Conditional RA (Restricted Area) status
The status of restricted areas (RAs) appears in the DAH and ERSA and is presented in a table on the VTC/VNC. This status indicates which types of restricted airspace it is possible to get a clearance through. NOTAMS are issued to list activation times and levels for military restricted airspace and MUST ALWAYS be consulted before flights through these areas to avoid airspace infringements.
RA conditional status legend
RA1: Pilots may flight plan through the RA and, under normal circumstances, expect a clearance from ATC.
RA2: Pilots must not flight plan through the RA unless on a route specified in ERSA GEN FPR, or by agreement with the Department of Defence. However, a clearance from ATC is not assured. Other tracking may be offered through the RA on a tactical basis.
RA3: Pilots must not flight plan through the RA and clearances will not be available. Surrounding the Gold Coast are several restricted military areas. Military airspace is activated by NOTAM and may become active at short notice. Check the status prior to going flying using the following codes and, if in doubt while airborne, check with ATC on the frequency you are on.
Military airspace
Canungra: R634A is RA3.
Overfly above 3800 ft if R634B is not active. R634B is RA2. This airspace extends to 8500 ft above 634A and is activated by NOTAM. To transit around, track north-east of Eagle Heights to pick up the VFR route at Nerang, or vice versa.
Caution: low level CTA steps south of Nerang. Clearance will be necessary.
Evans Head: Evans Head is a Military Air Weapons Range to the south of the Gold Coast and is activated by NOTAM. R609 is RA3 while R609A/B/C/D are RA1, (NAIPS code EVX or 0943). High speed jet operations within the airspace require civil pilots to plan carefully and be aware of their location at all times. Aircraft wishing to access Evans Head aerodrome should consult ERSA for flight procedures.
Amberley: Amberley Airbase lies to the north west of Gold Coast. Overlapping civil and military airspace, with operations from high-speed jets to heavy transport and with multiple restricted and danger areas, make the configuration complex and potentially hazardous. Pilots need to plan carefully and be aware of their location at all times.
The Amberley military control zone begins approximately 8 nm from Archerfield, from SFC-8500 ft. R625A is to the north of the Amberley CTR and has a lower limit (LL) of 1500 ft. R625B lies to the west and south of the CTR and has a LL of 2500 ft.
Amberley control zone, R625A/B/C/D that are all RA1, (NAIPS codes YAMB, Amberley East Airspace AEX or 0939, Amberley Airspace AMX or 0941, Amberley West Airspace AWX or 0940).
Short notice and partial activation of the AMB CTR and associated restricted areas may occur outside of TWR hours. It is the pilot’s responsibility to check and monitor the status.