Airservices leads world first network-wide implementation of Airport Collaborative Decision Making (A-CDM) Airservices has partnered with Saab Sensis Corporation, a US defence and security company, to deliver an A-CDM solution in Australia. Airservices is working alongside our airline and airport partners to lead the implementation of A-CDM at Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth airports. Airservices…

Flights in oceanic areas are unable to be tracked using traditional radar as this form of surveillance relies on ground-based sites. Since June 2015 all flights across the Pacific Ocean between Australia, New Zealand and the United States are being more frequently tracked by air traffic controllers using existing satellite-based communications equipment called Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Contract (ADS-C). Aircraft are now…

Airservices is committed to reducing the environmental impact of aviation. We do this by providing airlines and operators with options for continuous descent approaches, flexible flight tracks (Flextracks) and special air traffic procedures that all have positive effects towards reducing emissions. Continuous descent approaches Air traffic control assist aircraft to make safe and efficient descents to their destination airport by using…

The General Aviation Option (GAO) is a simplified payment method that provides eligible customers with the opportunity of taking up a discount on Airservices charges. Who is eligible? Do you operate an aircraft under 5.7 tonnes? Has this aircraft completed flights/movements which would normally incur Airservices charges between during calculation period (see information information below)?…

Airservices Australia hosts safety forums throughout the year as part of an ongoing education program to improve pilot familiarity with metropolitan Class D operations and procedures. This page provides pilots and instructors operating within Class D airports with further information about the program sessions and how they can get involved. We have also included access…

Civil Aviation Safety Regulation Part 175 – Airservices and You Civil Aviation Safety Regulation Part 175 (CASR Part 175) under the Civil Aviation Act 1988 came into effect on 5 March 2015. This regulation establishes standards and legislative requirements for the quality and integrity of data and information used in air navigation. Specifically, information published…

CASA Class 3 Medical You will be required to obtain a Class 3 Medical Certificate in accordance with medical standards specified by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) to work as a controller. Please read Regulation 67.160 of Part 67 of the CASRs before lodging your application through . If you have any doubt about…

Airspace is assigned into categories which determine the level of service provided. In Australia, these range from Class A (typically en route, high level airspace) to Class G (uncontrolled airspace predominantly used by light aircraft). More information on classes of airspace is available. The service provided by air traffic controllers depends on the class of…

In Australia, there are two major types of airspace: controlled, and uncontrolled.  Controlled airspace in Australia is actively monitored and managed by air traffic controllers. To enter controlled airspace, an aircraft must first gain a clearance from an air traffic controller. Uncontrolled airspace has no supervision by air traffic control so no clearance is required…

Separation standards refer to the minimum distance apart that aircraft operating in controlled airspace and at airports with an operational control tower must be kept. These are outlined in the Manual of Standards for Air Traffic Services and our air traffic controllers use them to safely manage air traffic. Different separation standards apply to aircraft…

Australia’s aviation industry relies on Airservices for the provision and maintenance of air navigation technology and equipment critical to aviation safety at regional and major airports, aerodromes and airstrips. Below are a few of the critical navigation aids that controllers use every day to keep Australian skies safe. Automatic Dependent Surveillance Broadcast Automatic Dependent Surveillance Broadcast (ADS-B)…

Weather can significantly affect aircraft operations. Low cloud, fog and rain may impede visibility at or around an airport while thunderstorms and lightning can cause serious disruption to flight schedules. Thunderstorms, and the rapidly rising or falling air currents which usually accompany them, can make air travel uncomfortable for passengers and difficult for pilots in…

It can be difficult for passengers or the public to have an accurate picture or understanding of an incident or activity and Airservices regularly receives calls on ‘irregular’ activities at airports. Examples of activity that the public may consider unusual or cause concern, but are part of normal operations, are listed here. Ultimately, the pilot…

Sydney Airport Independent Visual Approaches (IVAs) Sydney airport operates two parallel runways which are closely spaced at 1,037m apart.   Through using a procedure called Independent Visual Approaches (or IVA’s), two aircraft can be on adjacent final approaches at the same time. This allows for more efficient use of the runways so that more flights…