RAAus access to class C and D airspace.

[Blueadventures]

22 minutes ago, BrendAn said:

won't the new class 5 do it.

I don't know the answer but can the SAAA owner built aircraft fly CTA on class 5 medicals; I guess they are allowed.  RAAus should get there sometime with RAA instructor signed off endorsements.

[aro]

30 minutes ago, BrendAn said:

we already know about that.  it does not change the fact that rpc holders can't enter controlled airspace

Is it the form that's the problem, or the flight review? (Presumably you already do flight reviews)

 

This is what I can't figure out - exactly what you are asking for.

 

No form?

No training?

No requirement for transponder etc?

No medical requirements?

 

Can you be explicit about what you actually want?

 

Having observed RA-Aus over many years, I would expect them to add their own requirements in excess of what CASA require for RPL...

[Thruster88]

Operational limitations for class 5 medical.

Operational limitations include:

• Private operations only.
• Aircraft certificated maximum take-off weight must be 2000 kg or less.
• Must only operate under the visual flight rules (day VFR) by day (no IFR, no IMC, no night VFR).
• Must not operate above 10,000 feet above mean sea level.
• Must have no more than 2 persons on board.
• Must not use a CASR Part 61 operational rating. For example, instructor rating or low-level rating. For a complete list, refer to the definitions in CASR 61.010.
• Must not conduct aerobatics or formation flying.
• Must operate wholly within Australian territory.

Pilots can access controlled and non-controlled airspace.

[Blueadventures]

Depending on how RAAus goes I might go the SAAA way; there is a Nynja with them already and have had lengthy positive discussions with one of their top maintenance people about what they can offer now and what's on the horizon maintenance qual wise and its sounds well organised. It's on my list to decide soon about becoming a member and doing some of their courses.  I'll retain my RAAus membership either way.

Edited August 19, 2024 by Blueadventures

[BrendAn]

31 minutes ago, aro said:

Is it the form that's the problem, or the flight review? (Presumably you already do flight reviews)

 

This is what I can't figure out - exactly what you are asking for.

 

No form?

No training?

No requirement for transponder etc?

No medical requirements?

 

Can you be explicit about what you actually want?

 

Having observed RA-Aus over many years, I would expect them to add their own requirements in excess of what CASA require for RPL...

i don't care about any of that. all i have said is raaus are trying to gain access to controlled airspace. with an rpc not an rpl. i don't have any intention of flying in controlled airspace so it does not concern me.  go back to the first post and read what the thread was about.

[BrendAn]

27 minutes ago, Blueadventures said:

Depending on how RAAus goes I might go the SAAA way; there is a Nynja with them already and have had lengthy positive discussions with one of their top maintenance people about what they can offer now and what's on the horizon maintenance qual wise and its sounds well organised. It's on my list to decide soon about becoming a member and doing some of their courses.  I'll retain my RAAus membership either way.

i know raaus get bagged a lot on here, i am guilty too, but the other day i had a discussion with darren barnfield about an engine change and other stuff on a tornado and he could not have been more helpful, i thought it was great that the head of raaus tech took the time to answer all my questions . for all their faults i can say the people i have dealt with so far have been great. this rant is nothing to do with your post , you just reminded me of a good experience with raaus.

[Blueadventures]

2 minutes ago, BrendAn said:

i know raaus get bagged a lot on here, i am guilty too, but the other day i had a discussion with darren barnfield about an engine change and other stuff on a tornado and he could not have been more helpful, i thought it was great that the head of raaus tech took the time to answer all my questions . for all their faults i can say the people i have dealt with so far have been great. this rant is nothing to do with your post , you just reminded me of a good experience with raaus.

Agree only had good discussion with the staff and tech; they are on track to have things correct.  If I was running the show I'd ask for a copy of log book entry for the most recent annual entry at rego renewal and condition report for change of ownership as that would allow one method of reviewing the aircrafts condition to some positive extent.

[WIngsWithoutBarriers]

The Editor for sports pilot did mention in a letter to the editor section that controlled airspace access will be the next big focus after class G. It could be a few more years of waiting though. 

[coljones]

Any rumours? Class G airspace in the Sydney Basin above 1000' will disappear over the next couple of months leaving Victor 1 (overwater) as the only north-south transit.

[facthunter]

Could easily be the CASE.   Nev.

[BurnieM]

2 hours ago, coljones said:

Any rumours? Class G airspace in the Sydney Basin above 1000' will disappear over the next couple of months leaving Victor 1 (overwater) as the only north-south transit.

Its coming (like Christmas).

None of the 'explanations' for the delay make sense to me.

 

If you really need it then you are probably better off converting to RPL and getting the controlled airspace endorsement at a GA school.

 

[Garfly]

 

 

2 hours ago, coljones said:

Any rumours? Class G airspace in the Sydney Basin above 1000' will disappear over the next couple of months leaving Victor 1 (overwater) as the only north-south transit.

 

 

Yeah, good question.  It also bears on the soon-to-come Controlled Airspace regime at (and near) Ballina, about which RAAus sent out an email notice this morning (without, however, explanation or comment regarding how it'll affect RAAus ops, in and through the area.)  There's heaps of info about the new arrangements online from Airservices in various elaborate formats (they seem very keen to demonstrate community engagement) but I couldn't find much about what it's going to mean for RAAus flyers, local and otherwise. Maybe it is written somewhere.  Maybe someone on here knows.  In any case, maybe we'll find out as a result of the public meetings they've advertised for next week.  Meanwhile,  I've written to Airservices asking directly.  I'll re-post any reply here if we've not been enlightened beforehand. 

 

I'm guessing that much of the anxiety that's led to these changes originated with the near miss involving a Jab and an Airbus back in 2020.  

 

Separation occurrence involving Airbus A320-232, VH-VGP and Jabiru J230D, 24-7456, near Ballina Byron Gateway Airport, New South Wales, on 28 November 2020 | ATSB

WWW.ATSB.GOV.AU

 

 

 

 

RAAus email-out, May 1  2026: 

 

 

Civil Aviation Safety Authority is holding information sessions to discuss the upcoming changes to Ballina airspace. These sessions will cover the changes airspace as well as the soon to be released Gold Coast VTC. A CASA Safety Advisor will be joined by representatives from the Office of Airspace Regulation (OAR), as well as Airservices Staff including the tower supervisor and air traffic controllers who will be based at Ballina.     CASA’s AvSafety advisors will be heading to your community to deliver our latest safety seminar for pilots of all licence categories:

Time & Locations Below: Monday 4 May - Ballina  – 6pm, White Star Aviation Ballina Airport. Tuesday 5 May - South Grafton  – 10am, Clubhouse with Peter Clements Wednesday 6 May - Lismore – 2pm, Northern Rivers Aero Club Thursday 7 May - *Murwillumbah – 7pm, Murwillumbah Aero Club *This is also a pilot safety seminar on decision making. (Registrations are required for this event, details below. Tickets are free.)

[Garfly]

On 01/05/2026 at 3:50 PM, Garfly said:

 

" ...  (it) bears on the soon-to-come Controlled Airspace regime at (and near) Ballina, about which RAAus sent out an email notice this morning (without, however, explanation or comment regarding how it'll affect RAAus ops, in and through the area.)

... meanwhile,  I've written to Airservices asking directly.  I'll re-post any reply here if we've not been enlightened beforehand. 

 

 

RAAus email-out, May 1  2026: 

 

 

 

I did get a response from ASA/CASA which seems to confirm that the CTA endo for RAAus is not far off.  

 

 

EMAIL I SENT TO ASA: (sent on to CASA for a reply)

 

 

Dear Airservices, 

I’ve spent lots of time digging my way through an avalanche of (beautifully produced) online information regarding the imminent Ballina changes but can’t seem to find an answer to the question that must be on many stakeholders' lips: what, if any, arrangements have been put in place for VFR pilots (esp. without a CTA endo) to use, or even transit, YBNA and environs in the future (particularly during the vast majority of CAVOK daylight hours when nary an RPT is within cooee)?  From the information that is out there, it seems the designers have been sensitive to the issue and keen on coming up with safe and practical work-arounds.  So I’m a bit curious why this elephant-in-the-room still seems somewhat under wraps. Or maybe I just haven’t clicked hard enough or far enough.  ;- )

 

 

RESPONSE FROM CASA  MAY 28:

 

"Thanks for sending your query through. When Ballina control zone and associated class D airspace is active, pilots will require controlled airspace endorsements to enter these areas. This also includes entry into the overlaying class C airspace. Check ERSA, AIP SUPPS and NOTAMS for Ballina procedures including TWR hours of operation, and the current charts for the airspace boundaries.

 

Currently RaAus have revised manuals in with CASA being assessed to provide training for Controlled Airspace endorsements in the future to their members. Once the manuals have been approved RaAus will communicate the process to gain this endorsement.

 

If you are wishing to gain the controlled airspace endorsement, I encourage you to consult our VFRG and the AIP, especially aircraft equipment requirements, weather minimums and radio procedures in controlled airspace, prior to commencing a controlled airspace endorsement course. CASA do have a range of general resources, podcasts and webinars which you may find helpful in in the CASA Pilot Safety Hub part of the website."

 

Aviation Safety Advisor

Industry and Government Engagement

CASA\Stakeholder Engagement Division

 

 

 

 

 

Edited 7 hours ago by Garfly

[Garfly]

 

 

It'd be nice to see a final update from CASA in the same friendly tone - and level of detail - as this consultation from last year. 

 

Ballina controlled airspace - preferred design - Civil Aviation Safety Authority - Citizen Space

CONSULTATION.CASA.GOV.AU

---

Find and participate in consultations run by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority

 

Anyway, I guess all will be revealed in a week or two.

 

 

 

[Reynard]

Thanks Garfly,

Watching/waiting with interest for access to the greater Sydney basin, Williamtown coastal, Coffs Harbour, Ballina, etc, etc.

Once RA Aus receives approval from CASA, they will then need to roll out the training package to instructors, and then for the instructors to deliver and sign off the endos to prospective pilots. I suspect all of that could take some time.

 

is it a safe assumption that all current RAAus instructors already have CTA (current) experience and can sign off an endo ? Just like a PPL will an endo require an entry to Class D and C airspace ? That’ll be more fun for the tower lads and ladies at Canberra et al, even more than the current stream of student PPLs making their first pilgrimage from Bankstown!

 

Lots of questions…….patience is a virtue !

[BurnieM]

My old instructor has a PPL so already has CTR.

His fellow instructor (over 3000 hrs) only has RPC so will need to do the course before he can teach it.

 

While they knew it was coming they have not seen any drafts.

 

Edited 3 hours ago by BurnieM