The concern related to the new KEVIE 1A STAR procedure for arrivals into Brisbane. The reporter advised that the new procedure took aircraft very low at a significant distance from the airport and in an area which frequently experienced turbulence.
The reporter expressed a safety concern regarding the new KEVIE 1A STAR procedure for arrivals into Brisbane. The reporter advised that the procedure requires the aircraft to be at or below 5,000 ft at position KEVIE. This position is 20 NM west of Brisbane directly over the Daguilar Range. The sector minimum safe altitude is 3,700 ft, and the highest terrain is approximately 2,500 ft with a mast at 2,708 ft. This position is 34 NM (Runway 01) and 39 NM (Runway 19) to run depending on the runway in use. The reporter is concerned that the considerable distance to run will force aircraft to 'dive and drive' to make the height requirement, with typical rates of descent for turbine aircraft being around 2,000 ft per minute. This potentially leaves aircraft with approximately one minute to the ground should they descend below the assigned altitude.
The reporter is also concerned that the turbulence produced by the mountains, either convective or lee / mountain waves, at these low levels could potentially result in injuries or damage to the aircraft. The reporter suggests that the altitude should be raised to 8,000 - 10,000 ft and the altitude requirement should be proactively waived by ATC should there be no traffic management requirements to be so low at that distance to run to the runway.
Airservices Australia (Airservices) appreciates the opportunity to respond to the reporter's safety concerns regarding the new KEVIE 1A STAR arrival procedure into Brisbane.
Airservices clarifies that the KEVIE 1A STAR procedure was recently implemented as a result of the Brisbane Basin Airspace Review undertaken to address workload and capacity issues within Brisbane Basin airspace.
The procedure was designed in accordance with Airservices procedural design safety standards and Airservices inspection of the KEVIE 1A STAR procedure confirmed that the procedure meets the required terrain and obstacle clearance standards.
Airservices acknowledges the reporter's concern regarding the potential unintended consequences of the new procedure (i.e. potential fly-ability issues and concerns regarding unintended descent below the procedure) and notes that a Post Implementation Review (PIR) of the recent changes to Brisbane Basin airspace is scheduled for 10 December 2013.
Airservices will raise the reporter's concerns at the upcoming PIR with the view to discuss and identify potential options to resolve the matter.
CASA has reviewed the REPCON and will monitor Airservices post implementation review of the new STAR procedures.
REPCON received the following advice from Airservices Australia:
As mentioned in previous correspondence, the reporter's concern was discussed at the Post Implementation Review (PIR) of recent changes to Brisbane Basin airspace.
The PIR reconfirmed Airservices previous comments that the KEVIE 1A STAR procedure was designed in accordance with the required terrain and obstacle clearance standards. In addition, Airservices clarified with Industry that the level restrictions in the procedure were primarily for separation assurance and segregation of aircraft considerations.
Industry operators who have flown the STAR stated the fly-ability issues were due to the non-profile decent pushing aircraft low in a more turbulence affected airspace.
Agreement was reached to manage the situation tactically via pilot and ATC techniques and procedures.
Airservices will also continue to monitor the use of the procedures.