The published limits (unless there are multiple airspace regions with contiguous limits) are available for OCTA aircraft, whether below, as commonly used by light aircraft, or above, as can be used by MIL FJ traffic up in the rarefied heights. I love the SR71 story about the Kadena notice: "Though I Fly Through the Valley of Death I Shall Fear No Evil - For I am at 80,000 Feet and Climbing".

If you are flying in, and wish to maintain the traffic protection of CTA, then one would adopt a margin above/below (as appropriate to) the published limit. 500 ft is the usual story for the low flyers. This applies climbing, cruising, or descending. A bit silly not to do so when the bandits may well be at the published UL/LL,

A student once asked,
"Why do they call it the lower limit of controlled airspace when aircraft flying at that level are not controlled. Shouldn't it be called the upper limit of uncontrolled airspace?" I'm still trying to think of an answer to that one..

Thanks John, and Bob, If I understand you both, and really this is for the purposes of the CASA examination
If flying in CTA, we stay above the lower limit in climbing and descending. If we are OCTA, then stay 500 below the lower limit of the control zone? Im just trying to get my head around how CASA wants the exam question answered

Kind regards
Ravi
and thank you

Have search of the AIP for 500ft.

ENR 1.1 - 8 para 2.5.3.3 &
ENR 1.5 - 15 para 1.15.3 &
ENR 1.5 - 17 para 1.16.1

Departing and arriving traffic "must remain not less than 500 ft above the lower limit of the CTA"

Cheers W

[color=blue]If we are OCTA, then stay 500 below the lower limit of the control zone?[/color]

Ravi,

By all means, should you wish to do so. However, the published limits (provided there is no contiguous limit conflict) are available for OCTA aircraft. If the LL is, say, 6000 ft, then you are perfectly able to fly at 6000ft OCTA. It is up to the guys and gals [color=blue]inside[/color] CTA to keep out of your way by maintaining some clearance from the published limit.

It can get a tad awkward with lateral limits, eg a DME arc.. There are some words in the rule books about a bit of a pad to make sure you are outside the lateral limits. If I may relate an anecdote from a long time ago: Back on the three-holer (B727) in AN days, we were motoring over from PER to ASP, As we had to run a bit to the side of Pine Gap, it occurred that the good passenger folk probably would like to see the hush-hush facility. The lateral limit on our side was the local highway so down we came to a suitable height (I had to be able to measure distances from the highway to the miilimetre) and I handflew past Pine Gap with my port wingtip running along my side of the highway.

Well !! Did those good folk on the ground get their knickers in a knot or two. However, we talked our way out of being summarily executed when we got to ASP.

Thanks Wayne

Thanks John, Im afraid I sadly missed the opportunity to fly like you did
when I was younger. Still Im doing my CPL now, not that Ill ever work as a pilot
but its good to do new things.
I cant change the begiining but I can make the changes now to determine the end

Cheers

R

Ravi,

As was the case for me, in parallel. I well recall going into SU back in the 60s to enrol in medicine. Idly having a coffee in the Union, I perused the Year Book. Came across Engineering, then Aero Engineering. Up until that point, I had always misunderstood engineers to be those guys at the local garage who greased the cars, etc. Having had the good fortune that those fine RAAF folks paid for my PPL via an ATC flying scholarship the previous year, I gave my future career about 10 seconds' thought and gave medicine the flick for Aero. I would have made a dreadful GP.

So, while you may have avoided all the fun and games flying commercially, I missed all the blood and gore of the operating table. You win some, lose some, and always have a few "what ifs" thereafter. However, I've had a ball as, no doubt, have you.

The additional stuff you learn for CPL will never be a burden to carry. Enjoy the flying as a hobby.

Thank you John, agreed!