EXERCISE HIGHBALL - Proposed TRA to encompass military live fire activity

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    Closed consultation
    WA
    Start 16/05/2023
    AEST 09:00
    End 01/06/2023
    AEST 17:00

    Submit feedback to

    Joint Airspace  Control Cell
    JACC
    adf.airspace@defence.gov.au

    Seeking feedback on a Temporary Restricted Area (TRA) to support a live fire rocket artillery activity from 28 July - 03 August.

    The issue

    This proposal notes the following key issues:

    • activation of proposed TRA-CATAPULT extending Pearce, Lancelin and Sterling Restricted Areas to contain an impact area off the western coast of Perth
    • air route T12 is affected
    • Visual Flight Rules (VFR) route 3 will not be available due to R146A activation
    • conditional status of the TRA will be RA2
    • access to the TRA is limited to aircraft with a declared emergency or undertaking operations in the preservation of life and property.

    Purpose

    The Joint Airspace Control Cell (JACC) requests feedback on a proposed TRA to encompass military live fire rocket artillery activities through Pearce, Lancelin and Stirling Restricted Areas to an offshore impact area off the western coast of Perth.

    Elements of the Australian Defence Force (ADF) will be conducting military live fire activities over the period 28 July – 03 August 2023.

    The intention is to activate a TRA which extends the western boundary of R168B and R198, to safely contain military live fire rocket artillery activities.

    TRA-CATAPULT is proposed for the period 28 July – 03 August 2023, with up to 6 hours of activation occurring on each day.

    To reduce impost on civil industry, TRA-CATAPULT has been designed as an extension of extant restricted airspace, adjoining and sharing the western boundaries of R168B and R198, from SFC-UNL. This airspace is constructed as a fan arc out to a range of 120 nautical miles (n mile), from the Point of Launch within R146A, to safely contain the fires.

    Air route T12 is affected by this activity. Pearce air traffic control will tactically manage western oceanic traffic planned via T12 between MERIB – KEELS – BRIGG. Information shall be confirmed in aeronautical information package supplement (AIP SUP).

    VFR route 3 will be affected by the activation of R146A, pilots should utilise VFR route 1 to remain clear.

    Specific timings of prohibited, restricted, danger and TRA airspace activation will be confirmed in NOTAM.

    Access to TRA-CATAPULT, R146A, R168B and R196 by non-military aircraft is not available except for aircraft with a declared emergency or operating in the preservation of life or property (medical evacuation, flood and fire rescue, police, search and rescue).

    Refer to Figure 1 for a depiction of TRA-CATAPULT, R146A, R168B and R196.

    YMMM/TRA-CATAPULT

    • Conditional Status: RA2
    • Military Flying/Non-Flying
    • Lateral Limits: 311100S 1125838E – 310337S 1135138E then along a counter clockwise arc of a circle radius 120.00 n mile centre 315642S 1155734E (PH/DME) – 314000S 1133807E – 315113S 1131501E then along a clockwise arc of a circle radius 120.00 n mile centre 305101S 1151619E – 311100S 1125838E
    • Vertical Limits: SFC – UNL
    • Activation Times: NOTAM
    • Controlling Authority: Navy HMAS Stirling (contact details to be published in AIP SUP)
    Figure 1. Proposed TRA-CATAPULT, R146A, R168B and R196 [NOT FOR NAVIGATIONAL PURPOSES]
    Figure 2. Proposed TRA-CATAPULT, R146A, R168B and R196 showing air route T12. [NOT FOR NAVIGATIONAL PURPOSES] 

    AvSEF members are invited to provide feedback to JACC via email, adf.airspace@defence.gov.au, by 01 June 2023.

    Submitted by

    Joint Airspace Control Cell
    JACC
    adf.airspace@defence.gov.au

    Relevant documentation

    17 May 2023
    Details of TRA catapult and operation Highball [PDF 1.61 MB]