This simulation is based on Melbourne Center’s Katoomba Sector.
The airspace is located to the west of Sydney from 45nm to approximately
160nm, and handles a variety of traffic flows. The main
flows are inbound and outbound traffic from Sydney to the west, along with
transiting traffic between Melbourne and Brisbane. The airspace
also comprises RPT turboprop aircraft into NSW regional centers, as well
as IFR/VFR GA traffic (IFR GA traffic simulated only).
The Katoomba Sector resides roughly between Katoomba in the east
to Parkes in the west, and Mudgee in the north to Cowra in the south.
All Australian airspace now employs RVSM between FL290 and FL410 inclusive.
The sector’s controlled airspace utilizes three ICAO airspace classifications. Class ‘A’ Airspace resides between FL285 – FL600, below this is Class ‘C’ , which extends from FL125 to FL285, although the base rises to FL200 at a boundary line approximately 120nm west of SY, this is depicted by a green line in the simulation. Below the Class ‘C’ is Class ‘E’ airspace which has a lower limit at 8500ft, this airspace ends at the green line boundary, where Class ‘G’ airspace extends up to FL200 (ie base of Class ‘C’). The exception to this is a section at the top left of the sector, around Dubbo (DU), where Class ‘E’ extends from F125 to FL200, this is depicted by a pink boundary in the simulation . The airspace to the east of the green line boundary below the Class ‘E’ ( i.e. from SFC to 8500ft) is Class ‘G’ airspace.
Regional A/D are non-tower and are categorized as CTAF (Common Taffic
Advisory Frequency). Dubbo and Orange are the only exception and
is categorized a MBZ (Mandatory Broadcast Zone).
This sector is responsible for departing traffic from Sydney Kingsford
Smith International (YSSY) on routes tracking to the west.
The departing YSSY flights will be on a 16R KAMPI or DEENA SID with either
a KAT or RIC transition. Flights will appear on screen at A080
at GLF heading towards KAT or RIC.
From KAT, flights will track via PKS for destinations to Central Australia (YBHI, YAYE & YBAS) and South East Asia (WSSS, VTBD, WRRR, WIII, WMKK, RPMM). Flights tracking to CWR will either be destined for Adelaide (YPAD) or Perth (YPPH). Traffic entering the sector at RIC will be tracking for NYN and are generally destined for Darwin (YPDN) or South East Asia.
All flights will be in an initial climb to FL280, further climb to the
planned cruising level is usually given on initial contact subject to crossing
traffic.
Arrivals for YSSY will enter the sector at PKS, where a STAR clearance
is issued on first contact. Flights usually will be given the RIVET
STAR, which involves tracking via MAKKA-TARAL-RIVET-SY. Depending
on traffic conditions, direct tracking can be issued to either TARAL or
even RIVET. During light traffic, an alternate ODALE START
may be given, such as tracking from PKS direct BIK then ODALE-SY (note
the simulation will keep the START points for the RIVET arrival, although
the flight will be handed over and disappear from the screen before reaching
BIK)
All flights are given descent clearance to FL250 beyond PKS subject to crossing traffic (especially Melbourne-Brisbane traffic). If there are multiple arriving traffic, flow control can be issued to sequence flights to be at RIVET 15nm in-trail or 2 minutes longitudinal separation. Direct tracking for some flights also help.
The simulation does not include the busy Melbourne-Sydney or Canberra
-Sydney traffic (as this sector does not take in these routes), which inbound
flights from PKS would need to be considered for sequencing.
The Melbourne/Brisbane traffic flows on two unidirectional routes,
all traffic are in the cruise. Northbound flights enter the
sector at around CWR (SIL fix given in the simulation is called FIR02)
and exit at MDG. The southbound traffic enters the sector at GIZMO
and exit at approximately 30nm south of PKS.
This traffic usually conflicts with outbound flights from YSSY and inbound
flights via PKS. Flights on these tracks are generally between
Melbourne International (YMML) and Brisbane (YBBN), although there are
flights from Coolangatta (YBCG) and Maroochydore (YBMC) in Queensland and
Essendon (YMEN) in Melbourne.
Flights from Southern Queensland to Canberra (YSCB) enter
the sector at GIZMO and usually track via PKS-YAS-CB. Traffic
permitting, direct tracking from GIZMO-CWR can be given, these flights
must leave the sector at or below FL240 by 75nm from CB.
Flights departing Canberra climb usually to FL170, but a co-ordination
can be made with the other sector to climb these flights to FL240.
Conflict usually arises with arriving traffic into YSSY or departure on
the KAT-CWR route. Clearance to the planned cruising
level is given subject to crossing traffic as well as merging traffic on
the FIR02-MDG track.
Occasional overflighs of continental Australia for traffic destined
between SE Asia and New Zealand are included in the simulation.
Acft that enter the sector from the east should be assumed at the SY VOR
and not KAT. Likewise, handoff to the oceanic sector should
be made at SY.
Turboprop flights are included in the simulation, these flights
are mainly to and from YSSY and regional A/D. As these flights
eventually operate outside of controlled airspace, traffic information
on other IFR flights in the vicinity is passed on. All flights
departing regional A/D initially climb to a CFL, subject to traffic, these
flights can be cleared to their final cruising level.
All non-jet traffic destined for YSSY will track via the ODALE STAR, tracking BIK-ODALE-GFL-SY.
The following are regional Aerodromes in this sector.
Bathurst
YBTH
Cowra
YCWR
Orange
YORG
Young
YYNG
Cudal
YCUA
Forbes
YFBS
Parkes
YPKS
Dubbo
YSDU
General aviation flights operate not only between regional centers
and also Sydney’s Bankstown GAAP A/D (YSBK). Flights
departing YSBK have a tendency to conflict with YSSY departures, if necessary
altitude restrictions may be required to stop STCA warnings in the Sydney
TMA.
Flights destined for YSBK usually track via the WATLE STAR via WYATT.
Flights tracking westward leave controlled airspace if below FL200 at the
mentioned green line boundary.
For screen shots showing examples of the various traffic flows, click
here.
It is useful to have two Radar Windows open, one set to long range
and the other zoomed in on the sector.
The long-range window should be set up to have Tamworth (TW) at the top of the screen and Canberra (CB) at the bottom. This way there is an adequate view of the projected inbound sector traffic.
The zoomed sector window should be set so that Sydney (SY) is at the right of the screen and Dubbo is clearly visible at the top left corner of the screen. Under the Video Map Selection, keep the ‘Lines’ selected as this assists with defining the boundaries of Class ‘C’ and ‘E’ airspace.
Click here for a detailed description on the Video Display Set-up.
Any suggestions or feedback is welcomed.
Author
Tony Brkic
abrkic@ozemail.com.au