Exercises SEA EXPLORER and SEA RAIDER 2023

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    Closed consultation
    QLD
    Start 23/03/2023
    AEDT 09:00
    End 05/04/2023
    AEST 17:00

    Submit feedback to

    Joint Airspace  Control Cell
    Royal Australian Air Force

    Elements of the Australian Defence Force (ADF) will be conducting Exercises ‘Sea Explorer 2023’ (SE23) and ‘Sea Raider 2023’ (SR23) over the period 16 June - 07 July 2023.

    The issue

    This proposal notes the following key issues:

    • Activation of TRA-Totem-A to safely segregate civil aircraft from extensive rotary wing and UAS operations in the vicinity of Bowen (H24).
    • Activation of TRA-Totem-B to safely segregate civil aircraft from offshore rotary wing activities in the vicinity of Bowen, Holbourne Island and Gloucester Island (up to 12 hours daily).
    • Conditional status of TRA-Totem-A and TRA-Totem-B to be RA1 and RA2 respectively, with tentative procedures outlined below. Final confirmation to be promulgated in AIP SUP, with activation windows via NOTAM.

    Elements of the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) and the Australian Regular Army (ARA) will be conducting Exercises (SE23) and (SR23) over the period 16 June – 07 July 2023. Multiple MH-60R and CH-47 helicopters, a medium-sized UAS (Scheibel S-100) and multiple small UAS (Black Hornet, DJI MRUAS, RQ-12 Wasp and RQ-20 Puma) will be operating over land and water from ashore and from RAN vessels, in the vicinity of Bowen.

    There will be increased military rotary wing and UAS activity in the vicinity of Bowen, Holbourne Island and Gloucester Island for the duration of the Exercise period.

    Purpose

    Joint Airspace Control Cell (JACC) requests feedback on proposed TRAs and procedures for Exercises ‘Sea Explorer 2023’ (SE23) and ‘Sea Raider 2023’ (SR23), specifically to be employed in the vicinity of Bowen.

    Bowen – Rotary Wing and UAS operations – SEA EXPLORER and SEA RAIDER

    Due to the large scope of rotary wing and UAS operations, TRA-Totem-AB are required to safely separate civil and military activities occurring near the beach and offshore.

    Military aircraft and airspace controllers will monitor, and broadcast on as necessary, designated civilian aviation frequencies (eg CTAF and aeronautical emergency frequency) at all times when exercise airspace is active. Aircraft may request transit clearance through the airspace via a frequency to be promulgated in AIP SUP, and transits shall be approved on a case-by-case basis where safe to do so. Aircraft may expect a short delay prior to clearance through exercise airspace. Further details by airspace subdivision below.

    TRA-Totem-A

    The airspace status of TRA-Totem-A is RA1.

    Aircraft wishing to conduct certain VFR departure and arrival profiles at YBWN (Bowen) that require transit of TRA-Totem-A can expect clearance through TRA-Totem-A. However, alternate tracking to remain clear of TRA-Totem-A is recommended wherever possible.

    If transit is requested, aircraft can expect a short delay prior to clearance as the airspace will require sterilisation. Aircraft can expect a requirement to contact the Military Airspace Control Authority (MilACA) airborne, prior to entering exercise airspace.

    TRA-Totem-B

    The airspace status of TRA-Totem-B is RA2. Aircraft wishing to conduct instrument approaches at YBWN (Bowen) can expect clearance through TRA-Totem-B provided that prior coordination is conducted. Transits can be pre-arranged on request to the appointed MilACA via promulgated contact method no later than 24 hours beforehand. Aircraft can expect a requirement to contact the MilACA airborne, prior to entering exercise airspace.

    Table 1. Tentative activation windows for Bowen airspace
    Airspace Date Ti me
    TRA-Totem A

    16-30 Jun 2023

    04-07 Jul 2023

    H24
    TRA-Totem B

    16-30 Jun 2023

    04-07 Jul 2023

    Up to 12hr daily

     

    Bowen airspace is depicted in Figure 1, with dimensions as follows:

    YBBB/TRA-Totem-A

    • Conditional Status: RA1
    • Military Flying
    • Lateral Limits: 195810S 1481552E then along the clockwise arc of a circle radius 4.00NM centre 200104S 1481255E (YBWN/ARP) - 200205S 1481702E – 200059S 1481503E – 200023S 1481445E 195810S 1481552E
    • Vertical Limits: SFC – 3000FT AMSL
    • Hours of Activity: NOTAM
    • Controlling Authority: Defence, contact details to be published in aeronautical information package supplements (AIP SUP) and NOTAM

    YBBB/TRA-Totem-B

    • Conditional Status: RA2
    • Military Flying
    • Lateral Limits: 193412S 1482630E - 195007S 1483735E then along the counter clockwise arc of a circle radius 36.00NM centre 202104S 1485721E (OVRON/WPT) - 200540S 1482243E – 200205S 1481702E then along the counter clockwise arc of a circle radius 4.00NM centre 200104S 1481255E (YBWN/ARP) - 195810S 1481552E – 194735S 1481052E then along the clockwise arc of a circle radius 55.00NM centre 202104S 1485721E (OVRON/WPT) - 193412S 1482630E Vertical Limits: SFC – 7000FT AMSL
    • Hours of Activity: NOTAM
    • Controlling Authority: Defence, contact details to be published in AIP SUP and NOTAM
    image depicting TRA-Totem
    Figure 1. TRA-Totem-AB

     

    Bowen Instrument Approaches TRA-Totem-AB affect the use of both Bowen (YBWN) instrument approach procedures (IAP) and their associated missed approach paths. The use of the YBWN RNP S and RNP N will only be available with prior coordination no later than 24 hours beforehand, except in the cases of an emergency.

    The controlling authority will facilitate access by aircraft with a declared emergency, radio failure or participating in activities for the preservation of life and property (search and rescue, medivac, police or fire and flood recovery). Clearances through TRA-Totem-AB, when appropriate, will be provided by the MilACA IAW procedures to be published in the AIP SUP. Should emergency transits be required, the underlying Class G services will apply. AvSEF members are invited to provide feedback to JACC: adf.airspace@defence.gov.au by 05 Apr 23.

    Submitted by

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