conflict.

3.2.3 Pilots of VFR flights should avoid IFR holding patterns

Question 14

Where an instrument approach results in the aircraft leaving controlled airspace…

Answer 14

AIP ENR

2.11.2.4 Where an instrument approach results in the aircraft leaving controlled airspace, the clearance for the approach also provides clearance for the aircraft to re-enter overlying controlled airspace, Restricted or Military Operating Area in the event of a missed approach. ATC should be advised as soon as possible on the missed approach

Question 15

TIBA frequency

Answer 15

Question 16

TIBA listening watch requirements?

Answer 16

A listening watch must be maintained on the TIBA frequency 10 minutes before entering the designated airspace until leaving this airspace. For an aircraft taking off from an aerodrome located within 10 minutes flying time of that airspace, listening watch must start as soon as practicable after takeoff

Question 17

When are TIBA broadcasts to be made?

Answer 17

Broadcasts must be made:

a. 10 minutes before entering the designated airspace or, for an

aircraft taking off from an aerodrome located with 10 minutes

flying time of the airspace, as soon as practicable after

takeoff;

b. 10 minutes prior to crossing a reporting point;

c. 10 minutes prior to crossing or joining an ATS contingency route;

d. at 20-minute intervals between distant reporting points;

e. 2 to 5 minutes, where possible, before a change in flight level;

f. at the time of a change in flight level; and

g. at any other time considered necessary by the pilot

11.7.1 Normal position reporting procedures should be continued at all times, regardless of any action taken to initiate or acknowledge a traffic information broadcast.

11.7.2 A position report must be made on the next CTA/Area VHF 15 minutes prior to leaving airspace in which TIBA procedures apply to obtain a clearance or re-establish SARWATCH on the appropriate ATS frequency

Question 18

1.1.7.1 When airspaces adjoin vertically (one above the other), flight at the common level must comply with the requirements of and will be provided the services applicable to:

Answer 18

the less restrictive class of airspace.

Also consider:

1.1.7.2 Where a non-continuous airspace vertically adjoins controlled airspace (one above the other), the common level between airspaces becomes part of controlled airspace upon activation and is subject to an ATC clearance