Proposed changes to Kinchant broadcast area

To seek feedback on a proposal to change the Kinchant broadcast area (BA).

The issue

• Some stakeholders currently report the Kinchant BA is utilised less than was expected during its creation in 2015. Given that some airstrips in the Pioneer Valley are outside the Kinchant BA and on a different frequency, expanding the existing BA to include all relevant airstrips may help to justify the discrete frequency.
• The Kinchant BA includes Palmyra (YPYA), Turtle Park (YTPK) and Marian (YMRI). Further west of the current area is Finch Hatton (YFHA) which has been recently upgraded. There would be benefit in having all airstrips in the area on the same frequency.
• This consultation may be impacted by a separate proposal to change the Proserpine BA CTAF to a unique frequency. This would reduce the congestion on 126.7 MHz in the event the Kinchant BA reverted back to this standard frequency.

Purpose

An airspace review conducted by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) involving the Mackay area in February 2019 did not comment on the Class G airspace or BAs next to the Mackay control zone. This proposal seeks to improve the communications in this area and has three potential resolutions.

Relevant documentation