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To seek feedback on the airspace and procedures for Exercise Vigilant Scimitar 2023, specifically to be employed at Ingham aerodrome.
The issue
- Activation of Temporary Restricted Area (TRA) Ingham around Ingham Aerodrome (YIGM)
- Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Air Traffic Control (ATC) at Ingham providing an Aerodrome Control Service (Class D)
- civilian aircraft can expect access to Ingham Aerodrome and TRA Ingham by following Class D procedures
- aim is to safely integrate military flying activities and normal civilian operations at Ingham, and segregate civil traffic from defence UAS operations.
Update
Due to updated exercise requirements, TRA Tabletop and TRA Paluma will no longer be required.
Purpose
Elements of the Australian Defence Force (ADF) will be conducting Exercise Vigilant Scimitar 2023 (VS23) over the period 27 April – 19 May 2023.
VS23 is a medium scale military field training exercise, involving a wide range of tactical flying activities across North Queensland, with aircraft operating from YIGM. Defence flying operations at YIGM will include rotary wing (of varied wake turbulence categories), fixed wing aircraft, and UAS. The UAS will operate within 6 nautical miles of the Aerodrome, and transit through TRA to Townsville Field Training Area (TFTA).
It is intended to activate a TRA encompassing Ingham Aerodrome and circuit area, TRA Ingham, as well as TRAs between Ingham and TFTA to facilitate UAS operations, TRA Tabletop and Paluma. RAAF ATC will provide a Class D Aerodrome Control Service (Tower Service) at YIGM and within the TRA to safely integrate military flying operations with civil flying operations.
The following TRA is established for the purposes of VS23:
- TRA-Ingham
- Conditional Status: RA1
- Military Flying
- Lateral Limits: A circle radius 6.00NM centre 183938S 1460906E (YIGM)
- Vertical Limits: SFC – 2500
- Hours of Activity: NOTAM
- Controlling Authority: 44WG Mobile Air Operations Team – Ingham OIC – 0491 216 972
A RAAF ATC Class D Aerodrome Control Service will only be provided at YIGM during TRA-Ingham hours of activity.
Access to TRA-Ingham:
- During NOTAM activation periods, access by non-exercise aircraft to depart, arrive or transit TRA-Ingham (SFC-2500FT AMSL) will be available via clearance request to RAAF ATC. RAAF ATC at YIGM (IGM ATC) will be operating as ‘Ingham Tower’ on the designated ATC frequency
- procedures and frequencies in use will be detailed within AIP SUP.
Procedures (subject to change, to be promulgated via AIP SUP):
- IGM ATC shall provide a Class D Aerodrome Control Service (including wake turbulence separation) to aircraft operating at YIGM or within TRA Ingham during NOTAM activation periods. Aircraft requesting to transit the TRA or manoeuvre on the ground at YIGM, shall contact IGM ATC for clearance.
- Arriving aircraft shall make an inbound call to IGM ATC at 10nm YIGM (or earlier), reporting position, level and clearance request details. IGM ATC will then issue a clearance to enter TRA Ingham including any traffic or UAS advice. IGM ATC will endeavour to issue clearances with tracking and altitude as per pilot request, unless safety requirements (ie separation standards) necessitate an alternate clearance to be issued.
- Departing aircraft shall call IGM ATC prior to taxi with first departure point, requested level and other relevant departure information. IGM ATC shall provide taxiing instructions with a clearance as required, as well as relevant meteorological data and an expected departure runway. Once holding short of the active runway, IGM ATC will provide departure instructions with a clearance for departure, as well as advice of any relevant traffic or UAS activity.
- Aircraft intending to conduct circuit operations are to contact IGM ATC with area of operations and requested level.
- Priority for departure/arrival will be as per AIP ENR 1.4 – 18 para 10.1, for all aircraft operating in the TRA regardless of military or civil status.
- Normal CTAF procedures remain in place outside of activation windows with notification of UAS activity to be advised via NOTAM.
- VHF frequencies for TRA Ingham and IGM ATC will be published via the airspace activation NOTAM and AIP SUP.
Aerodrome Information:
- IGM ATC will be operated from a Mobile Air Operations Team vehicle which will be located on the airfield to provide ATC services.
- Military helicopters range in Wake Turbulence Category from light to heavy. Wake turbulence separation and/or advice will be provided to all aircraft when required.
Relevant documentation
20 February 2023
tra-ingham-vs23-update.pdf [PDF 363.45 KB]