The Australian Aeronautical Information Publication requirement for flight crews to confirm automatic terminal information service (ATIS) identifier with air traffic control did not provide positive assurance that crews had received the information in full, which included essential information on aerodrome conditions, and there were no standard air traffic control communication procedures for providing this assurance.
To be advised
In relation to the identified safety issue, Airservices provided the following advice:
Airservices in consultation with CASA are examining three change proposals to ATC procedures in providing essential aerodrome information associated with runway works which reduce available runway lengths. It's important to note, early consultation with industry is currently being undertaken and proposals may adjust based on the feedback and safety assessments. At this stage it's expected the proposals would be implemented in March 2026 subject to final ASA/CASA approvals.
Change proposal #1:
Currently the terminology used on the ATIS is 'REDUCED RUNWAY LENGTH(S) IN OPERATION', with optional additional terminology available for reporting TORA and LDA, although in practice this has generally been provided. The change proposes to make the reporting of reduced TORA and LDA mandatory, and the terminology prefixed with a CAUTION warning. eg 'CAUTION, REDUCED RUNWAY LENGTH IN OPERATION [RUNWAY XX], TORA (xxxx) METRES, LANDING DISTANCE AVAILABLE (xxxx) METRES'.
Change proposal #2:
ATC procedures contain a list of take-off and landing information required to be provided to aircraft who have not reported in receipt of the current ATIS. Where essential aerodrome information is provided by NOTAM, it's not required for ATC to provide this information again with the take-off and landing information. This change will add reduced runway length information due to runway works to the list of items that need to be provided, using the same caution terminology as proposal #1.
Change proposal #3:
Introduce phraseology in AIP for use when issuing taxi clearance to a runway with reduced runway length due to runway works, including the CAUTION terminology. eg 'TAXI TO HOLDING POINT (xx), CAUTION REDUCED RUNWAY LENGTH [RUNWAY xxx]'. Introduce phraseology in AIP for use for arrivals on first contact with tower frequency, or prior to a landing clearance being issued to a runway with a displaced threshold. eg 'CAUTION, THRESHOLD [RUNWAY xxx] DISPLACED'. Industry is also being consulted if additional phraseology is required where threshold is not displaced, however runway works have impacted the landing distance available.
Airservices Australia advised that, subject to industry and CASA consultation, and internal safety assessments, the plan was to implement all 3 change proposals.
The procedural change proposals outlined for the provision of essential aerodrome information directly address the identified safety issue. If implemented as proposed, the procedures will provide increased assurance that flight crews have received and are aware of safety-critical information, such as temporary runway restrictions. The ATSB will monitor for implementation of the proposed changes to ensure that the safety issue is adequately addressed.
