CASA's Office of Airspace Regulation (OAR) will split the current Ballina-Byron mandatory broadcast zone into three different frequencies to reduce congestion on the airwaves.
The move is the result of consultation with stakeholders and is thought to be the first of several measures that will be introduced to increase safety in the crowded Ballina area.
From 16 June this year, Lismore, Casino and Evans Head airports will have their own CTAF frequencies, and Ballina-Byron Gateway will remain an MBZ on the existing frequency.
The new frequencies will be:
- Ballina – 124.2 (no change)
- Lismore and Casino – 132.45
- Evans Head – Multicom 126.7
It will remain mandatory to carry and use a radio and meet broadcast requirements within the Ballina broadcast area (YBNA) as per CASR Part 91.
When the Ballina Surveillance Flight Information Service (SFIS)is operating, all IFR aircraft commencing a published Lismore RWY 33 Instrument Approach via a position south and west of the extended centreline of RWY 15/33 will no longer need to broadcast on the Ballina frequency and should remain on the new Lismore CTAF.
The new changes come into effect on 16 June 2022, but will not be reflected in ERSA, on charts or in DAPs until the December publishing cycle.
More information is on the CASA website.