Designated Remote Areas, Au

[skippydiesel]

Where to find a map showing Vic/ NSW Designated Remote Areas (Snowys)? 😈

[facthunter]

Seems it's more Vague than it used to be. Now it's just where it's sparsely Inhabited by the Looks of it. . Hot and remote without shade I would avoid unless you fly near roads that have regular traffic. Nev

[mkennard]

In the ERSA under GEN - FIS - In flight - 16.

Edited February 14 by mkennard

[skippydiesel]

Thanks Mkennard,

 

I have a vague idea for a flight north, staying out of DRA to Khancoban.

 - Entering DRA to Adaminaby. (Paralleling Canberra eastern CTA boundary - . Out of DRA) - Braidwood Percheron - Mittagong -

 

Spectacular country. Highest point Jagungal 6788'

 

Extremely weather dependant - will have an alternate, further west (low country)  route.😈

[onetrack]

Skippy, scroll down the page in the following link, the DRA is outlined in orange. I find it incredible that it's not marked on aeronautical charts.

 

https://www.flightsafetyaustralia.com/2024/02/planning-for-remote-possibilities/

[coljones]

12 hours ago, skippydiesel said:

Where to find a map showing Vic/ NSW Designated Remote Areas (Snowys)? 😈

Around about page 141 of the Part91 MOS

[BurnieM]

DRA seem to have been areas that were recommended to be avoided and required some survival gear to be carried when traversed.

 

I am having difficulty finding defined requirements/recommendations for traversing these areas.

Are they no longer considered (by government) as areas that need this ?

 

[skippydiesel]

9 hours ago, onetrack said:

Skippy, scroll down the page in the following link, the DRA is outlined in orange. I find it incredible that it's not marked on aeronautical charts.

 

https://www.flightsafetyaustralia.com/2024/02/planning-for-remote-possibilities/

Thanks Onetrack,

Unfortunatly the story cut off part of the DRA northern boundary - since found.😈

[Reynard]

“I  am having difficulty finding defined requirements/recommendations for traversing these areas.”

 

Defining generalised survival gear requirements would be a challenge - survival gear for alpine areas would be rather different to that in the desert in summer, or the wet season in Kakadu.

My interpretation of this requirement (and I’m planning a DRA flight right now), is carry plenty of water and wherever possible follow signs of civilisation (ie. roads). I also carry a space blanket, that happens to be highly reflective, and a cigarette lighter. You can survive without food for literally weeks, but water, maybe less than 24 hrs in some cases. We generally carry snacks such as dried fruit and nuts for long trips - they are light, and don’t go off.

I recall reading the story of the guy that bogged his plane in Lake Eyre and didn’t set off his ELT as he thought his rescue would cost too much.  He was lucky - when he was rescued he was severely dehydrated and drank gallons of water.

[BurnieM]

I understand different requirements for different areas and carrying survival gear generally.

 

However there does not seem to be any point in defining a DRA if there are not requirements/recommendations for traversing these areas.

 

Perhaps this 'concept' was flavour of the month years ago and is now being ignored ?

 

[facthunter]

It's Mostly "Common sense" which is Not that common. By defining requirements there is  exposure to Liability. IF it's hot and no shade, you won't last Long . Fly Near trafficked roads or go By Airlines.

[BurnieM]

My ideas for a general pupose survival kit;

ELT/PLB

foil survival blanket

whistle

signaling mirror

waterproof matches

2x3m plastic tarp

600ml water (more is better)

bag of barley sugars (individually wrapped)

 

[onetrack]

600ml of water would not last you more than a few hours in warm conditions. 2L of water would be a far better amount to carry. 

[mkennard]

Instead of a mirror I bring an old CD and you can see through the centre to aim.

[sfGnome]

CASA’s VFR Guide (free to download) has a whole chapter on dealing with emergencies (plus it just notes that in DRAs, you are required to carry “appropriate survival equipment for sustaining life” without attempting to define what is considered “appropriate”).

[BurnieM]

34 minutes ago, onetrack said:

600ml of water would not last you more than a few hours in warm conditions. 2L of water would be a far better amount to carry. 

Agreed but 600ml that is always in the aircraft is much better than the 2L bottle you meant to put in but forgot about.

 

I believe most survival experts recommend 2L per person per day.

 

[pmccarthy]

The main requirement for DRA used to be carriage of a HF radio.

[Reynard]

HF radio -Doesn’t seem to be a requirement any more.
A modern iPhone now has satellite connectivity which is handy.

[facthunter]

Some areas need a sat Phone. I used to relay through a Civil Airliner sometimes when I was  doing charters long ago and relay flight details on VHF. HF needs an aerial that you had to wind in. Nev

[Reynard]

I recall my father telling me about the day the gruff DCA inspector landed at the airfield, but had forgotten to wind the aerial in.  He was uncharacteristically sheepish that day apparently.

[facthunter]

Yeah. That would deflate his ego somewhat.  Nev

[T510]

15 hours ago, Reynard said:

HF radio -Doesn’t seem to be a requirement any more.
A modern iPhone now has satellite connectivity which is handy.

My new android phone uses Starlink where there is no cell tower coverage

[JMLIS]

Pre beacons the initial search was five miles each side of planned route. With GPS locator beacon I still fly direct routes over land, only over water if essential. 

 

[Moneybox]

I'm studying navigation at the moment. One thing stated in the instructions is to avoid flying over tiger country if there's an alternate route.

 

 

The charts I'm using don't indicate the type of vegetation as far as I can tell. Are there maps commonly used to show what's down there apart from mountains, lakes, rivers and manmade structures?

[turboplanner]

On 14/02/2026 at 12:21 PM, skippydiesel said:

Where to find a map showing Vic/ NSW Designated Remote Areas (Snowys)? 😈