Proposed changes to Proserpine broadcast area

To seek feedback on proposed changes to Proserpine broadcast area (BA).

The issue

• Proserpine BA currently shares its frequency, 126.70 MHz, with many other areas in surrounding Class G airspace. 
• There have been observations and reports of confusion for separation purposes from traffic as far away as Ayr (YAYR - 88 nautical mile (n mile) away). This is because both airports have runways aligned 11/29. 
• Traffic at Proserpine has changed since its last airspace review and now is operating at pre-pandemic traffic levels. There is now additional skydiving, airline and commercial General Aviation (GA) traffic departing to and arriving from more destinations.

Purpose

Due to significant changes since the last airspace review from the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), the present 126.70 MHz frequency is not proving suitable for the Proserpine BA. This proposal seeks to improve aircraft-to-aircraft communication within the area by providing a different frequency to that used by traffic in the surrounding Class G airspace. Specifically,

• In the vicinity of Proserpine Airport (YBPN) there would be a reduction in overlapping communications observed on 126.70 MHz from airline traffic near Moranbah Airport (YMRB).
• In the vicinity of Bowen Airport (YBWN) there would be a reduction in overlapping communications observed on 126.70 MHz from traffic, the Aerodrome Frequency Response Unit (AFRU) and Pilot-Activated Lighting (PAL) at YBPN. This would reduce interruption for the model aeroplane club at YBWN.

Relevant documentation