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2 temporary restricted areas (TRA) are proposed near Cowley Beach to safely separate civil aircraft from the military flying activities over July 2025.
This proposal notes the following key issues:
Defence requests feedback on 2 proposed TRAs and associated procedures for Exercise Talisman Sabre 2025 (TS25), specifically to be employed at Cowley Beach during July 2025.
Elements of the Australian Defence Force (ADF) and partner nation militaries will be conducting TS25 during July 2025.
TS25 is a large-scale military activity, involving a wide range of military air, sea and land activities across the Queensland coast. 2 TRAs are proposed to safely separate civil aircraft from the aforementioned military flying activities over the period 12-18 July 2025.
This AvSEF Paper does not exhaustively cover the proposed temporary special use airspace (SUA) for TS25. Stakeholders should refer to the AvSEF website for consultation material relating to other proposals for TS25.
Safe integration of both military and civilian aviation operations is a priority of this proposal. Military aircraft and airspace controllers will monitor, and broadcast on as necessary, designated civilian aviation frequencies (like common traffic advisory and civil air distress frequencies) at all times when the SUA is active. Aircraft may request transit clearance through the SUA via a promulgated frequency and in accordance with the Aeronautical Information Publication Supplement (AIP SUP), and transits shall be approved on a case-by-case basis where safe to do so.
Pre-arranged SUA transit requests may also be submitted to the appointed Military Airspace Control Authority (MilACA) via promulgated contact method no later than 24 hours beforehand. Aircraft can expect a requirement to contact the MilACA airborne, prior to entering SUA. Contact details will be published by AIP SUP.
Two TRA are proposed to support a large-scale amphibious manoeuvre throughout the TS25 activity period. Indicative timings are listed in Table 1, with specific activation timings to be promulgated by AIP SUP and NOTAM.
Planned activation timings for TRA 'SHADE' and 'BANSHEE' | ||
---|---|---|
Airspace | Date | Time |
TRA 'SHADE' | 12 - 18 July 2025 | Up to 24 hours |
TRA 'BANSHEE' | 12 - 18 July 2025 | Up to 24 hours |
TRA ‘SHADE’ is RA2 status due to the increased remotely piloted aircraft and rotary wing operations. As such, non-priority civilian aircraft should plan to avoid it. TRA ‘SHADE’ has been designed to avoid common parachute jumping areas, and facilitate Dunk Island access, with a vertical limit that facilitates transits at or above 3000 feet above mean sea level. Aircraft tracking north/south can also avoid TRA ‘SHADE’ by remaining west of the Bruce Highway.
Access to TRA ‘BANSHEE’ by non-exercise aircraft can be expected, provided the MilACA is contacted prior to TRA entry on the promulgated frequency. However, access to the airspace may be delayed while the appropriate segregation standards are established.
Transits through TRA ‘BANSHEE’ (RA1) are expected and may be requested by contacting the military airspace control authority (MilACA) directly on an appropriate, promulgated frequency (e.g. Cassowary Coast CTAF). Expected transit levels through TRA ‘BANSHEE’ are between 3000 – 4000 feet above mean sea level, inclusive. Further details will be advised by AIP SUP.
Non-exercise aircraft authorised for TRA transit by the MilACA will be deconflicted from all remotely piloted aircraft operations by at least 1 nautical mile laterally or 1000 feet vertically.
During NOTAM activation periods, access to TRA ‘SHADE’ by non-exercise aircraft will not be available except in cases of a declared emergency, radio failure or participating in activities for the preservation of life and property. Clearances through TRA ‘SHADE’, when appropriate, will be provided by the contact listed in AIP SUP.
The NOTAMs for the proposed TRAs will be as follows:
AvSEF members are invited to provide feedback to Defence at adf.airspace@defence.gov.au by 31 January 2025.