Special Use Airspace overview
The permanent Special Use Airspace will be broken into six ‘Restricted Areas’ and six ‘Danger Areas’. These areas will be permanently designated, but only activated based on the requirements of the operator.
The Special Use Airspace includes:
• five Restricted Areas from the surface up to 6,000ft
• one Restricted Area from the surface up to 3,500ft
• three Danger Areas above 6,000ft
• three Danger Areas from surface, covering all heights.
The terms ‘Restricted Area’ and ‘Danger Area’ are internationally recognised and creating consistency for global airspace operators. The Restricted Areas allow Tāwhaki to manage the entry, exit and operations of aircraft. Danger Areas let airspace users know there is a potential danger to flying in the area.
Restricted Areas
Danger Areas
Activating the Special Use Airspace
The Special Use Airspace will be permanently designated but only activated by NOTAM to the altitude level required for the activity, at least 24 hours before use. Only operational areas required for the activities will be activated.
Pilots are required under Civil Aviation Rules to obtain and become familiar with all information concerning their flight and should be aware of the status of the Special Use Airspace prior to take-off.
Managing airspace
Tāwhaki National Aerospace Centre will be the ‘Administering Authority’ for the six Restricted Areas. This will involve:
- an Airspace Coordinator coordinating entry, operation in and exit from the Restricted Areas
- providing pre-approval to transit the Restricted Areas through Tāwhaki Airspace User Briefings.
Tāwhaki National Aerospace Centre will act as the ‘Using Agency’ for the six Danger Areas. This will involve:
- checking an operator’s CAA Certification
- checking Operational Specification information permits to ensure the activity will occur within the Special Use Airspace.
‘Test operators’ are users who have been authorised to conduct activities from Tāwhaki National Aerospace Centre. This could include uncrewed aircraft, autonomous systems, space-based technologies and supporting capabilities for the wider airspace system.
Using Tāwhaki airspace
Tāwhaki will enable access from other airspace users to the Restricted Areas:
- when it is safe to do so,
- when users have received pre-approval
- if the aircraft has a VHF radio to communicate with the Administering Authority.
Pre-approval can be provided once users have received a Tāwhaki Airspace User Briefing covering procedures for the Tāwhaki aerodrome and airspace operations, and agreement the aircraft is flown in accordance with these procedures. This will ensure all airspace users are familiar with:
- the activities which can take place at Tāwhaki National Aerospace Centre
- when and who to contact when requesting entry to the Restricted Area
- how to operate within the Restricted Area
- procedures for exiting the Restricted area
- emergency situations
- general contact points.
To register for a Tāwhaki Airspace User Briefing, please email info@tāwhaki.co.nz.
Airspace status
The activation status of the Tāwhaki Special Use Airspace will be broadcast on a dedicated VHF frequency.
Inactive and no planned activation for that day
A pre-recorded message will be broadcast on a loop: “All Tāwhaki Special Use Airspace is inactive, repeat, inactive.”
Inactive with planned activation for that day
A pre-recorded message will be broadcast on a loop: “Caution – Airspace activation planned for today from “nnnn” hours local. Check NOTAM for details.”
Active
The Airspace Coordinator will:
- monitor and communicate with airspace users on the frequency using a dedicated Callsign.
- make radio calls on the neighbouring Banks Peninsula CFZ and Ashburton CFZ announcing both activation and deactivation.
Once deactivated, the Airspace Coordinator will:
- issue a radio call on that the Special Use Airspace has been deactivated.
- reactivate the automated message
- continue to monitor frequencies for 15 minutes.
Contact
Tāwhaki National Aerospace Centre will provide advanced notice of active Areas in NOTAM and live information via VHR Radio. Contact details will be included in NOTAM.
Airways New Zealand will manage IFR air traffic when areas are active.