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Output Number
R20060024
Approval Date
Organisation
Civil Aviation Safety Authority
Published Date Time
Recommendation type
Recommendation
Status
Closed - Action Taken
Mode
Aviation
Date released

Safety Issue: RNAV (GNSS) approach late
notice of air traffic control clearance.

Late notice of clearance by air traffic control to conduct an
RNAV (GNSS) approach was identified as the most common difficult
external condition affecting an RNAV (GNSS) approach, particularly
for high capacity airline pilots. An examination of opportunities
to improve training and/or procedures for pilots to help ensure
timely approach clearances is warranted.

Safety Recommendation

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau recommends that the Civil
Aviation Safety Authority, in conjunction with Airservices
Australia, address this safety issue.

Organisation Response
Date Received
Organisation
Civil Aviation Safety Authority
Response Status
Monitor
Response Text

In respect of recommendations 20060023 and 20060024, CASA is
happy to work with Airservices Australia on these issues. However,
CASA would appreciate further information on the type of training
enhancements envisaged by the recommendations, given that 86% of
those responding described the training as adequate, with 14% who
described it as inadequate citing lack of practice as the cause of
any problems.

ATSB Response

CASA noted the findings of the surveyed pilot population to the
questions about training for the RNAV (GNSS) approach endorsement.
However, the ATSB's intention with this recommendation was to draw
attention to one of the other findings, that some airline pilots
identified late clearances by air traffic control (ATC) to make an
RNAV (GNSS) approach caused additional time pressures during a busy
phase of flight, partially due to the extensive preparation airline
pilots conduct prior to these approaches.  Accordingly, we
made recommendation 20060023 (directed to Airservices Australia)
and 20060024 (directed to CASA), asking both agencies to consider
what additional training or education opportunities might exist to
ensure both pilots and controllers were aware of the respective
workloads of the other, so that requests for, or clearances for, an
RNAV (GNSS) approach could be advised in a timely manner. 
Hence, CASA might like to consider what information could be
provided to Airservices Australia to assist them alert air traffic
controllers to the difficulties that might be imposed by late
advice of an RNAV (GNSS) approach clearance. 

Similarly, CASA might consider what information could be
provided to aircrew, particularly in relation to ATC
responsibilities and workloads, that would better prepare them for
the possibility of a clearance for this type of approach being
issued later than desired. 

ATSB Response date
Date Received
Organisation
Civil Aviation Safety Authority
Response Text

In respect of Recommendation 20060024, while operational
practices and procedures for the provision of air traffic control
are the responsibility of Airservices Australia, CASA does
undertake operational surveillance of heir application. The issues
of clearance delivery or changes are well known to both
organisations and will continue to be reviewed. CASA well
understands the value of pilot education and awareness and will
continue to undertake such education with both the pilot and air
traffic controller community.