How do you get clearance through Evans Head if its active?

[Pearo]

Looking at ERSA suggest that there is several frequencies. Do you need a code? IF so, do I get it from BNE centre?

 

I am going to plan around it (RA2), but it would be nice if I could get cleared through if active.

 

 

[Happyflyer]

Looking at ERSA suggest that there is several frequencies. Do you need a code? IF so, do I get it from BNE centre?I am going to plan around it (RA2), but it would be nice if I could get cleared through if active.

I don't know about Evans Head but when the local RA2 restricted area here is active I plan to fly around, then when airborne I call up centre on the same frequency that covers the area when it is not active and ask if a clearance through is available. Most times it is but you can't bank on it.

 

 

[ian00798]

Considering that's in my airspace, I will tell you the general rule is you won't get a clearance. Realistically it's only medevac that will get through it most of the time. As for who to contact for a clearance through it, your best hope would be Brisbane centre on 120.3

 

Sometimes the airspace is released to Brisbane centre, in which case we can clear you through it, other than that we will just tell you clearance is not available. It's a bit of a painful piece of airspace for ATC as well, especially for Gold Coast arrivals.

 

 

[Pearo]

Considering that's in my airspace, I will tell you the general rule is you won't get a clearance. Realistically it's only medevac that will get through it most of the time. As for who to contact for a clearance through it, your best hope would be Brisbane centre on 120.3Sometimes the airspace is released to Brisbane centre, in which case we can clear you through it, other than that we will just tell you clearance is not available. It's a bit of a painful piece of airspace for ATC as well, especially for Gold Coast arrivals.

Thanks Ian.

 

I am only used to mil airstrips/airspace, so it's a new one to me!

 

 

[Aldo]

Looking at ERSA suggest that there is several frequencies. Do you need a code? IF so, do I get it from BNE centre?I am going to plan around it (RA2), but it would be nice if I could get cleared through if active.

Pearo

 

Check your ERSA PRD - 1

 

Conditional Status

 

RA1 - Pilots may plan through and expect a clearance from ATC

 

RA2 - Pilots must not plan through unless on a route specified in ERSA Gen FPR, a clearance is not assured

 

RA3 - Pilots must not plan through and clearances will not be available

 

Aldo

 

 

[Pearo]

PearoCheck your ERSA PRD - 1

 

Conditional Status

 

RA1 - Pilots may plan through and expect a clearance from ATC

 

RA2 - Pilots must not plan through unless on a route specified in ERSA Gen FPR, a clearance is not assured

 

RA3 - Pilots must not plan through and clearances will not be available

 

Aldo

Thanks mate, already know that. Just because its RA2 does not mean you cannot get a clearance thought it, oakey being the perfect example.

 

 

[Aldo]

Thanks mate, already know that. Just because its RA2 does not mean you cannot get a clearance thought it, oakey being the perfect example.

Pearo

 

That is correct but the difference being Oakey control themselves so they are able to make a determination immediately if you are going to interrupt their traffic flow, but you are still not able to plan through Oakey but you can request it once you are enroute.

 

Evans Head RA2 is not able to be planned through and as it is not under local control any request must go through centre, if active the request will more than likely be denied this is possibly because the military has accepted responsibility for separation (that is if two aircraft run into each other it is their problem not centres) and as such centre is not controlling separation so you won't get a clearance.

 

Aldo

 

 

[ian00798]

The problem with Evans head is that it is a bombing range, so if you request a clearance through Brisbane centre, we then have to call Amberley ATC, and they have to then contact the range safety officer to find out what is happening and get a clearance. Being a restricted area when active it is equivalent to class C airspace, so any IFR aircraft in the area have to be separated from VFR, as well as keeping you safe from military aircraft with live weapons. If they do give a VFR aircraft a clearance, they are basically rendering the airspace unusable to them for the length of the transit, which in a light aircraft can take quite a long time.

 

In all honesty, most of the time if you request a clearance from us we will just tell you it's not available if we know there are any aircraft at all in the restricted area. Military ATC has become fairly good at releasing restricted airspace to civil ATC lately when they aren't using it, so we normally have a good idea of when you will be able to get clearance.

 

 

[Pearo]

The problem with Evans head is that it is a bombing range, so if you request a clearance through Brisbane centre, we then have to call Amberley ATC, and they have to then contact the range safety officer to find out what is happening and get a clearance. Being a restricted area when active it is equivalent to class C airspace, so any IFR aircraft in the area have to be separated from VFR, as well as keeping you safe from military aircraft with live weapons. If they do give a VFR aircraft a clearance, they are basically rendering the airspace unusable to them for the length of the transit, which in a light aircraft can take quite a long time.In all honesty, most of the time if you request a clearance from us we will just tell you it's not available if we know there are any aircraft at all in the restricted area. Military ATC has become fairly good at releasing restricted airspace to civil ATC lately when they aren't using it, so we normally have a good idea of when you will be able to get clearance.

Thanks Ian. Probably should put this one in the ATC megathread! Good info though. I tend to plan around RA2 regardless of the status, but always try and get clearance if possible!

 

Out of interest, how far north does your area stretch too? I only ended up going down to Ballina so only talked to ATC on 119.5 to the familiar voice of a controller who I don't know! Must have been a quiet day because it was the same person on 125.7.

 

 

[ian00798]

119.5 and 125.7 both belong to a sector called sunshine, so that will always be the same controller. When they are really quiet the sector is occasionally combined up with the approach sectors too.

 

My airspace goes to just north of ballina, and also includes lismore and casino. One of the frequencies I own up there is 120.3.

 

 

[Chocolate]

Ahha..so yours is the friendly voice I have in my area.! What about 126.8 pashendale..yours too?

 

 

[ian00798]

Yeah mate, 126.8, 134.2, 122.6 and 120.3 all belong to the same sector. Sometimes I can have those frequencies and 127.1, 133.05, 125.75 and 124.8 all at once.