24 April Aviation Rescue and Firefighting Services (ARFFS) in Australia – Continuous Operation Under ICAO Remission Factor April 24, 2024 The Safety Bulletin, issued by AusALPA, addresses concerns over inadequate Aviation Rescue and Firefighting Services (ARFFS) at Australian international airports due to Airservices Australia's application of the ICAO Remission Factor during COVID-19. It stresses the need to maintain ICAO-mandated ARFFS levels, citing safety risks such as compromised emergency response. Recommendations include risk assessments, crew briefings, vigilance, and reporting. AusALPA calls for stakeholder collaboration to ensure proper Remission Factor use and safety protocol adherence, aiming to safeguard passengers, crews, and aircraft. Read more>> Related Posts Operations in Australian Traffic Information Broadcasts by Aircraft (TIBA) Airspace The Safety Bulletin 24SAB02, issued by AusALPA, informs pilots globally about the activation of Traffic Information Broadcasts by Aircraft (TIBA) airspace in Australia due to the COVID-19 pandemic's impact on Air Traffic Services (ATS). It emphasises pilots' responsibility for their safety in Class A, C, D, or E airspace without ATC services and raises concerns regarding the lack of standardised procedures and training for TIBA operations. The Bulletin advises pilots to avoid TIBA airspace when possible, collaborate closely with operators to minimise risks during transit, and submit safety reports for operations within TIBA airspace. Additionally, it provides examples of TIBA/TRA activation NOTAMs and contact information for inquiries, stressing the need for collaborative efforts to uphold flight safety standards in TIBA airspace amidst ATS unavailability. Read more>> Fatigue Management of Workload in Helicopter Operations This AusALPA Position Paper articulates the issues associated with an erroneous definition that causes one of the four scientific principles to effectively become unregulated for helicopter operations. The paper outlines the various reasons for this, the consequences of this and the reforms that should happen in order to rectify the issues. It is AusALPA's position that the current FCM fatigue management regulations require reform to rectify the absence of fatigue risk management of workload in rotary wing operations. We're seeking CASA to reestablish a fatigue management working group process and consultation that includes this topic area. Read more>> Accepting Penetrations of the Obstacle Limitation Surfaces at Australian Airports ICAO sets the standards for Obstacle Limitation Surfaces (OLS) in Chapter 4 of Annex 14, Volume 1 Aerodrome Design and Operations. ICAO prefaces the technical specification as follows: Read more>> Satellite Based Augmentation System – Benefits to Aviation Controlled Flight into Terrain (CFIT) on approach to landing is a leading source of fatal accidents worldwide. SBAS would provide a safer and more efficient operation for a considerable number of aircraft, including smaller RPT and charter, and General Aviation aircraft. Read more>> Rozelle Village Development The Sydney Morning Herald has reported that Airservices Australia has advised that the proposed residential towers to be erected on top of Balmain Leagues Club would infringe the airspace, as specified in the International Civil Aviation Organisation Procedures for Air Navigation Services - Aircraft Operations (ICAO PANS-OPS, Doc 8168)[2]. It is also understood that the building would also penetrate the Obstacle limitation Surfaces (OLS) by 24m.[7] AusALPA is strongly opposed to any development that infringes the safety zones established at or around airports, including the PANS-OPS surfaces. Read more>> Stop Bars AusALPA supports the installation and operational use of stop bars at Australian airports. The runway, at all entry or exit points, should be protected by an associated stop bar to mitigate the risk of a runway incursion. There is an overriding importance on procedural consistency which is paramount to maintaining the integrity of the runway. AusALPA encourages operators, regardless of size or type of operation, to educate their pilots accordingly with regards to stop bars. Read more>> Comments are closed.