FIVE Northern Tasmanian rifle ranges were forced to close last week following air safety concerns from the Civil Aviation Safety Authority.
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The Tasmanian Gun Club's Evandale range, a Blessington range and three ranges owned by the Esk Field and Game, Tamar Pistol Club and Northern Midlands Sporting Clays, were all temporarily closed on Wednesday.
The safety authority said that shot shells could reach up to 1000 metres, a claim rubbished by Tasmania Gun Club secretary Alan Styles.
``Shot shells have a max range of 220 to 230 metres if fired at an angle to achieve maximum distance,'' Mr Styles said.
``A 12-gauge shotgun would only fire a shot at 50 or 60 metres so that's not really going to bring down an aircraft.''
Mr Styles said it was the first time in the club's 50-year history that it had been prevented from using its Evandale range.
He said he was unsure when the range would re-open but it was understood that it could take months to rectify the problem.
CASA told range managers by email that the clubs could reopen their ranges once a dedicated observer was recruited to visually scan the airspace when the range was active.
The person must have the ability to call a temporary halt to firing when aircraft enter the range airspace.
``Additionally, Airservices Australia may require additional arrangements, such as direct communication and agreed procedures with Air Traffic Control,'' the authority said.
It told range managers that they needed to co-ordinate with Airservices Australia to determine and implement the safety requirements.
Several Hobart ranges have also been temporarily closed for similar safety concerns.
The Tasmanian Gun Club had to cancel a shooting event scheduled for today.
Mr Styles said the cancellation placed pressure on the club's finances.
``We rely on these events to pay for our insurance, tax and normal running expenses,'' he said.
``We need that income to be coming in or we cannot afford to operate.''
