Flying in and around Ballina, Lismore, Casino and Evans Head?
New radio frequencies are being introduced to ease congestion and improve safety around these aerodromes.
The changes have been informed by industry feedback, including extensive engagement with stakeholders such as local flying schools, aero clubs, airspace users and industry bodies.
There was also a public consultation survey in November last year.
The frequency changes are expected to be the first in a series of safety improvement measures.
From 16 June 2022, the following common traffic advisory frequencies (CTAFs) will apply in these vicinities:
- Lismore and Casino – 132.45 MHz
- Evans Head – 126.7 MHz
- Ballina – 124.2 MHz (no change).
There are no other changes to your operational requirements.
It remains mandatory to carry and use a radio and meet broadcast requirements within the Ballina broadcast area as per Part 91 of the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations.
There are also requirements that apply during Ballina Surveillance Flight Information Service hours of operation only.
Please note ERSA, charts and departure and approach plates will be updated in December 2022 as per the standard publishing cycle.
Visit the Ballina public consultation to learn more.
If congestion is being experienced at Ballina Airport, might I suggest you direct some directions to the pilots of noisy buzz boxes known as light aircraft and stop them a) circling around the airport and b) circling around over suburbia (ie private property) at low altitude over what is known as “Ballina Island” – there should not be any aircraft over this area – there is simply no operational need (not to mention no where to set down or recover in the likely event of a failure) as there is plenty of open space to the North of the aerodrome and plenty more out to sea. If the noise invasion and dangerous flying continues – pilots can expect an unfriendly “welcome” after they land…
I would suggest you learn about the “circuit pattern”. Circuits are a standardised way for aircraft traffic to behave around an airport. This prevents accidents.
Ballina looking at the ERSA entry here https://www.airservicesaustralia.com/aip/current/ersa/FAC_YBNA_24MAR2022.pdf indicate that all circuits are to the south due to the right-hand circuits for runway 06. Pilots are legally obliged to fly in the way you indicate. They have to fly when in the circuit 1000 feet above the aerodrome height which in this case is 7 feet, so 1007 feet or 304 metres.
In the circuit, if there is an engine failure aircraft can glide to the field, you’d be surprised by the glide distance of the aircraft.
So to put it simply there is 100% operational need and you’re criticising pilots for following correct procedures established worldwide.