12 July Accepting Penetrations of the Obstacle Limitation Surfaces at Australian Airports July 12, 2018 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>> Related Posts Managing The Risk of Building Generated Windshear and Turbulence at Airports This Position Paper sets out the views and recommendations of AusALPA in regard to managing the risk of building generated windshear and turbulence at Australian airports. Our position is consistent with IFALPA policy which seeks formal amendment of Chapten 4 of ICAO Annex 14 to require scientific assessment of the environmental consequences of building developments in the vicinity of operational flight paths. Read more>> 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>> 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>> Runway Centreline Lighting AusALPA believes that the visual navigation aid of Runway Centre Line Lights (RCLL) is an underutilised runway safety risk mitigation in the Australian context. Currently some Australian aerodromes serving air transport operations with instrument (approach) runways do not have RCLL installed when recommendations exist for such installation. Read more>> Aviation Rescue and Firefighting Services (ARFFS) in Australia – Continuous Operation Under ICAO Remission Factor 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>> 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.