Military/Restricted Operations
Restricted Areas
Australian airspace is covered in Restricted Areas. Put simply, these are areas where aircraft are not allowed to go. They are shown in vatSys in yellow as below:
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
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"
Formation Flights
Reserved.
Military Authority Assumes Responsibility for Separation of Military Aircraft (MARSA)
Reserved.
NOCOM Operations
Reserved.