Within the Cairns area there is one busy airport – Cairns International– and in addition to AD CTAF’s there is one Non Standard CTAF over the Great Barrier Reef. The Great Barrier Reef CTAF is an area of high density helicopter and fixed wing traffic over the reef. Refer to the VTC for lateral dimensions.

Controlled Airspace around Cairns consists of Class C CTA Steps to 36 DME designed to closely contain the climb/descent profiles of typical RPT aircraft and to accommodate the high terrain within the vicinity of Cairns.

Cairns Approach is responsible for the Class C airspace on frequencies 118.4 and 126.1. RIS Class G airspace is provided by Cairns Approach on frequency 126.1 subject to controller workload.

The hours of operation of both Cairns Tower and Approach are H24.

 

The western VFR corridor has changed to assist with navigation in this section and to reposition it further away from high terrain areas.
The following changes became effective on 1 September 2005 and have been incorporated in the current issue of the Cairns VTC:

1. The section between the Earlville and Smithfield Shopping Centres has been made a straight line;
2. The magnetic tracks to/from these Shopping Centres have been included:
   SMITHFIELD to EARLVILLE track 149°
   EARLVILLE to SMITHFIELD track 329°
3. The LAT/LONGs of the Shopping Centres have been included:
   SMITHFIELD (SHOPPING CENTRE) S16 50.0 E145 41.0
   EARLVILLE (SHOPPING CENTRE) S16 57.3 E145 44.3
   
4. The main Cairns Bypass road between Earlville and joining the Cook Hwy just south of Smithfield has been added to the VTC. This road is a prominent feature and runs close to the new section of the corridor.

Refer to the enlarged pictorial representation of the Western VFR corridor on the side of the current VTC for more details

 

The majority of VCA’s that do occur around Cairns are normally associated with pilots not calling for clearance early enough.

Radar coverage is very good but only in the arc 340 clockwise to 080. In all other directions terrain shielding may reduce coverage below about A040. Additionally aircraft not in the northeast quadrant and without a serviceable transponder will not be detected by the primary radar until in the vicinity of the Cairns Control Zone boundary.

There is normally no problem with calling early for clearance into or to transit Cairns airspace.

RADAR services are limited in some areas: Flying from the north approaching Wangetti aircraft below A020 Flying from the south approaching Yarrabah below A030; Flying from the southwest in the Atherton to Gordonvale area below A030; Flying along the Western VFR Corridor between Edmonton (EDT) and Redlynch (REDL).

When requesting a clearance into Class C airspace be sure to call Cairns Approach on 126.1 early (at least 10Nm prior to the boundary if details previously submitted. A larger distance is required if no details have been submitted.). This is so you can receive your transponder code; your details can be coordinated and avoid possible delays at the control area boundary.

 

It is essential that pilots wishing to remain in Class G airspace but experiencing difficulties due to terrain and/or weather problems contact Cairns ATS as early as possible so that a suitable clearance or a RIS can be arranged.

 

 

There are no published recommended VFR routes to remain clear of the Cairns Control zone. There are two VFR routes within the control zone the most common being the Western VFR Corridor. See Important information below. Refer to the enlarged pictorial representation of the Western VFR corridor on the side of the current VTC for more details.

 

Western VFR Corridor There is one major VFR route through the CTR designed to process VFR traffic clear of the departure and arrival paths of RWY15/33. This is known as the Western VFR Corridor. This Corridor is in close proximity to the RWY 15LLZ and the RWY 33 LLZ and pilots must adhere to the tracking requirements specified in the Cairns entry in AIP ERSA to ensure separation with aircraft tracking via the LLZ.

 

Notable Restricted Areas around Cairns:

• Several Restricted/Danger Areas exist within the Cairns area:
• R767 – Naval firing activated by NOTAM
• R778 – Naval firing activated by NOTAM
• R766 – Environmental Restricted Area, SFC-3000, H24
• D762 – Parachute Activity, HJ
• D769A-B – Flying Training, SFC-2500, HJ
• D771A-D – Flying Training, SFC-4500, HJ

 

Cairns ATC provides ATS services within 36 miles of Cairns H24. The Terminal Unit control positions are:

• Approach 1 – Provides services to aircraft in Class C airspace broadly in the area to the east of Cairns .
• Approach 2 – Provides services to aircraft in Class C airspace broadly in the area to the west of Cairns and to all aircraft in Class G airspace within 36 miles of Cairns .

Support services are provided by:

• Planner/Flow – sequencing
• Operational Supervisor – overall supervision of the Terminal Unit.
  

Remember that ATC is here to help you. If in doubt ask! A controller would much rather help you avoid a situation than have to help you get out of one. Controllers are there to keep everyone as safe as possible.