ANSP info/procedural error involving a Piper PA-31-325, VH-FHQ, 40 km north-west of Oakey, Queensland, on 3 May 1994

After departure the pilot's intention was to track through the Oakey restricted airspace if possible. He contacted Brisbane Flight Watch and requested the status of the Oakey airspace. The operator advised him that the airspace was de-activated. As the pilot believed that this was unusual, he asked for confirmation that the airspace was not active. The response was that that was correct.

The pilot then continued towards Toowoomba and monitored the Oakey MTAF, while operating his transponder in altitude reporting mode. A short time later he heard Brisbane Flight Service make an all-stations call asking the aircraft west of Oakey to call Oakey. He acknowledged that transmission and called Oakey. At this time, he was advised that his aircraft was some eight miles inside controlled airspace.

When the pilot advised the Oakey controller what had transpired the controller undertook to contact Brisbane. The airspace had been active for most of the day.

The Brisbane Flight Service officer was unable to explain why he had told the pilot that the airspace was not active. He had checked the status board and noted that the airspace was active but had reported it as not active. Workload at the time was normal for the position.