ATSB told Sydney ATCs ‘not ready’ for WSI airspace changes

“The reporter is concerned that the ATC cohort within the TCU is underprepared to safely manage the complex changes associated with the forthcoming opening of [WSI], primarily bought about by inadequate training for controllers, of all experience levels,” the ATSB said.

“The reporter states they also speak for others in the ATC cohort, advising they have minimal confidence in their ability to handle the new airspace and procedures under normal traffic levels.

“The reporter advised that over 50 controllers in Sydney have responded to a survey run by Civil Air (the union for Australian air traffic controllers) and it appears the majority hold grave concerns about the project.”

According to the ATSB, the reporter had supplied “approximately 1,000 pages of training material” on new Airspace Classes, rules and dimensions; new internal and external coordination requirements; new system processing interpretations, which many ATCs consider as serious Human Factors issues; and new procedures affecting aircraft at all Sydney Basin airports.

“The reporter speaks on behalf of the majority of the ATC cohort when they advise there is serious concern regarding the lack of a lengthy training timetable, to assimilate such an enormous amount of highly detailed and complex material,” the ATSB said.

“The reporter is concerned there are similarities to the ATC situation in Washington whereby the controllers were pleading with their local management for changes to be made in the months leading up to the mid-air collision.”

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In a statement, Civil Air president Scott Nugent confirmed a “number of concerns were raised” following the survey, and said the union “met regularly [with Airservices] in advance of the 9 July implementation to address any issues raised by our members, including some of those mentioned in the REPCONs that have now been reported on”.

“Civil Air was comfortable with the outcomes achieved prior to implementation, however the Union remains in ongoing discussion with Airservices to resolve any outstanding teething issues,” he said.

“Some of these issues exist in Sydney but also in Melbourne and Brisbane Centres. We are aware that a Post Implementation Review is underway that includes Controllers and representatives from Civil Air.

“Civil Air strongly supports a rigorous reporting culture and encourages our members to submit REPCONs to the ATSB if they deem necessary. The REPCON process is an important feature of our aviation safety system and should be supported and encouraged by all stakeholders.”

In its own response, CASA said it was “satisfied that Airservices Australia has implemented appropriate training, procedures, and operational support arrangements for the introduction of Western Sydney International Airport and the associated Sydney Basin airspace changes”.

“Relevant procedures and training were developed and reviewed by operational subject matter experts, standards personnel, and project teams prior to implementation,” the regulator said.

“While CASA acknowledges the concerns raised by the reporter regarding controller readiness and workload, CASA is satisfied that these matters were considered through the approval process and will continue to be monitored through normal regulatory oversight activities.”

An Airservices spokesperson said it “undertook extensive preparation for the 9 July airspace changes in Sydney, including targeted training for affected controller groups, operational and safety assurance work, flight validation and additional supervisory support during the transition”.

“Airservices welcomes CASA’s confirmation that it is satisfied appropriate training, procedures and operational support arrangements were put in place for the introduction of Western Sydney International Airport and the associated Sydney Basin airspace changes,” the spokesperson said.

“The REPCON reports published by the ATSB record concerns raised by individuals. They are not findings by the ATSB that the airspace changes were unsafe or that Sydney air traffic controllers were unprepared.

“In responding to the concerns, CASA confirmed that relevant procedures and training were developed and reviewed by operational subject matter experts, standards personnel and project teams before implementation.

“CASA also said it was satisfied that concerns relating to controller readiness and workload had been considered through the approval process and would continue to be monitored through normal regulatory oversight.”

WSI opened to freight last month, with passenger flights to begin in October.