To Avalon Sans Transponder

[geoffreywh]

Well, I received a nice invitation from Avalon Airshow inviting me to partake in the "round the bays" tour... I would have loved to go, but I was excluded from attending as I had no Transponder Or so I thought. I emailed Mick Jennings and told him I was disappointed in not being able to attend.. I got this email back from him just now...I attach it here.

 

Geoff,

 

Thanks for your e-mail...sorry for the delay in replying.

 

I have checked with our Operations Manager re your situation etc and he

 

has confirmed that you can attend Avalon 2009 even with the restrictions

 

you noted. Airservices Australia has given blanket dispensation for

 

RAAus aircraft to fly in and out of Avalon for the event by following

 

set patterns in and out(details can be found on our website,

 

www.airshow.com.au under the 'Flying In' segment). Therefore, if you

 

would like to join us as per our invite you are more than welcome.

 

As for the Round the Bay Regatta, I still have to do some more

 

investigations as we are not sure if the dispensation extends that far.

 

I will however chase this up and advise you as soon as I know.................. So from the horses mouth you CAN attend Avalon without having a transponder fitted.. Very contrary to the (mis) information on this subject on this forum.......make of it what you will, I'm going.....

 

 

[Guest brentc]

Geoff, I need to clarify the 'mis' information on the other thread was regarding operations in GAAP airspace and the fact that Avalon airshow organisers sought an incorrectly worded exemption for RA aircraft to operate into Avalon, rather than 'RA certificated pilots.' Hence my call to the manager of Airshows Down Under to clarify for the benefit of everyone. The AIP supplement is also mis-leading in that it says the airfield will be operated like a GAAP airfield, however it's not actually GAAP airspace for the purposes of the event.

 

The dispensation came about because around a month ago a NOTAM was released for Avalon airspace, stating that a transponder was required when in range of the CTAF®. The excemption sought by airshow organisers was to allow RA-Aus aircraft without a transponder, into this newly classified airspace. As a result of the new NOTAM it is not possible for ANY aircraft to fly past Avalon without a transponder at present.

 

Whilst it is possible to fly into Avalon as part of the Round the Bay Regatta, the Regatta is run on Thursday 12th of March which is one of the few days that you are allowed to fly into Avalon MAIN, but as a trade visitor only (or a pilot).

 

It still remains that you can not fly into Avalon MAIN from Friday to Sunday which are the public access days.

 

You can however fly into Avalon East, unrestricted in RA-Aus aircraft, with RA-Aus certificate without a transponder during this period.

 

As for the Regatta and operating without a transponder, you don't need a transponder to operate around the Bay in ANY aircraft so no dispensation is required and no doubt Mick will get back to you with a positive answer on that one.

 

This is Mick's first Avalon Airshow and he apologised to me for not being fully up to speed on the regulations.

 

 

[geoffreywh]

Thanks Brent, I didn't see the distinction between Avalaon and Avalon East. Plus the NOTAM made it appear that I could not attend, Now all is fairly clear and I shall attend via Avalon east Plus the round the bays trip which looks like a good way to have a good time...

 

 

[Guest brentc]

Last show the Round the Bay Regatta competition thing was won by one of our forum members Phil from Cobden. Hope I've got that right, or it was the show before. Either way, 'twas a good effort.