CASA 289/05 Approval and permission use of Class A airspace by gliders (Cth)

Instrument number CASA 289/05

I, Robert douGlas graham collins, Group General Manager, General Aviation Operations, make this instrument under subregulations 99AA (3) and 174A (3) of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1988 (CAR 1988).

[Signed R.D.G. Collins]

Robert D. G. Collins

Group General Manager

General Aviation Operations

25 July 2005

Approval and permission — use of Class A airspace by gliders

1          Commencement

            This instrument commences on the day after it is registered on the Federal Register of Legislative Instruments.

2          Revocation

            Instruments CASA 436/04 and CASA 198/05 are revoked.

3          Definition

            In this instrument:

letter of agreement (LOA) means a letter of the kind mentioned in Schedule 1.

4          Application

            This instrument applies to the pilot in command of a glider who:

(a)   is a member of the Gliding Federation of Australia (GFA); and

(b)   is operating the glider within the airspace, at the times and in compliance with the conditions (however described) mentioned in the current LOA for the airspace.

5          Approval and permission

The pilot may engage in a V.F.R. flight in Class A airspace in a glider that is not equipped with a secondary surveillance radar transponder in accordance with subregulation 174A (1) of CAR 1988 or paragraph 1.2 of section 52.1 of the Civil Aviation Orders.

6          Conditions

            The approval and permission are subject to the conditions mentioned in Schedule 2.

Schedule 1       Letter of agreement

            A signed letter of agreement between Airservices Australia (AA) and GFA, or between AA and a gliding body affiliated with GFA (the affiliate):

(a)   that sets out the conditions on which AA agrees to the conduct of high altitude glider operations in Class A airspace, within a specified wave soaring area, during a specified period of time; and

(b)   a copy of which has been given to CASA by the GFA or the affiliate as soon as practical after it has been signed.

Schedule 2       Conditions

      1     The flight must be conducted in accordance with:

(a)   the LOA; and

(b)   the operational requirements of AA and CASA for high altitude glider operations in Class A airspace within a wave soaring area.

      2     The pilot must be a member of the GFA and have received, and understood, a briefing from a Chief Flying Instructor(CFI) of the GFA (the GFA CFI), or his or her delegate appointed in writing, on the CASA and AA operational requirements for high altitude glider operations within a wave soaring area.

      3     The pilot must operate the glider in accordance with the instructions and directions of the GFA CFI, or his or her delegate.

      4     The pilot must have a copy of the current LOA for the wave soaring area on his or her person:

(a)   during the flight; and

(b)   for at least 1 hour immediately before and after the flight.

5 The pilot must carry and use a VHF radio to communicate with other aircraft in accordance with any directions issued by CASA under regulation 99A of CAR 1988 and published in AIP or NOTAMS.

      6       A delegate of the GFA CFI must be a person whom the GFA CFI believes has qualifications and experience in aviation and gliding that make him or her a suitable person to be the GFA’s delegate.