Proposed temporary restricted areas for Military Exercise WADER 2026-1

Elements of the Australian Regular Army (ARA) and Royal Australian Navy (RAN) will be conducting ‘WADER 26-1’ over the period 28 February – 05 March 2026. Multiple rotary wing helicopters along with Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) will be operating in the proposed TRAs in the vicinity of Cowley Beach Training Area (CBTA) for the duration of the exercise period.

This activity will utilise existing Class G airspace surrounding CBTA, with the addition of TRA ‘SPECTRE’ and TRA ‘GHOST’ to support increased combat focused military rotary wing (RW) and Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) operations between the shore and RAN vessels.

Military aircraft and airspace controllers will monitor, and broadcast as necessary on designated civilian aviation frequencies (e.g. CTAF and aeronautical emergency frequency) when WADER26-1 airspace is active. Non-participant aircraft may request transit clearance through WADER26-1 airspace via a promulgated frequency and transit procedures detailed in the associated Aeronautical Information Publication Supplement (AIP SUP). Transit will be approved on a case-by-case basis where safe to do so.

PROPOSAL

Airspace

TRA ‘SPECTRE’ and TRA ‘GHOST’ are depicted in Figure 1 with dimensions as follows:

YBBB/TRA ‘SPECTRE’ 
Conditional Status: RA2
Military Flying
Lateral Limits: 173823S 1460149E then along counter clockwise arc of a circle radius 50.00NM centre 165101S 1454438E (YBCS/DME) – 173029S 1461658E – 173029S 1462127E – 175140S 1462127E – 175140S 1461010E – 174412S 1461011E – 174412S 1460203E then north along the Bruce Highway – 173823S 1460149E
Vertical Limits: SFC-3000
Hours of Activity: NOTAM
Controlling Authority: Tactical Air Control Party – Afloat (TACP-A)

YBBB/TRA ‘GHOST’
Conditional Status: RA1
Military Flying
Lateral Limits: 173823S 1460149E then along counter clockwise arc of a circle radius 50.00NM centre 165101S 1454438E (YBCS/DME) – 173029S 1461658E – 173029S 1462127E – 175140S 1462127E – 175140S 1461010E – 174412S 1461011E – 174412S 1460203E then north along the Bruce Highway – 173823S 1460149E 
Vertical Limits: 3000-6000
Hours of Activity: NOTAM
Controlling Authority: Tactical Air Control Party – Afloat (TACP-A)

Activation Timings

The airspace is proposed for activation between the 28 February – 05 March 2026 in accordance with Table 1. Activation of TRA ‘SPECTRE’ will be up to H24 to correspond with the military aviation rate of effort. However, airspace shall be deactivated in the event that a safety risk to civilian aircraft is not present.

Access to WADER26-1 airspace

TRA ‘SPECTRE’ will be RA2 status due to the increased UAS and RW operations and as such, non-priority civilian aircraft should plan to avoid it. TRA ‘SPECTRE’ has been designed to avoid common parachute jumping exercise (PJE) areas, and facilitate Dunk Island access, with a vertical limit that facilitates transits at or above 3000 feet (FT) AMSL. Aircraft tracking north/south can also avoid TRA ‘SPECTRE’ by remaining to the west of the Bruce Highway. 
Transits through TRA ‘GHOST’ (RA1) are expected and may be requested through the controlling authority using procedures detailed in the associated AIP SUP. Expected transit levels through TRA ‘GHOST’ will be between 3000-4000FT above mean seal level (AMSL).

Non-exercise crewed aircraft authorised for TRA transit will be deconflicted from all military activities by at least 1NM laterally or 1000FT vertically. Traffic information will be provided to all transiting aircraft. All YIFL instrument flight procedures (IFPs) will be affected by TRA ’SPECTRE’ and TRA ‘GHOST’ with use of the IFPs only available after clearance from the military airspace controllers. 

Priority Access

The following flights will be afforded priority by the Controlling Authority:

• Aircraft operating in the preservation of life or property (MEDEVAC, FFR, POL, SAR)
• Aircraft with a declared emergency, and
• Aircraft conducting an instrument approach to an aerodrome in IFR conditions (i.e. non-training). 

Future plans for Cowley Beach Airspace

Due to repeated use of these volumes, along with TRA ‘SHADE’ and ‘BANSHEE’, Defence is currently designing new fit for purpose airspace volumes that will be consulted for permanent declaration as restricted areas to meet exercise needs. Any proposed design will be published to AvSEF to obtain feedback from stakeholders.

Please see image below: 

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