Greg Whiley (CaptAus)
Aussie Star Flight Simulation
Australian Airspace Classification System
By world standards Australia uses a unique airspace classification system, although it has
become largely aligned with the system used in the USA over recent years. There are four
International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standard airspace classes (A, C, D, E), plus one
uniquely Australian class (GAAP) of controlled airspace used in Australia. The special GAAP
class of airspace which is currently used at the major capital city general aviation aerodromes
changed to the ICAO standard Class D in 2010. The classes of airspace differ in that they have
different operational requirements and/or operational restrictions.
Airspace Class Descriptions
Class A Airspace
Class A is high level en route airspace that is used by high performance jet and turbo-prop
aircraft. VFR flights are not generally permitted within Class A airspace. Separation is provided
between all aircraft operating in Class A and there are no speed restrictions. Clearance is
required by all aircraft operating in Class A.
Class C Airspace
Class C surrounds major city airports starting at ground level and is stepped up into mid-level
Class C or the high-level Class A airspace. The control area steps above Class D aerodromes is
also classified Class C as is airspace within radar coverage south of Sydney between FL125 and
FL180. Military restricted areas at or below FL285 are classified as Class C whilst they are
active.
IFR and VFR flights are permitted within Class. VFR flights are limited to 250 knots indicated
airspeed below 10,000 feet AMSL. Air traffic services are required to provide separation
between IFR and IFR and IFR and VFR traffic. Traffic information and traffic avoidance advice is
provided for VFR to VFR traffic but a separation service is not. Clearance is required by all
aircraft operating in Class C.
Class D Airspace
Class D airspace is used around the non-capital city controlled aerodromes. Protected airspace
in the form of Class C steps are provided above Class D to allow high speed and heavy traffic to
remain inside controlled airspace whilst arriving and departing the Class D area.
IFR and VFR flights are permitted within Class D. Non-military IFR and VFR aircraft are limited
to 250 knots indicated airspeed below 10,000 feet AMSL. Traffic information is provided to IFR
flights about VFR traffic and VFR flights receive information about all flights. Clearance is
required by all aircraft operating in Class D.
Class E Airspace
Class E is mid level airspace where IFR aircraft are provided with a separation service from
other IFR aircraft and, where workload permits, IFR aircraft are given traffic information about
known VFR traffic. VFR traffic only receives a flight information service on request. IFR and VFR
flights are restricted to 250 knots indicated airspeed below 10,000 feet AMSL. In Class E
airspace IFR aircraft must obtain a clearance but VFR flights do not require a clearance.
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Class G
Class G is uncontrolled airspace and accounts for the majority of Australian airspace. There is no
separation service provided to any aircraft operating in Class G but a flight information service
is provided to IFR traffic and flight information and radar information services and flight
following is provided on request to VFR flights. Speed is restricted to below 250 knots for all
aircraft below 10,000 feet AMSL whilst within Class G. Class G is the only airspace category in
which 'no radio' flights may be conducted but these are restricted to below 5,000 feet AMSL,
away from aerodromes that require the use of radio and in weather conditions than meet the
standard VMC criteria.
Within Class G uncontrolled airspace some aerodromes operate a Common Traffic Advisory
Frequency (CTAF) which imposes a requirement for radio to be carried and used but does not
affect the operational services or requirements provided by air traffic services.
GAAP
GAAP airspace is uniquely Australian. The major capital city general aviation aerodromes are
currently classified GAAP but these are in the process of changing to Class D. In GAAP airspace
IFR aircraft are provided a separation service when IMC conditions exist, and a special VFR to
special VFR separation service is provided when visibility is less than VMC. An air traffic control
service is provided for take-off and landing.
Airspace Design Models
There are three general airspace design models used in Australia. There is one for use of the
majority of the country where there is no radar coverage. See Figure 1.
Figure 1: Australian airspace structure outside radar coverage
Along the east and south east fringes of the country where there is radar coverage there are
two models because a high percentage of the air traffic operates in those areas. Different models
are used in the north and south because of the differing type of air traffic in those areas. From
Sydney north, because of the larger distances that are generally flown there are comparatively
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few high performance piston engine aircraft used for commuter Regular Public Transport (RPT)
operations so there is less traffic operating in the 8,000 - 10,000 foot altitude range. This means
that there isn't sufficient demand for separation services between instrument flight rules (IFR)
and visual flight rules (VFR) traffic to warrant Class C airspace below the flight levels. See
Figure 2.
Figure 2: Australian airspace structure within radar coverage north of Sydney
In the southern part of Australia there is still quite a lot of short haul commuter aircraft operate
between 8,000 and 10,000 feet so Class C is provided. See Figure 3.
Figure 3: Australian airspace structure within radar coverage south of Sydney
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Airspace Depiction on Charts
Airspace categories and their lateral and vertical limits are depicted on ERC-L, ERC-H, TAC and
VTC charts. Each chart has a legend which gives specific information about the way information
is depicted on the chart.
The lower limits of airspace are shown on all charts by indicating the airspace class and the
lower limit. Where a piece of airspace commences at the surface the lower limit is shown as
'SFC'. In areas where different classes of airspace are stacked vertically the labels are shown in
layers. See Figure 4.
Figure 4: Stacked airspaces indicated on charts
Boundaries of Class A, C and D controlled airspace are shown on charts as a SOLID BLUE line.
Class E controlled airspace is shown on charts as a SOLID BROWN line and should not be
confused with the dashed brown flight information area frequency boundary. Military
controlled airspace and restricted areas are shown using MAGENTA lines. See Figure 5.
Figure 5: Different boundaries of controlled airspace
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