RAAus access to class C and D airspace.

[jackc]

On 9/7/2026 at 9:59 AM, skippydiesel said:

When a PIC declares an emergency, they & their aircraft have right of way ie entry to controlled airspace will not be refused. 

There will likly be an investigation into all aspects of the declared emergency.

If the emergency was found to be bogus, I suspect that the pilot may find themselves in very deep manure.😈

Also consider an emergency maybe declared due to a drastic change in weather, not included in any forecast and an emergency diversion and landing could be subject to that instance and be a declared emergency? So who’s going to do an in-depth investigation on that situation and be proven to be against the PIC? 

[jackc]

On 8/7/2026 at 1:44 PM, Garfly said:

Some clarification:

 

F2026L00563ES.pdf 369.32 kB · 9 downloads

 

This is part of the preamble to the Explanatory Statement (above)"

 

"The purpose of the 3 instruments is to set out a standard procedure for authorising pilots of

the types of sport and recreational aircraft that are mentioned in CAOs 95.10, 95.32 and

95.55 to operate at controlled aerodromes and in controlled airspace. This is an alternative to

the current arrangements, which are inconsistent between pilots of different types of sport and

recreational aircraft, and also require such pilots to obtain qualifications under Part 61 of the

Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998 (CASR).

Broadly speaking, the 3 instruments will allow Recreational Aviation Australia Limited

(RAAus) to oversee the training, assessment and certification or authorisation of pilots of

various sport and recreational aircraft to operate at controlled aerodromes and in controlled

airspace, provided the pilots meet certain standards, endorsed by RAAus, that are equivalent

to some of the standards set out in Part 61 of CASR, and standards that are the same as those

in CASA EX01/24 — Flight Crew Medical Status (Class 5 Medical Self-declaration)

Exemption 2024 (CASA EX01/24). CASA EX01/24 sets out a process for completing an

online medical self-assessment as an alternative to the existing classes of medical certificates

that pilots are required to hold under Part 61 of CASR, all of which have historically been

issued only after a medical assessment by a medical practitioner under Part 67 of CASR.

In order to maintain consistency, the 3 instruments insert substantially identical provisions

into CAOs 95.10, 95.32 and 95.55, including provisions that mirror the provisions and

definitions in CASA EX01/24. The amendments in the 3 instruments are intended as an

interim measure until the Part 103 Manual of Standards (Part 103 MOS) is made."

 

Consider that the required instruments will have to be installed by LAME/Level 2 into the RAAus rego aircraft, and probably will need calibration check every two years to be eligible?

Skyecho not useable? because ATC  cannot see them?

Now  for VH Experimental registered aircraft, any  SAAA Member who has completed the latest MPC course, and received CASA  authority to work on their own aircraft, can fit their own transponder and any other devices required, to enter controlled airspace in their aircraft, 

This will be a big money saving aspect for them? 
 

[skippydiesel]

3 minutes ago, jackc said:

Also consider an emergency maybe declared due to a drastic change in weather, not included in any forecast and an emergency diversion and landing could be subject to that instance and be a declared emergency? So who’s going to do an in-depth investigation on that situation and be proven to be against the PIC? 

When a pilot declares an emergency, they fear for the continued safety of the aircraft & its occupants.

I am unaware of a proscribed situaton (s) or condition(s) for the above.

Weather, mechanical, medial, birdstrike, etc etc  may all constitute an emergency.

The skill / knowledge, level (VFR / IFR / RAA / ATPL / etc)  or lack of does not change the formula - what one one pilot may be able to handle, does not mean another may be overwhelmed.

My limited understanding -  In Australia the Air Transport Safety Board (ATSB) investigates aviation incidents https://www.atsb.gov.au/aviation-safety-investigation-australia

ATSB does not lay charges however the State Coroner, where there is a fatality, may advise the police to do so.  😈

 

[skippydiesel]

15 minutes ago, jackc said:

Consider that the required instruments will have to be installed by LAME/Level 2 into the RAAus rego aircraft,  I don think this is correct  for 19 (experimental) aircraft and probably will need calibration check every two years to be eligible? This is the current requirement.

Skyecho not useable? because ATC  cannot see them? In Australia SE2 can be used - not for the purposes of ATC, however ir is a variable low cost conspicuousity device

😈
 

 

[Garfly]

Not to worry lads. 

Them what wants it'll work it out.

Them what don't can carry on regardless.

(And no one's mayday will go unheeded due any of it.) 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[turboplanner]

2 hours ago, jackc said:

Also consider an emergency maybe declared due to a drastic change in weather, not included in any forecast and an emergency diversion and landing could be subject to that instance and be a declared emergency? So who’s going to do an in-depth investigation on that situation and be proven to be against the PIC? 

If you care to read the report on the aircraft that was in the Moorabbin CTA when a big storm blew up. Moorabbin was close for traffic. He panicked and kept coming because he was losing visual sight of the ground.The Tower told him Moorabbin was closed, but he landed anyway. Good report.

[Garfly]

You're always able to say unable.

 

[turboplanner]

14 minutes ago, Garfly said:

You're always able to say unable.

 

He did.

[facthunter]

The PIC is required to operate the Plane in the Most safe way possible in any circumstances. That means  SAFEST for you and OTHERS.  An  Investigatory Board make take weeks to determine if your actions were the correct Ones. The Pilot NEVER has  such extra time .. Yes an aerodrome in some Countries can be closed but if that is just sprung on you without notice it may still be the Best option IF realistically there is NO other option.. IF you were on final and below the minimum and had visibility to proceed why would you not do it? . Keep your priorities right.  Don't confuse this with "Press on Regardless" It's NOT the same.. Nev.

[Garfly]

An interesting example from Vegas the other day:

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DG-WTepSHaA

 

[facthunter]

Should have declared a fuel emergency before that. Pretty Busy Airport. High stress for the Controllers. Nev

[Garfly]

11 minutes ago, facthunter said:

Should have declared a fuel emergency before that. Pretty Busy Airport. High stress for the Controllers. Nev

 

Yes, maybe he was thinking they'd avoid the paperwork and squeak-in just fine without 'fessin up.

Still and all, it was a good call when that difficult choice was sprung on him. The system worked without a lot of fuss.

He ends up with twice the paperwork, but nothing's bent.

[facthunter]

It's Not being FAIR to everyone else . With CASA now you have to  advise if you will land without  reserves intact. . I would have thought that was what reserves are For. Some people have claimed Priority for a fuel emergency that did not exist to get Priority. The "Powers" are not amused by such behaviour. . Nev

[BrendAn]

i Remember once at kalgoorlie  an ansett jet landed and the engines shutdown when they turned to taxi back to the terminal. had to get towed.  they cut that pretty fine.

[facthunter]

The weather at PH probably went bad and it doesn't have close alternates. I think Kalgoorlie was limited use only because of Pavement Depth Factors. I ended up at Meekatharra once and there's not much there for the PAX. Nev

[BrendAn]

1 hour ago, facthunter said:

The weather at PH probably went bad and it doesn't have close alternates. I think Kalgoorlie was limited use only because of Pavement Depth Factors. I ended up at Meekatharra once and there's not much there for the PAX. Nev

No. This was Ansett regional Perth to Kalgoorlie flight.

[facthunter]

That's even worse..  Smaller planes are OK with the Pavement but where did the reserves  Go? Nev

[Garfly]

There are often interesting answers to such questions buried in the details when - and if - they emerge.

 

I can't find the Kalgoorlie incident but there was the 1971 case of the Ansett/MMA F28 landing out of gas on the small Fitzroy Crossing gravel strip at night.

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MacRobertson_Miller_Airlines

• Fokker F28 Flight MV 372 Perth to Port Hedland – 30 July 1971, VH-FKC: During the long, late-night hop, destination and onward airports became blanketed with fog. The F28 became dangerously low on fuel, and after circling for some time, Captain Harold Rowell considered ditching the aircraft in the ocean. However, he eventually landed the jet on a gravel runway in the isolated town of Fitzroy Crossing, landing with less than ten minutes of fuel remaining. No life was lost, and no injury occurred.

The story is well told in this PPRUNE post:

 

Forty years ago today ... - PPRuNe Forums

WWW.PPRUNE.ORG

---

The Pacific: General Aviation & Questions - Forty years ago today ... - ... the people of the tiny Fitzroy Crossing town in the Kimberley region of Western Australia were awoken to the frantic news that an MMA F28...

 

It concludes:

Sadly enough, he got nothing but criticism from the company for proceeding to Derby, even though the forecast was clear, and he was very hurt for many years afterwards by their attitude. The big wheels from Ansett in the East came swarming in to smarten up this “little hick airline”, but no matter what anyone could say, Harold had done a magnificent job in utterly impossible circumstances. Personally, I still think he should have been awarded a George Cross, or as it is now, The Star of Courage.

Edited Sunday at 02:05 AM by Garfly

[BrendAn]

1 hour ago, facthunter said:

That's even worse..  Smaller planes are OK with the Pavement but where did the reserves  Go? Nev

Must have been some wrong calculations do you think.

 

[BrendAn]

Quantas landed a plane at telfa once for some reason. I was told they even extended the airstrip to get it out of there.  Quantas sent the mine staff a pallet of beer for their help.