An airspace review completed by CASA's Office of Airspace Regulation has recommended the Class E airspace above Avalon airport be removed and the control zone upgraded to Class C.
Avalon is currently a Class D tower with Class E airspace over the top and the to the north and south, with Class C overlying the northern quadrants.
The review found that the architecture was "complex, confusing and non-standard" and that it needed to be simplified to avoid uncertainty. The OAR recommended Class C as the most appropriate classification.
"The air traffic control (ATC) services at Avalon are consistent with services provided at other locations where a Class C Control Zone (CTR) has been established ... Airservices Australia should review the airspace design and submit to CASA an Airspace Change Proposal to remove the Class E in accordance with the report's findings and to ensure the airspace classification aligns with the appropriate level of air traffic service at Avalon."
The review report cites several incidents of loss of separation between aircraft at Avalon including some that resulted in TCAS resolution advisories or alerts.
Avalon has several ALAs in the vicinity including Barwon Heads, Ceres, Little River, Wooloomanata, Little River/Rothwell, Drysdale and St Leonards. LIttle River is within the current Class D CTR and requires a clearance to arrive and depart the airstrip.
The full airspace review is available on the CASA consultation hub. Stakeholders have until 3 February to submit feedback.