Military/Restricted Operations

Special Use Airspace (SUA)

SUAs, formerly known as Restricted Areas (RAs), are scattered all over Australian airspace. In real life, they can be used for many different purposes, including, but not limited to:

• Military Activity (Most common)
• Live Firing
• Airshows
• Operationally Restricted Airspace
• Radiation Hazards
• Rocket Launches

Although the majority of these things don't pose any hazards in the online environment, activations of SUAs should still be simulated on VATSIM, and aircraft should be kept clear of them.

SUAs on vatSys

Vertical Limits

The Restricted Areas cover various altitudes, and these can be seen either in the Restricted Areas window in vatSys, the ERSA, or by referencing VTC, VNC, ERC and TAC charts.

Separation

It is the pilots responsibility to remain clear of Restricted Areas, however, that does not mean they always do!

OCTA

Outside controlled airspace, it is the responsibility of the controller to provide Safety Alerts on aircraft that will shortly enter, or have already entered, active restricted areas.

Example

CBW: "Safety Alert, VFR aircraft overhead Cotter tracking southbound 2500, you will shortly be entering R430 restricted area, clearance not available, suggest immediate left turn to avoid"

Example

CNK: "VFR aircraft overhead YCNK 3500 tracking westbound, confirm you will be remaining clear of the R564 restricted area?"
To which they will almost always reply with either "Affirm" or "Huh?"

For aircraft unfamiliar with the restricted area, provide suggested headings to avoid. Get the aircraft to squawk ident to temporarily identify them. Remember that you cannot vector aircraft OCTA.

CTA

You must separate all aircraft in controlled airspace by half the applicable lateral standard from a Restricted Area (ie, 1.5nm for TCU, 2.5nm for Enroute). Aircraft operating at the vertical limits of Restricted Areas are considered to be separated from it.

Activation times

Some Restricted Areas are not always active. Some may be active only on certain days, or certain hours of the day. More info can be found in the ERSA, or on the Restricted Areas window in vatSys

NOTAM

Some Restricted Areas will be activated by NOTAM, most commonly for use by RAAF Virtual. These are available on the VATPAC NOTAMs Page. These Restricted Areas will automatically become active on vatSys with AIRAC updates, so they are visually displayed on the screen.

Example

Example Restricted Area Activation NOTAM

Aircraft operating inside Restricted Area

Military aircraft are permitted to operate within their designated Restricted Area as per the relevant NOTAM. Even if this Restricted Area is inside your airspace, you have no control authority over it.

Example

ARA: "DRGN379, shortly entering R604 Restricted Area, identification and control services terminated, frequency change approved. Contact me prior to leaving for airways clearance"
DRGN379: "Wilco, DRGN379"

ATC Activated Military Airspace

Most Military TCUs and Tower positions, when online, control airspace that correspond to certain Restricted Area Activations. These are prescribed in the Local Instructions.

These Restricted Areas may be activated in vatSys, and the controllers of these positions may inform other surrounding controllers of their activations, so they may use the Resitricted Areas on the screen to visually assess the airspace and separation required for traffic.

Unless otherwise stated in Local Instructions, Restricted Areas activated for control by Military TCUs and Towers, will become Class C airspace.

Formation Flights

Reserved.

Military Authority Assumes Responsibility for Separation of Military Aircraft (MARSA)

Reserved.

NOCOM Operations

Reserved.