Proposed implementation of a temporary restricted area in the vicinity of Exmouth, WA.

The purpose of this ACP is to change the lateral and vertical limits of restricted airspace IVO Exmouth, WA via a temporary airspace (TRA) change in the immediate term with the option to create a permanent airspace change for CY2026.  These changes are required to protect aircraft from high intensity radiated fields created by military radar operations IVO Harold E Holt Defence Precinct (HEH).

The TRA is intended as two tiers.

TRA DEV: A circle radius 3.76 n miles centred 215325S 1140708E, from SFC-2000 
TRA REX: A circle radius 5.4 n miles centred 215325S 1140708E from 2000-FL260

EXISTING RESTRICTED AIRSPACE STRUCTURE

PROPOSED STRUCTURE

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IMPACTS ON AERODROMES and AIR ROUTES

Learmonth (YPLM)

Aeronautical Information Service - Air Force (AIS-AF) have assessed the proposed TRA and have found nil impact to current AIS-AF instrument flight procedures (IFP) at YPLM.

Uncertified Aerodromes IVO the proposed SUA

Yardie Aerodrome

Yardie aerodrome is located approximately 6.1 n miles west from the proposed centre of the SUA and approximately 0.85iles from the western boundary of the proposed lateral limit to TRA REX.

Yardie aerodrome caters for tourists to the coastal areas to the west of the Exmouth Peninsula who generally arrive by airline type aircraft into YPLM and then by light aircraft to/from Yardie aerodrome. Flight operations at Yardie are typically contained within 1 n miles of each runway threshold and can operate at a height of 1000 feet above ground level (AGL), beneath the lower limit of TRA REX.

Exmouth Aerodrome

Exmouth aerodrome is located approximately 8.9 n miles south of the proposed centre of all airspace and approximately 3.22 n miles from the southern boundary of R125B. It services the local community and provides for aeromedical evacuation in the event of a serious accident or illness occurring in the area. Exmouth aerodrome is located outside the 3 n miles assessment area, implementation of these TRAs are unlikely to have any impact on flight operations at Exmouth aerodrome.

Summary

Flight operations at Exmouth and Yardie aerodromes would not be adversely impacted by the proposed SUA.

IFR Air Route Impact

IFR air routes IVO the proposed TRAs converge on YPLM as a waypoint. These are published by Airservices Australia as a component of the AIP.  Enroute charts high (ERC-H) contain the details of significant air routes used by transcontinental, inter-capital and international air traffic for flight operations above flight level 200 (FL). Enroute charts low (ERC-L) contain the details of air routes used by local aircraft up to and including FL200.

Q327

It is possible that aircraft travelling north on Q327 via YPLM to waypoint SOPAT may approach the TRA boundary if travelling between their expected OCA A LL of FL245 and FL260. It is recommended that IFR aircraft on Q327 are cleared elevate FL300 prior to YPLM to prevent incursions/airspace breaches.