FED: Airspace trial abandoned

AAP General News (Australia)
12-09-1998
FED: Airspace trial abandoned

CANBERRA, Dec 9 AAP - A controversial new airspace trial has been abandoned due to safety
concerns.

The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) today announced it would abandon the trial,
which began in October, after the Bureau of Air Safety Investigation (BASI) found critical
safety issues had not been addressed.

The Class G airspace trial was operating between Canberra and Ballina in New South Wales.

Both the RAAF and the air ambulance restricted their flights in the Class G airspace
system, while Qantas at one stage cancelled flights to four regional cities because of the new
rules.

Transport Minister John Anderson said CASA had decided to end the trial because of the
concerns.

However, the old directed traffic information system could not be reinstated until Sunday.

"It cannot be reintroduced immediately because the affected flight service and air traffic
control staff need to refamiliarise themselves with the system's requirements," Mr Anderson
said.

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KEYWORD: AIRSPACE

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