The REPCON raised concerns that radio congestion and interference at Port Augusta (YPAG) was due to the aerodrome being on the same multicom frequency (126.7) as multiple other aerodromes, including Port Pirie. While the creation of the Spencer Gulf Broadcast Area on 126.9 has removed some aerodromes from the same frequency as YPAG; Port Pirie remains on the same frequency. In addition, a relatively busy aerodrome in Whyalla, which was previously on a separate frequency to YPAG, is now also on the same CTAF as YPAG and Port Pirie. Occurrence brief AB-2021-017 regarding a near collision…

Safety outcome: Upon review of the available topographic information, Airservices introduced depiction of the Finley township with a yellow dot on the VNC 1:500 000 scale in the MAP61 cycle, effective 17 June 2021.

ATSB Comment: The ongoing management of certification and airworthiness is a regulatory matter for CASA and RAAus. The ATSB notes the reporter’s concerns and will continue to monitor the LSA process for potential safety issues.

The ATSB was satisfied with the operator's response and did not seek an additional response from the Office of the National Rail Safety Regulator.

The operator and the regulator advised that they were satisfied the appropriate risk management, management of change, human factors and consultation procedures of the SMS were conducted. 

Airservices is proposing to introduce enhanced traffic services, in Class G airspace, through the provision of the Surveillance Flight Information Service (SFIS) at selected regional non-towered aerodromes across Australia. The SFIS is the provision of traffic information to IFR/IFR, IFR/VFR, and VFR/VFR aircraft operating within a CASA declared broadcast area using the aerodrome’s discrete CTAF. All aircraft operating in the aerodrome’s broadcast area will be required to comply with existing CTAF and Class G rules and recommendations. Aircraft will also be required to broadcast their…

ATSB sought clarification from the regulator following the Airservices response, the regulator’s comments below: The OAR has not approached Airservices for a discrete frequency for Ballina as a different frequency will not solve the underlying issues. The instrument approaches for Ballina and Lismore overlap and having both aerodromes on the same frequency enhances situational awareness. It is not appropriate for aircraft to operate in close proximity to each other and be on different radio frequencies. The main issue at Ballina relates to radio communication – aircraft not broadcasting on…