Proposed TRAs near Cowley Beach to support military flying activities

Elements of the Australian Defence Force (ADF) and partner nation militaries will be conducting Exercise ‘SEA EXPLORER 2025’ over the month of May 2025.

Exercise SEA EXPLORER 2025 forms part of the SEA Series of military exercises, involving a wide range of military air, sea and land activities across the Queensland coast.

2 Temporary Restricted Areas (TRA) are proposed to safely separate civil aircraft from the aforementioned military flying activities over the period 5 - 16 May 2025.

Safe integration of both military and civilian aviation operations is a priority of this Aviation State Engagement Forum consultation. Military aircraft and airspace controllers will monitor, and broadcast on as necessary, designated civilian aviation frequencies (e.g. CTAF and Civil Air Distress) at all times when the Special Use Airspace (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.

Indicative timings are listed in Table 1, with specific activation timings to be promulgated by AIP SUP and NOTAM.

Diversion Routes

TRA ‘SHADE’ is RA2 status due to the increased UAS and RW operations. As such, non-priority civilian aircraft should plan to avoid it. TRA ‘SHADE’ has been designed to avoid common parachute jump exercise 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 to the west of the Bruce Highway.

Access to TRA ‘SHADE’ and TRA ‘BANSHEE’

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 (SAR, MED, POL or FFR). Clearances through TRA ‘SHADE’, when appropriate, will be provided by the contact listed in AIP SUP.

NOTAMs

The proposed NOTAMs will display as follows:

• YBBB/TRA ‘SHADE’
  Conditional Status: RA2 
  Military Flying 
  Lateral Limits: 173823S 1460149E then along counter clockwise arc of a circle radius 50.00NM centre 165101S 1454438E (YBCS/DME) – 173029S 1461658E – 173029S 1464127E – 175140S 1464127E – 175140S 1461010E – 174412S 1461011E – 174412S 1460203E then north along the Bruce Highway – 173823S 1460149E 
  Vertical Limits: SFC-3000 AMSL 
  Hours of Activity: 2100Z – 0900Z Daily 
  Controlling Authority: Department of Defence, contact details to be specified in AIP SUP
• YBBB/TRA ‘BANSHEE’
  Conditional Status: RA1
  Military Flying 
  Lateral Limits: 173823S 1460149E then along counter clockwise arc of a circle radius 50.00NM centre 165101S 1454438E (YBCS/DME) – 173029S 1461658E – 173029S 1464127E – 175140S 1464127E – 175140S 1461010E – 174412S 1461011E – 174412S 1460203E then north along the Bruce Highway – 173823S 1460149E 
  Vertical Limits: 3000 – 6000 AMSL 
  Hours of Activity: NOTAM 
  Controlling Authority: Department of Defence, contact details to be specified in AIP SUP

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