Explanatory Statement – AERU 05-30/ Class C Airspace
Purpose: All permanent airspace changes are given legal effect by the raising of a valid Legislative Instrument, signed by the appropriate delegate. The permanent description of airspace is published in the AIP MAP products (as defined in ICAO Annex 15) and in the Designated Airspace Handbook (DAH).
This instrument describes a repeat of same lateral boundaries and altitudes as the previous Class C Airspace legislative instrument (AERU 05-13) however the instrument preface has additional comments which allows Class C airspace to be temporarily deactivated in a more efficient manner when a lower level of service is required, nominally G class service. By registering this instrument the temporary deactivation of the airspace and/or control areas can be accomplished by way of NOTAM or AIP supplement rather than a further legislative instrument.
Operation: The additional comments in the instrument will allow a more efficient way of temporarily deactivating airspace by NOTAM or AIP supplements for the occasional request to lower the service in C class airspace. This situation currently occurs near Alice Springs where Bond Springs Gliding Club request an allotted piece of airspace near the Alice Spring airport but doesn't need the higher level service provided by the air traffic controllers.
Impact: The impact on this determination of Class C airspace is expected to be negligible as the airspace is already in existence as previously established airspace for IFR and VFR operations within the Australian flight information region.
The additional text in the preface is to allow a more suitable process in temporarily deactivating airspace down to a lower level of service when necessary.
The Office of Regulation Review determined this instrument appeared unlikely to have direct or significant indirect impact on businesses and therefore confirmed a Regulation Impact Statement would not be required.